Last Updated on January 2, 2023 by Will Sabel
Did you ever run out of space while going on a trip with your vehicle? Every vehicle has a different storage capacity, and sometimes you might need extra storage for carrying your stuff.
When your car’s storage falls short, you might think about using the roof as a storage component. And to do so, you will need a roof rack in the first place.
If you have never heard of roof racks, you may have questions regarding them, such as: what is roof rack, what are roof racks used for, and so on.
Here, we are going to shed a light on roof racks for you. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
What is Roof Rack?
A roof rack is basically a carrier that is installed on the roof of a car. There are so many things that can’t fit inside your vehicle, but if you have a roof rack, you can load those items and carry them easily.
Roof racks are usually made of steel or aluminum. Steel roof racks add extra weight, while aluminum roof racks don’t make that much difference.
Some people usually get confused between the roof rack and the roof rail. Although they have some similarities, the anomalies are also many.
What Are Roof Racks Used For?
There was a time when roof racks were not so popular among casual drivers. But time has changed, and people use them for various purposes nowadays.
You can load a kayak, a bicycle, heavy equipment for camping, luggage, and so many other things as well.
As long as your car is capable of pulling the weight that you have added and your roof rack is strong enough to carry them, you are good to go.
Even if you are not a fan of carrying lots of things on the roof of your car, installing a roof rack can serve you when you might need it.
What To Look For While Installing A Roof Rack?
There are a couple of things that you should consider before installing a roof rack. Many vehicles have built-in rails on the roof, and you need to install crossbars only.
The crossbar is the bar that runs from door to door of the vehicle. You will also find some cars that come with factory cross bars. However, these factory crossbars have some limitations.
They might look good aesthetically, but they are not among the strongest. You may have limitations on how much weight you put on them, and the limited width of the factory crossbars might not give you enough storage as well.
Whether or not your car already has crossbars, you can upgrade or install a roof rack. But before doing that, check the compatibility and weight capacity of your car for roof racks. And always consider strength and sturdiness while purchasing a roof rack.
Roof Racks and Related Issues
Roof racks have more positive aspects than negative ones. Depending on your requirements and preferences, you can either install a permanent one or go with a temporary one.
However, a non-permanent roof rack is not as sturdy as a permanent one. These roof racks are prone to catching dust under their feet, which might lead to damage to the clear coat of your roof or make a scratch on the paint.
Besides, the roof rack can also shift because of high wind. And sometimes your roof rack can also make an annoying noise while driving at high speed, which is known as wind noise.
To avoid any inconvenience, always check to see if your roof rack is in the correct position.
Final Words
Now that you have gotten the answers to what roof rack is, what is roof rack used for in this article, you can install and take advantage of using a roof rack.
Whether you are going on camping or a long trip, you can load some extra elements on your roof rack that couldn’t fit inside your car. Install the type of roof rack that suits you best, and worry less about your additional baggage.
