What Do You Put on a Roof Rack?

by Adrian | Last Updated: November 2, 2020

One common thing about cars is that no matter how big or small it is, it is almost always runs out of space. There’s always too much gear, luggage, baby strollers, dog beds and so many other things that cannot all fit. 

You being on this page can only mean one of two things: you’re looking for a roof rack for future use or you’ve already run out of space in your car and you’re looking for ways to avoid buying a bigger vehicle for more space.

You’re not alone in this dilemma. Almost all car owners have been in your shoes on many occasions, especially those who travel with family, go on expeditions or camp a lot. For some reason, cargo and luggage just seems to keep increasing over time.

That’s the reason roof racks are so popular these days. But exactly what do you put in a roof rack? This article will help you get to know roof racks more to guide you in your search for the best one that fits your vehicle storage needs.

Why Do You Need a Roof Rack?

If you’re a frequent traveler or camper or have a big family, you’ll probably need a roof rack for all the stuff you’ll be bringing along. Here are some of the reasons a roof rack can be beneficial to you.

• It allows you to carry extra stuff without obstructing the driver’s view
• It gives you free space inside the car for other functions
• It actually slight strengthens your vehicles roof in the event of a roll over
• It can be used for different vehicles so you don’t need to buy one for another car
• It’s a good storage for your travel needs to be used later
• It gives you fast access to your more important stuff

What Can Roof Racks Carry?

There’s a lot you can put onto roof racks depending on what you need it for. Here are some of the things roof racks can carry:

• Bags
• Suitcases
• Fishing gear
• Camping equipment
• Tents
• Skis
• Snowboards
• Golf clubs
• Tools
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Roof boxes
• Roof bags
• Bicycles
• Canoes
• Kayaks
• Roof top tents
• Skateboards
• Spare tires
• Spare wheels
• Awnings
• Camping chairs
• Water tanks
• Jerry cans

How to Pack a Roof Rack

Roof rackss are designed to be sturdy to withstand frequent use and extreme weather. However, just like any product, you must ensure you are not damaging the roof rack due to improper handling, installation, loading or carelessness in using it. In this regard, this article includes some pointers on how to properly pack your roof rack.

Be Mindful of the Load Limit

Not all roof racks have the same weight limit. On top of that, you should also consider the load capacity of your roof gutters, rails or wherever your roof rack is mounted to. These two must go hand in hand so your vehicle won’t be at risk for potential damages.

Calculate the total load capacity to be on the safe side. If your roof rails capacity is 150 lbs and your roof rack weights 10 lbs, then the content should be 140 lbs or even less.

Regardless of the size, you shouldn’t load the roof rack with something that might be too heavy for both the roof rack and the mounting points on the vehicle. For example, putting 500 lbs of gear won’t be a great idea just because they fit on top of the roof rack. It will cause damage not only to the roof rack, but to the vehicle as well.

The Heaviest Load Must Go To the Trunk

Do not go stuffing the roof rack with heavy materials just because you have one. Remember that the primary storage is always the trunk or load bin. The roof rack are only for added space and should not carry the heaviest load, you want to be mindful of the center of gravity of the vehicle, and keeping the load as low as possible to prevent greater risk of rolling over or altering the vehicle’s stability around corners.

Trunks can carry heavier loads than the roof racks, so it’s wise to place the heavy cargo there and then the extra cargo should go on top of the roof rack. This way, the total weight of the cargo that the vehicle will carry will not affect how the vehicle handles on the road.

Arrange the Cargo Properly

Overhangs are annoying. They can distract the driver and they can obstruct the view as well. Therefore, make sure to get rid of overhangs most especially in places that are visible to the driver.

Objects That Can Be Loaded on the Roof Rack

Since roof racks provide extra space for your cargo needs during travel, there are so many things you can load onto it. Here are the most common things people put onto their roof racks during travel.

Bags and Suitcases

Not all people are into outdoor activities such as camping or fishing or snowboarding. This means that some people won’t have to load outdoor equipment on their roof racks.

However, there are many people that go on a road trip that would need extra space for their bags and other stuff. It’s a fact that clothes and other essentials would take up space in the car depending on how many people are traveling and for how many days.

If you have a small car, then roof racks would come in handy to store all your belongings without taking up plenty of space.

For luggage like bags and suitcases containing clothes and other weather sensitive items, it is advisable to only load waterproof and weatherproof bags and suitcases on the roof rack, or else mounting a cargo roof box or roof bag onto the roof rack and them loading those items into it. And because bags and suitcases mostly contain clothes, then you won’t have to worry about overloading the roof rack.

Camping Gear

A number of people enjoy camping frequently. One thing you need for camping is enough space in the car for all the stuff you will need. If you are traveling alone, then you probably won’t need much space. But if you’re traveling with the family with several kids, your trunk and the backseat just won’t be enough.

However, if you have a roof rack, then you have adequate additional space for all of your belongings. There are roof racks that can fit some camping gear for two to six people. You can even bring more depending on what you will bring.

Most camping gear includes a tent, camping chairs, some sleeping bags, a camping table and clothes. These are not really heavy stuff but can take up large spaces. Arranging them properly on the roof rack will allow you to bring more stuff with you.

Sports Equipment

If you are among those who are into sports, then you’d need a roof rack for your sports equipment. Apart from the clothes they need for the trip, they also need space for their golf clubs, skis, snowboards, kayaks, bicycles and fishing gear among others. 

With that said, you must take into consideration what you would frequently need the roof rack for. The size of your equipment should affect the size of the roof rack you will be getting, and the additional accessories you will be fitting to it, like a kayak mount, or bicycle mounts or even a roof cargo box.

Take note that there is no one size fits all type of roof rack. However, there are different types and sizes that you can choose from to suit your traveling needs which will be discussed further later in this article.

Recommended Roof Racks and What You Can Put Onto It

There are many brands, types, and sizes of roof racks on the market. To help you decide what roof rack to get, here are our top picks and what they can carry.

Tips for Using Roof Racks

By now, it should already be clear to you how beneficial roof racks can be. However, let’s not end this without looking into other critical points that are easily missed out.

• One thing you should always remember in packing roof racks is that the weight of the content must be equally distributed. Otherwise, the roof rack might end up distorted and can eventually damage the vehicle.
• Remember the general rule to always put the heaviest load in the trunk. On the other hand, when loading heavy cargo on the roof rack, put the heavier items in the middle and surround it with the lighter items.
• You also need to make sure that the rack is properly strapped or bolted to avoid damaging your car and most importantly, to avoid accidents on the road. This is also one way to minimize added noise.
• Do not disregard the height of your car in regards to the height of the roof rack and whats loaded on it. If you already have a tall car and you’re getting a large roof rack, make sure you won’t have a hard time getting your gear later on.
• When driving, do not forget that you have an additional load on your roof. Most products come with manuals stating the maximum speed limit of the car when traveling with roof racks. Make sure not to disregard the instructions.
• Also, check the tire pressure of the vehicle before you go on long drives. While most roof racks are aerodynamic, your tires need enough air pressure for a more fuel-efficient journey.