10 Surprising Facts About Roof Racks

Roof racks are a great way to transport gear without taking up valuable room in your car’s cabin. They’re popular with campers, bikers, kayakers, and skiers. But how much do you know about roof racks? Here are ten interesting facts that may surprise you. 

1. Some roof racks can be adjusted to fit different sizes of vehicles. Adjustable roof racks can come in handy if you switch cars often or want to avoid buying a new rack for each vehicle. Some racks can be modified to fit another vehicle.
2. Most roof racks are designed to carry up to 100 kgs of weight or more. This means you don’t have to worry about overloading your rack—unless you’re hauling heavy items. Ensure that the weight limit is compatible with your car’s load capacity. 
3. Regarding installation, there are two types of roof racks—permanent and removable. Permanent ones require more effort but offer more security and stability when transporting heavy items like kayaks, bikes, materials and trade equipment. In contrast, removable ones can be quickly taken off when not in use and stored away without any hassle. 
4. To ensure safety on the road, it’s vital to secure your load correctly with straps or ropes before driving off. Not doing so could lead to accidents caused by shifting cargo during transit which could cause serious damage or injury if not handled properly. Items should be loaded so the weight is distributed evenly across the roof rack.
5. The most common materials used for making roof racks include aluminium and steel. Aluminium is the preferred material as it provides strength and durability while also being lightweight enough for easy installation and removal from vehicles. 
6. Different types of accessories can be added onto a roof rack depending on what kind of items need to be transported (e.g., bike carriers and ski holders). Make sure these accessories fit securely onto the rack before driving off. Some trades require mine spec accessories such as beacon lights, rear LED lights, flag and aerial which need to be fitted to the roof rack with specific brackets.
7. Many modern-day roof racks have features such as integrated locks for extra security against theft; some even have anti-theft technology. 
8. Roof racks for utility vehicles have a different design to the frame required for a canvas canopy. Consider carefully if you would like the area in the tray or tub to have dust-proof and water-proof storage as a roof rack cannot be modified for a canvas canopy frame down the track. You can add a roof rack to a canvas canopy and then you have the best of both worlds – additional storage on the roof and plentiful storage in the back of your ute.
   
9. The maximum weight limit for a roof rack varies from state to state. For example, the maximum weight limit in Victoria and Queensland is 75 kgs per axle (150 kgs for the entire vehicle). Anything over this limit can be dangerous and can lead to fines or other penalties if caught by law enforcement. It is important to check with your local government before loading anything onto your roof rack to ensure you stay within the weight limits. Most 4WD’s can do up to 100kg, with a few at 150kg and very few higher. The 200 series Landcruiser roof load rating is 200kg, for example.
10. Before installing a roof rack onto any vehicle, ensure that its design is suitable for the model of the vehicle being used and check manufacturer instructions for proper installation procedures — improper installation could lead to accidents or damage caused by incorrect usage. Or take the guesswork out of it by choosing a manufacturer that custom makes their products to suit your vehicle.

Conclusion

A roof rack is an essential accessory for anyone who needs extra storage space in their car without compromising on comfort levels inside the cabin area itself – whether it’s camping gear, recreational equipment or anything else that needs transporting safely and securely over long distances. Roof racks are a must for most tradespeople due to the range of tooling and equipment required.With so many options available today, ranging from permanent installations to removable designs offering quick deployment/removal processes, there really is something out there for everyone – no matter their specific requirements when securing goods during transit. Contact us today to learn more about our roof racks options.