To use a roof rack on your vehicle, first, ensure it’s compatible with your car model. Attach the rack securely to the roof rails or crossbars, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Fasten your cargo onto the rack, distributing weight evenly, and tighten all straps or locks to prevent movement during travel.
How to Use a Roof Rack on Your Vehicle?
Sit alone in a dark room and think carefully about your last camping trip. What is on your mind? Perhaps you are thinking about the car’s trunk being full of stuff, which made the trip uncomfortable. Or maybe you think it would have been great if the vehicle had more space.
Most of the time, people don’t have enough space when they travel, which can be irritating. The solution to this problem is purchasing a roof rack. You can easily haul all the necessary gear with it.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re going fishing or heading towards a hill or mountain for a ski trip; a roof rack can always be helpful.
However, some people don’t know how to use a roof rack on a vehicle. If you’re one of them, don’t worry. Just relax and keep reading our article to know in detail about it. Here we go –
How to Use a Roof Rack on the Car
If you’re a frequent traveler and new to using a roof rack, you must know how to use it properly on your car. As someone who has been using roof racks for almost a decade, I am aware of the importance of using them appropriately.
If things go wrong, such as if your car damages property or other vehicles, you could face heavy fines or even jail time. Therefore, it’s crucial to use it correctly.
Now, let me show you how to use a roof rack on your car. Here we go –
Check the Roof Type
There are specific racks that fit certain roofs. There are four types of roofs: naked roofs, raised rails, flush rails, and fixed mounting points. As these types of roofs are currently available on the market, you need to choose the one compatible with your vehicle’s model and style.
So before buying a roof rack, make sure you learn the roof type of your car and purchase accordingly. Also, ensure that you’re buying a high-quality roof rack that can successfully carry the load you need to transport.
Weight Capacity
This is another critical consideration. You inevitably don’t want to overload your roof rack or roof. Before purchasing a roof rack, we all have an idea of what types of things we’re going to carry. For instance, you may want to carry skis on the rack or move family household items to the trails.
Whatever you plan to carry, remember to have a good idea before making the final decision. Now, a question may arise – what’s the reason behind it? Well, I’ll answer it for you!
For example, if your smartphone has 64 GB ROM, it means you can store data within this range. Can you store more than that? No. Moreover, your smartphone may crash if you try to inject more data. The same thing can be said for the roof rack.
If you put more products or equipment than the vehicle’s roof or roof rack capacity, it could become a disastrous situation after a while. So, you should be careful about it. To learn about the roof’s highest ability, check the manual given by the manufacturing company.
On the other hand, if you have a factory roof rack system on your car, please check the manufacturing company’s manual to know the exact capacity. There are so many OEM racks that don’t carry much weight but are more good-looking and stylish! Sounds weird?! But, it’s true!
In that case, you can add aftermarket crossbars to increase the rack’s carrying capacity.
Choosing a Carrier
Now, let’s assume that you have a perfect roof rack. It’s time to choose a carrier. If you want to haul regular household equipment or personal gear, you can use a standard carrier.
However, if you want to carry sporting equipment like a bike or a kayak, you should purchase a carrier designed for that specific cargo.
There are many kayak or bike carriers available on the market. If you want to carry a variety of equipment, you can opt for a roof box. A roof box is perfect for carrying items such as sports gear, luggage, tents, etc.
Installing the Roof Rack
Many people think that installing a roof rack is problematic or complicated. However, it isn’t. It’s easier than most people think. You can install it by following the instructions given by the manufacturing company. Besides, if you don’t have enough confidence, you can take help from a professional.
Tie Down
The tying down process depends on what you’re carrying. If you’re carrying items like a roof-mounted bike rack, ski carrier, snowboard, cargo box, etc., you can mount your gear and that’s it. However, you must secure the load with two straps if you’re carrying a kayak or a ladder.
Moreover, you need to use a bow and stern straps to tie the equipment in front of your car. This is how the kayak or ladder can be more secure.
