Traveling the road with friends and family can be an enjoyable and exciting experience for everyone involved. Like with any trip, you need sufficient in your car to transport your luggage. This is when roof racks come in handy. Even when your vehicle doesn’t have adequate indoor space for your luggage, a roof rack should allow you to transport everything you might require to have a satisfying experience.
This article sheds light on roof racks and their importance for your traveling needs. Keep reading to find out more about this modern car accessory.
What are Roof Racks?
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A roof rack is a bar attached to your vehicle’s roof to safeguard your belongings when traveling. Roof racks transport bulky things such as bicycles, luggage, skis, kayaks, etc., without occupying any of your vehicle’s indoor space.
Due to recent technological advancements, buyers can find roof racks in various shapes, sizes, and designs. For instance, 4runner roof rack systems are better suited for offroading purposes. Since different roof racks are used for multiple purposes, you can determine whether you require an open or enclosed roof rack. You must understand how to use a roof rack appropriately and safely depending on the load you place on your vehicle.
Types of Roof Rack Systems
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It’s a great idea to understand the various types of rack systems in the market before making the final purchasing decision. Here is a quick overview of the standard racks you can find in the market today:
- Towers. The tower is the most popular roof rack system, and it is designed for working with specific cars and mounting factory-installed rack mounting tracks or points.
- Crossbars. Crossbars are horizontal bars attached to the towers to act as the base for attaching the gear. These racks are available in a broad range of materials and sizes – therefore, you must select the option that meets your travel requirements.
- Baskets. Baskets can be an effective solution for enhancing your roof rack’s storage capacity. They are attached to crossbars to offer a base for keeping more oversized objects like coolers, camping gear, or duffel bags. Like crossbars, baskets also come in various materials and sizes, so choose the right option for your needs. There are rack baskets made of aluminium, steel, or plastics.
Once you understand the different roof rack types in the market, you can begin shopping for the right solution for your vehicle. Let’s now delve into the advantages of roof racks.
Importance of Roof Racks While Traveling
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Roof racks typically offer numerous advantages when traveling. Whether going for a road trip with more luggage or a bike ride with friends, you can use the roof rack to transport all you require for your outdoor activities. Here are some benefits you can enjoy when you use a roof rack for your traveling needs:
Transport large items
We often carry many items for going on long road trips. However, your car’s interior space may not be sufficient to keep bulky items because it’s intended for your friends and family. Racks are ideal for transporting massive items that otherwise wouldn’t fit into the vehicle’s interior space, like kayaks or bikes.
If you’re carrying multiple bikes on your journey, you may have to dismantle them to transport them safely in the car. Luckily, roof racks eliminate the need to dismantle them. If you and your travel companions are into mountain biking, you can shop for a roof rack that carries four bikes and is simple to mount. Some racks are designed for carrying multiple bikes without affecting the driver’s rear view.
They let you tie anything atop your vehicle wherever you go. Therefore, if you’re a sports enthusiast, this vehicle accessory will help you bring these items without a hassle. Many roof rack manufacturers also offer gear and accessories to free more space in your vehicle to create room for making more memories.
Provide safety
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Another advantage of using roof racks when traveling is that they offer safety to the vehicle’s occupants, luggage, and the vehicle itself. Therefore, attaching a roof rack system helps in enhancing safety on the road.
With this vehicle accessory, you don’t have to store heavy items inside the vehicle, which could fall and hit someone when driving down a steep road. In addition, roof racks secure your luggage from breakage rather than squeezing fragile objects inside the vehicle.
Therefore, installing a roof rack system on your vehicle can help to prevent many inconveniences from ruining your travel. However, you need to conform to the vehicle’s maximum payload capacity. Payload capacity is the total weight the car manufacturer has designed the vehicle to carry, including cargo and passenger weight. Exceeding the payload capacity can strain critical components, such as the engine, brakes, and tears, thus increasing maintenance costs.
Protect your cargo from adverse weather conditions
A vehicle with a roof rack system makes the traveling experience more comfortable and enjoyable. If you’re an enthusiast of outdoor activities like hiking or trekking, you can use your roof rack as the attachment for the vehicle overhang – to protect you and your vehicle when parked.
For instance, if you go for a fun-filled adventure and park your car in a particular open area, the rack can act as a temporary tent for your car against unfavorable weather conditions.
Simple to use and available in different varieties
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Roof racks are available in various types, making them a highly versatile and convenient vehicle accessory for your traveling requirements. Different racks are suitable for different needs. Examples of roof rack types include side rails, bare roofs, rain gutter racks, factory track & fixed point, etc. They also come with the necessary components and set of tools that you can utilize to install the roof rack system on your vehicle’s roof.
Furthermore, many roof racks manufacturers design their racks so they have a streamlined process of installing and uninstalling. Therefore, you can refer to the manufacturer’s step-by-step guide when you want to mount or unmount the system. It’s best to select a simple-to-install roof rack system depending on your needs to make your travel more memorable and fun.
The Bottom Line
Roof racks are an excellent accessory for your vehicle, especially for long travels. With their ability to offer extra storage space for your luggage and a broad range of bulky objects, roof racks also free up the interior space to ensure adequate seating space for your travel companions. If you’re planning to install a roof rack system on your vehicle, use the information in this article to determine the right option based on your travel needs.
