Roof Rack Basics: Dos and Don’ts

When you want to haul a variety of bulky items but don’t have a big truck to get the job done, don’t give up hope. Your car may be equipped with roof racks, and in most cases it may already come with one pre-installed. The set of bars installed on the roof of the car allows to transport luggage, kayaks, bicycles, skis and much more. These accessories can work miracles for you if you don’t have room inside your car to fit a huge container. Take a look at some questions you should find answers to:

1. Are they compatible with my car?

2. Can I remove it easily?

3. Do roof racks make noise?

4. Is it easy to install?

Here are a couple of shopping tips to help you get the best deals. See the list below for more information:

Decide what you are going to use them for: Roof racks are versatile and are used for a variety of purposes. They can be used for commercial or recreational transportation tasks. Regardless of the type of vehicle you have, you should always keep in mind the type of use you have in mind to better plan the type of accessories you will get.

Decide the type of attachment to use: select the type of roof rack for a vehicle that is not judged by size alone. There are some things to consider. This includes taking into account existing fixing points where the rack could be attached. If there are no pre-drilled holes, you can go for the types that clip onto car doors.

However, installing a roof rack also carries some caveats. Despite some minor issues you may run into, there are solutions to each. Do roof racks make noise? The short answer is yes. As the vehicle travels at faster speeds, the roof racks, due to the way they are positioned and designed, tend to cause a buzzing or hissing sound. However, some simple designs or tricks will make the sound go away.

To get rid of that annoying hiss your setup makes when your car picks up speed, try tying a bungee cord in a coil around the front crossbar. This usually removes the sound. You don’t have to fully wrap the crossbar, a few turns will do. You can also install fairings to reduce wind resistance and eliminate sound. Also, check to see if the crossbar end caps have come off and if your setup allows you to easily remove the shelves, remove them when not in use. This eliminates noise and saves fuel.

Choose a modular or complete configuration – some configurations come in one package. However, these systems will not allow you to exchange another part from a third party brand. You’re lucky if you can find out. However, the most preferred are the modular variants. Most car owners like this option mainly because it is almost everywhere. Different parts can be found and purchased at different outlets. It is easier to find and can be modified to suit your needs. If you’re constantly carrying different items, you should opt for a modular setup so you can easily swap out attachments when you need to.