Check the Load
Before hitting the road, double-check the load to ensure it is adequately secured. Also, ensure that nothing is loose; otherwise, it could cause a big problem when you hit the highway. Therefore, one must closely check whether all the straps are tightly secured.
Drive Carefully
When driving with an added load on the top of the vehicle, you must drive carefully. The extra load can significantly impact the car’s handling and fuel consumption. As a result, you shouldn’t drive at high speed and must avoid sudden maneuvers.
Unload the Items
When you reach your destination, it’s time to unload the items. After unloading, cautiously remove the roof rack from the vehicle and store it properly until its subsequent use.
Uses for Roof Racks
Anyone can easily transport different types of equipment with a roof rack. It is such a helpful piece of gear if you can utilize it correctly. However, most rack owners can’t use them properly. They only use them on specific occasions and don’t realize that a roof rack can be used for much more.
To use a roof rack to its fullest potential, you need to be creative. For example, if you need to transport larger-sized equipment and clients simultaneously, you can use off-road roof racks. You can even use them when your vehicle is parked in a parking lot.
Furthermore, if you’re an ocean lover and regularly go to beaches, you can use a roof rack to protect yourself from the sunlight. On the other hand, a roof rack can also be used to set up a tent with a sheet and a couple of poles.
So, it’s clear to see that the uses of roof racks are many. All you need is to take an intelligent approach to utilize them to their fullest potential.
Tips for Using a Roof Rack
Using a roof rack on your vehicle can significantly help you. However, you should also keep some things in mind before using it; otherwise, you could face accidents and other challenges. The first thing you should know before installing the roof rack is your car’s condition.
Firstly, you should know the car’s model number and weight capacity. There are some other queries that also need to be uncovered, for instance, does the car have raised or flat rails or none at all? What’s the condition of the roof? Is it curved or flat?
Knowing the answers to these questions will make it convenient for you to get the perfect roof rack for your vehicle. Start learning from the root before using a roof rack on the car.
Before using a rack on the car, check the safety measurements and the conditions of using it. You have to carry a lot of weight on the car’s top, so you can’t take any risk.
If you drive a Ford car and want to carry a wardrobe over it, it won’t benefit you. It will only increase the chances of a potential accident. Moreover, gaining knowledge of the various ways to tie off cargo is essential. The exact procedure regarding tie-off cargo will depend on the load’s size, weight, etc.
Furthermore, think thoroughly about getting the cargo on and off the car. I recommend you take assistance from another person while removing cargo from the rack, as it reduces the chance of damaging the product.
However, if you have to do it alone, take precautions and do the task slowly to avoid damage.
FAQs
What kind of vehicles can use a roof rack?
Almost all vehicles except for roofless cars can use a roof rack. However, it’s essential to check with the manufacturer to ensure compatibility.
How do I install a roof rack?
The installation process will vary depending on the make and model of the roof rack and the vehicle it is being installed on. Usually, roof racks come with instructions and hardware for installation. Notwithstanding, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and ensure the roof rack is correctly secured to the vehicle.
How do I load items onto a roof rack?
When you load items onto a roof rack, you must distribute all the products equally. Further, securing the items to the rack through the straps is essential. You should also check that the things don’t pass the roof rack’s or vehicle’s weight capacity.
Can I use a roof rack on a rental car?
Yes, you can use it. But, before doing that, you must meet some conditions the rental car company gives. Firstly, learn whether they allow it or not. If yes, then you should meet their terms and conditions regarding it. Perhaps, the rental car company could charge extra money for that.
How many kayaks, bikes, etc. can fit on a roof rack?
The quantity and nature of the load or gear that can be transported using your roof rack mainly rely on the specific use and the type(s) of accessories you have. Based on the length of the crossbar, you can somewhat approximate the number of carriers that can be accommodated on your rack.
Key Notes
Overall, using a roof rack can be a convenient way to transport items. Nevertheless, following the manufacturer’s instructions and taking the necessary precautions to ensure safe transport is crucial.
I hope my article will sincerely assist you in using a roof rack on your vehicle properly. If you have any queries regarding my article, you’re welcome to do them in the comment box.
