Car roof racks are a useful addition to a car, especially for those who love long road trips. Not all vehicles are designed with huge cargo space like SUVs. You might need external space to accommodate the cargo in your vehicle. In such a case, a car roof cargo rack is the best option to maximise storage space.
Here’s everything you would want to know about car roof racks.
WHAT ARE ROOF RACKS?
Roof racks are vertical racks installed on the roof of any vehicle using a variety of connecting systems. If you’re a regular camper, cyclist or need to transport stuff, car roof racks are the perfect solution available. They can carry items as heavy as bikes, tents and as lightweight as bags or other equipment out of the boot or back seat.
WHICH ROOF RACKS WILL FIT MY CAR?
Car roof rack installation depends majorly on the weight of the bars. Usually, car roof racks fit well universally to most vehicles but you might need to check compatibility and other properties of the roof bars. An example of this includes checking for weight restrictions. Some car roof bars might not be able to support heavy items that families plan on taking to picnics. Other considerations include aerodynamics and ease of use. Read on to know how you can determine which car roof racks will fit your vehicle.
CHECK FOR WEIGHT LIMITS
Roof racks can carry load weight between 60 kg and 100 kg safely on the roof of your vehicle. You will have to check your vehicle’s handbook to confirm the safe weight permissible for the roof. However, if you plan on buying 100 kg bars, it’s recommended to carry up to 75kg for the lower scale.
CHECK FOR STEEL OR ALUMINIUM ROOF RACKS
The decision for this is based on your budget, load weight required and style. Steel bars typically are lower priced than aluminium ones but they are heavier and squared. If you plan to use car roof racks only occasionally, steel bars are a good choice.
On the other hand, aluminium bars are lighter and stronger with higher weight limits. They are stylish and aerodynamically shaped, often including T track slots that allow for more fitting options. However, make sure you check for their widths before you purchase accessory fittings as aluminium bars are generally wider than steel ones. You may find bar widths and accessory fitting widths in detail in all product description sections.
TYPES OF CAR ROOF RACKS
There are five major types of car roof racks, differing in the way they attach to the roof of your vehicle.
CAR ROOF RACKS WITH RAISED ROOF RAILS
Raised roof rails are most commonly found in SUVs and estate cars, running from the front to the back and originally fitted by manufacturers. They come as standard equipment or sometimes as an option. They are known as ‘raised’ roof rails because they are hoisted up from the roof with clear gaps between the rail and the roof.
CAR ROOF RACKS WITHOUT RAILS OR FIX POINTS
For plain cars without the rails fitted on the roof, a ‘door jamb’ type of car roof rack is ideal for all such models. This type of rack clamps to the car door jambs that are part of the roof when you open the door.
FACTORY TRACK AND FIXED POINT
Many cars come with roof rack mounting points built-in by the manufacturer, and some cars have tracks installed on the roof itself. These facilities allow for a quick and simple installation of base towers. Some examples of such cars with mounting points include Honda Element, Mazda models, some Subaru and BMW sedans.
TRUCK CANOPY AND CAMPER TOPS
Vehicles that have canopies or camper tops come with two main options for mounting roof racks. There are artificial side mount rain gutter brackets that are installed on the side of the camper or canopy. They allow a rain gutter tower to be attached to it.
CUSTOM ROOF RACK FOR CAMPER TRAILER
Generally, most vehicles come with fixed mounting tracks that are permanently installed. Customer track installation allows you to position your roof rack for maximum flexibility and use. However, it is recommended to have a professional carry out the installation instead of doing it at home.
CAR ROOF BAR PRICE
The price of car roof racks starts from AED 350. The rates, however, depends on the material and design. Before buying a car roof rack storage, you must consider the purpose and your vehicle’s model. Make sure you buy the right car roof cargo rack that can handle the cargo and accommodate easily. If you wish to DIY roof bars on your vehicle, then make sure you have the right auto parts and accessories online in the UAE as well as the tools required in the installation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO CAR ROOF RACKS DAMAGE MY CAR?
It depends on the installation of the roof. If it’s done properly by a professional on a clean roof, the rack will not scratch or cause damage. You should remove the roof rack periodically to clean any road grime build up as an extra caution.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROOF RACK AND ROOF BARS?
A minor difference but here it is. Car roof bars are usually a set of two bars that run across the top of the vehicle. The roof rack, on the other hand, has more than two crossbars and is more modular in design. Sometimes, the roof racks have a fixed format with a set number of crossbars.
CAN I GO FOR CARWASH WITH THE ROOF RACKS ON?
No, it is not recommended to go for an automatic car wash with a roof rack installed as it can cause damage to the roof bar as well as the washing equipment. It is best to remove it before washing the car.
WHY SHOULD I REMOVE THE ROOF RACKS WHEN NOT IN USE?
There is a science behind this recommendation. Roof racks on the top of the car increase the car’s wind resistance. This, in turn, increases fuel consumption. Although an aerodynamically designed roof rack can help reduce wind resistance it is best to remove the racks when they are not in use.
As you can see, car roof racks or bars are indeed one of the best investments for your vehicle. Although they are not necessarily cheap, they are worth the cost. It’s packed with advantages to make your road trip much more comfortable and wholesome. However, either you buy a used car in the UAE or a new one, before car roof bar installation, make sure you do your research and purchase to ensure it’s all of the good quality. If you wish to buy SUV on which car roof rack installation is hassle-free, here are a few options:
- Used Toyota Fortuner in the UAE for sale
- Second-hand Nissan X-Trail for sale in the UAE
- Used Mitsubishi Montero Sport for sale online in the UAE
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on different car accessories, DIY tutorials and more.
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