Many people find traveling to be an exciting activity, with a plethora of places to explore. However, those who opt to drive long distances to their destination may struggle to bring along all their desired items, even with the use of a roof rack. Thankfully, there are certain techniques that can help maximize the potential of a roof rack during long trips.
Function of a Roof Rack
Irrespective of the distance you travel, roof racks serve multiple purposes and are incredibly useful. If your vehicle is equipped with a roof rack, it can provide additional storage space for bulky or numerous items. Moreover, during long outdoor expeditions such as overlanding and off-roading, a roof rack can help keep the interior of your car clutter-free and serve as a handy storage solution.
In addition, the roof rack can also serve as a platform for a car awning, providing tired travelers with a comfortable place to rest after a long day of driving. Furthermore, if there are any items you prefer not to keep inside the car or on the ground, the roof rack offers a secure elevated storage solution.
How Can I Improve My Roof Rack
The roof rack system provides a plethora of configurations and styles that can revolutionize your travel experience. By incorporating different components, the layout of the roof rack can be altered, and new areas for improvement can be explored. Improvements may include an increase in the maximum carrying capacity, weight limit, or even height, depending on the components used to enhance it.
Roof Rack Accessories that Enhances Your Roof Rack
Numerous accessories and attachments are available that can enhance the functionality of your roof rack and provide additional benefits during your trip. These accessories come in different shapes and sizes but serve a similar purpose. By incorporating these items with your vehicle’s roof rack, you can create an improved storage system for you and your travel companions, making long road trips more convenient and enjoyable.
1. Straps
An indispensable accessory for rooftop storage, straps are crucial for securing items on a roof rack. Made of durable and flexible nylon, roof rack straps are resistant to most weather conditions. These straps are threaded through openings in the object or through something attached to the item, such as a cord used to hold the item in place on the roof rack, and are then fastened around the load bars of the roof rack to ensure a secure fit.
The straps are highly adjustable, allowing you to customize the level of security required for your items. Available in various configurations, the straps come equipped with anchors to prevent the knot from coming undone and buckles that help maintain its tightness. The choice of straps can significantly impact the roof rack’s ability to keep your luggage secure and ensure a worry-free journey without the fear of objects falling off the roof.
2. Stops
Ideal for objects that tend to shift or slide around on the roof rack, attachments like stops are perfect for keeping them securely in place during the entire trip. These stops are attached to the roof rack bar, such as the crossbars or load bar, and act as small stopping posts, preventing larger items from slipping out of place or falling off the roof. Made of durable hard plastic material, these stops can withstand multiple bumps and scrapes caused by movement during the journey.
During a road trip, you are likely to encounter paths and roads with sharp turns that may cause the cargo on the roof rack to shift slightly. Over time, this movement can increase the risk of items falling off the roof, making attachments like stops an excellent addition to your roof rack. Stops can help optimize your roof rack for long road trips, ensuring your cargo remains securely in place and minimizing the risk of damage or loss.
3. Brackets
In situations where the car does not have a pre-installed roof rack, temporary installations may be required. Brackets serve as a permanent fixture to which a roof rack can attach. In case the roof rack is no longer required, it can be easily detached from the brackets. The brackets are an efficient way to optimize the use of a roof rack and can be installed on any vehicle to allow for the placement of a roof rack.
To secure brackets onto the vehicle’s roof, screws are drilled through the brackets and into the car. In case you plan to sell or get rid of the car, these brackets can be easily removed with a drill.
How to Increase the Size
The size of your roof rack is crucial to determine the number of items you can carry. Increasing the size of your roof rack is especially important for long trips as you never know what problems you may encounter. Having as much space as possible on your roof rack allows you to store emergency supplies and be better prepared for unexpected situations.
To get the extra space you need, you can replace your current load bars with longer ones. If you prefer to keep your current load bars, you can also use extensions that attach to the existing load bars, giving your roof rack a broader appearance and creating more space for your luggage.
How to Increase the Capacity
To prevent damage to your roof rack and car’s roof, it’s essential not to exceed the maximum weight limit of your roof rack. You can add roof bars to provide extra support for heavier items. The more crossbars you add, the more weight your roof rack will be able to bear.
Using crossbars made of a stronger material can also enhance the roof rack’s weight capacity and increase its overall strength. During long road trips, the roof rack will be subjected to extended stress from carrying heavy items, making it crucial for the crossbars to provide full support. Installing additional crossbars will distribute the weight more evenly and prevent the car from being weighed down, ensuring a safe and secure journey.
How to Increase the Weight Distribution
Having a balanced weight distribution on the roof rack is crucial for keeping the vehicle stable. Uneven weight distribution can cause the car to use more energy to keep balanced, especially during wide turns. To prevent this, it’s important to use stops and straps to secure items in place and ensure they are distributed close to the midpoint of the vehicle.
How to Make It Safer
Using a roof rack on a taller vehicle like a Tacoma truck comes with certain risks, such as clearance issues with low bridges, potential scratches on the load bars, and the risk of losing some of your luggage. To avoid these potential hazards, it’s important to optimize your vehicle with a shorter and sturdier roof rack that is better suited for your needs.
By taking these steps to optimize your roof rack, you can have a stress-free long road trip with all your gear and items in place. Roof racks are excellent systems that make transportation more convenient and efficient.