Buying a Roof Rack: What Do You Need to Know?

So, you’re looking into getting a roof rack, are you? If you’re a tradie, courier, camper, cyclist or virtually anyone who needs to carry around a large number of items, then a roof rack is going to be like your bread and butter. But before you jump right into it by contacting your manufacturer, it’s probably a good idea for you to know a few things first:

Roof Racks Aren’t a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

You can’t just expect any roof rack to fit with any car. The reality is, the make and model of your vehicle is going to determine what options are available to you. So, if you’ve come across a roof rack design that you’re super excited about, maybe you shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch. Depending on whether your vehicle has raised rails, solid rails, fix points or a naked roof, different types of racks will be suitable for mounting to your rooftop.

Avoid Mass-Produced Products and Bargain Deals

Have you been recently browsing online and discovered some prefabricated roof racks for sale at mind-blowing prices? Our last point still stands- roof racks aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. So, if you want to avoid getting duped by a budget roof-rack that either doesn’t fit right or doesn’t last, then we’d recommend getting a custom-made build from a local, reputable roof rack manufacturer. Don’t fall for those bargain deals and think that you’re saving yourself a bit of money in the process. Those cheap mass-produced solutions are almost never suitable for use in the long-term. Plus, they won’t be able to meet whatever specific requirements you’re wanting for your rack.

Consider What You Need It For

Before you rush into buying a roof rack, take a second to consider what you want to use it for. Are you a tradie needing to carry around bulky tools and equipment? Or maybe you’re wanting a rack so that you can transport all your fishing rods, camping gear or kayaks more easily for laid-back weekends in the great outdoors? You may even want something a little bit more versatile, because no one’s all work or all play, right? The good news is, there’s a variety of different roof rack styles available for you to choose from, no matter what type of purpose you’re needing to use it for. You can even add on a bunch of accessories to further customise your roof rack and truly turn it into the perfect aid.

Realise That It’s Going to Come with Its Limits

A roof rack definitely helps to unlock your car’s full load-carrying potential. But just like every other addition to your vehicle, it’s going to come with its limitations. You may feel tempted to load up your roof rack like you’re loading up a big plate of grub at Christmas lunch. Hey, you may even look at it as a bit of a challenge; how many items can I get on top of my roof rack before it’s just a microgram away from crashing down? But it really comes as no surprise to find that overloading your roof rack can pose as a real safety risk. Not only that, but going over your vehicle’s maximum load can land you in some pretty hot water with a fine, or worse.

An overloaded rack is not only going to raise the centre of gravity on your car and leave it way more susceptible to rolling. It’s also going to burn a ton of unnecessary fuel, all due to a decrease in your vehicle’s aerodynamic efficiency. Basically, the moral of the story is, big loads lead to big problems. So, before you rush into buying a roof rack, understand that it has its limits. Then, after installing your rack, make sure to load it smart, and find alternative spots for items that are able to fit easily elsewhere.

So, now we’ve got that out of the way, you’re finally one step closer to getting the ideal roof rack for your vehicle. The next step is choosing a reliable manufacturer; and the good news is, we’ve got you covered here at Great Racks. If you’re looking to get the ball rolling with your roof racks’ design, then don’t hesitate to contact us today!