If you are someone who likes to make vehicle travelling trips and are always worried about how you would squeeze in all your sporting equipment and essentials, then a roof rack might just be the answer to your problem.
With the help of a roof rack you can carry almost everything from a suit case to bulkier items such as kayaks, canoes, camping equipment and fishing gear without using the passenger space.
The market is flooded with options for roof racks however if your vehicle already has factory fitted roof rails then all that is required are cross bars to attach to the side rails. These racks consist of a clamp around the rail to which is also attached to cross bars. They are easily fitted
There are other types of racks that have straps that attach to the roof mounts to hold it firmly to the edge of the roof. The cross bars are attached to the mounts making a complete assembly.
Car design is a key factor in determining the roof rack to be chosen. If your vehicle has rain gutters then you will need a roof rack that will fit into the gutter and also be mindful that height of the support is related to the height of the roof. Some roof heights may be as low as 130mm while others may need a height of 290mm.Newer model passenger vehicles generally are not made with rain gutters
Vehicles that do not have a rain gutter are designed for attachments, or straps, that are fixed to the roof mount and cross bars. Straps are not universal and must be selected to suit the make and year model of the vehicle,which the rack manufacturer will specify. It is possible that when changing vehicles the same rack can be used if the mount is comparable to the replacement vehicle simply by fitting a different strap specified for the vehicle
Before you purchase a roof rack it would be desirable that you discuss your requirements with experienced roof rack specialists to ensure that the rack is suitable to your needs and also meets the manufacturer’s requirements. Read more… »