Best Uses for your Roof Rack

Stop trying to fit in when you can add a roof rack. Pardon the pun, but this very much says a lot about how adding a roof rack to your vehicle can make you, not just fit your things in, but make your car and entire experience stand out. Fasten your seatbelts, because today we’re taking you for a ride on the best uses and benefits of having a car roof rack.

There’s no denying that roof racks (also known as truck racks or overland racks) are becoming a big thing in the automobile industry and overlanding space. Originally, roof racks were used only by campers, bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. However, they have recently been widely accepted and utilized by casual drivers for daily use. Manufacturers and sellers alike see a consistent increase in sales when it comes to aftermarket accessories—specifically for roof racks. So, why are these modifications so in demand? And are they worth the craze?

Before answering these questions, let’s define what a roof rack is real quick. A roof rack is a platform or framework attached to the roof of your vehicle used to carry luggage and equipment for camping and other off-roading adventures. They are great for mounting other camping must-haves like light bars and roof top tents. While storage is its main purpose, there are actually numerous other things you can use your roof rack for. Listed below are some of the best values a roof rack system have in store for you. 

Greater Storage Roof racks are mainly built with the objective of carrying extra luggage that won’t squeeze inside your vehicle. These mobile storage sheds are best for transporting bulky items and camping essentials. What you can carry on a roof rack may include the following:

• Kayaks
• Canoes
• Bicycles
• Snowboards
• Skis
• Fishing poles
• Cargo boxes
• Water coolers
• Gas
• Portable showers
• Spare tires
• Awnings
• Roof top tents

Some roof racks also come with convenient LED light bar cutouts that easily accommodate lighting, as well as cross bars that can support dwellings and shelters like roof top tents and awnings. With the extra space brought by your roof rack, there’s no need to choose which gear to bring and which ones to leave. You can bring it all!

More Convenient Trip
In relation to the point above, the roof rack frees your car from luggage to make it available for human occupancy. Stashing your load into your roof rack creates an improved interior space, which results in added comfort for your passengers. Without the cramping baggage inside your car, your passengers will have enough legroom and a better journey with no disturbance or the uncomfortable feeling of suffocation. This is ideal for those who travel long distances, have large families, or are traveling with kids.

Safer Cargo
Aside from space and storage, another important factor of a roof rack is in terms of safety. It is much safer than putting all the load on the rear area of the car or better than attaching an open trailer at the back.

Additionally, roof rack systems contribute to a more secured load. It is unavoidable in large crowds or unfamiliar places to have malicious people taking advantage of campers and overlanders who are only trying to have a good time. To safeguard your belongings from these opportunistic thieves, some roof platforms offer secured casing and locks to keep your gear and equipment intact.

Lastly, by putting sharp, bulky, and hard objects into your roof rack, you are preventing interior damage to your vehicle. Destructive equipment like fishing gears and hooks for example can scratch your windows or tear your seat fabrics and covers.

Enhanced Vehicle Aesthetic
A roof rack is the epitome of aesthetics and value combo. While tremendously functional, it never fails to be stylish and sleek to get people’s attention. Modern racks come in slim and aerodynamic designs, made of lightweight yet highly durable materials. The different colors and styles you can choose from make your truck even more appealing and unique than the rest. Whether you’re driving a sedan, an SUV, or a station wagon, a roof rack can definitely make your vehicle look better.

Being an extremely noticeable part of your rig, the roof rack is literally a crowning glory of a vehicle. Through a roof rack, you can also showcase your personality. Bicycle and kayak roof racks for instance reflect a more sporty vibe while large roof baskets give you a more robust and adventurous character.

Modifications like roof rack addition to cars are also said to increase your vehicle’s resale value. While it doesn’t change your vehicle that much, they offer much more space—which a lot of buyers see value in.

Varied Accessory Options

Another reason why a lot use a roof rack is the wide variety of accessories you can add to it. Since most of these roof platforms are adjustable and modular in nature, you can easily attach whatever add-ons you may see fit to meet your needs.

The most common addition to a roof rack is a light bar. A lot of roof rack models already come with LED light bar cutouts to make lighting installation easy. Another common add-on is a wind deflector. This handy item helps to direct the wind around the roof racks and your luggage—which reduces the drag on your car and ultimately saves you on fuel costs.

An essential extra for your roof rack would be a cargo basket kit. This practical upgrade can be connected to your roof rack to give your luggage and cargo a more contained and secure environment. Finally, the most popular attachments are ladders, roof top tents, and awnings.

Closing
Why settle for less when you can have more (space)? A roof rack solves not just storage problems, but also keeps you, your passengers, your car, and your cargo secured. The many uses of a roof rack definitely make it a worthy investment, especially if you are very much into outdoor-related activities. Roof racks are safe, easy to install, strong, and long-lasting. They are simple additions to your vehicle that definitely go a long way.