Encountering car problems while away from home or facing heavy holiday traffic can increase driving anxiety for anyone. However, perhaps one of the most nerve-wracking aspects of traveling by car occurs even before you begin your journey from home.
When getting ready for a long road trip or traveling back home for the holidays, loading your car with luggage, pets, and passengers can be akin to a complex and exasperating game of Tetris. To maintain your composure and prevent anyone from feeling cramped during an extended car ride, utilizing the valuable space above you to transport cargo may be a worthwhile consideration.
Transporting luggage and other items on the roof of your car can help free up space and enhance your driving experience, but if not done properly, it can also pose safety hazards. To steer clear of any potential danger or harm to your vehicle, we’ve detailed the steps for safely carrying luggage on top of your car, ensuring a secure journey for both you and your belongings.
How to fasten luggage onto a roof bar
Ensuring your luggage and other loads are appropriately fastened when using a roof bar is crucial. As per Newton’s second law of motion, an object’s mass and acceleration can create significant force upon impact, making it imperative to avoid any potential mishaps while on the road. To safeguard against any untoward incidents, follow these steps to guarantee that your luggage and other cargo remain securely attached to the roof of your vehicle.
1. Consider carrying capacity
While the roof of your car can provide additional storage for larger items such as luggage, it’s crucial not to exceed its capacity. To ensure that you don’t overload your car’s roof, consult your owner’s manual to determine its maximum weight-bearing limit.
It’s advisable not to surpass the weight limit specified in your owner’s manual to avoid causing any harm to your vehicle. Additionally, if your car comes equipped with a sunroof, exercise caution when placing heavy items on top to prevent any damage to the glass. Furthermore, if you drive a convertible, avoid carrying any load on its roof altogether.
In case you have a sedan or a smaller car that lacks pre-installed roof bars, you can explore the possibility of setting up your own based on the roof type. Alternatively, if your vehicle’s roof cannot accommodate a roof bar, you may want to look into alternative exterior carriers, such as a trunk roof bar.
2. Take measurements of your luggage
The next essential aspect of safely transporting luggage on your car roof is to ensure a secure fit. Before loading your luggage, take measurements of both the roof of your car and the items to be transported. Plan how you will arrange the luggage on the roof, ensuring everything fits securely, prior to packing it.
It’s vital to ensure that no items obstruct the driver’s view by overhanging the windshield. Moreover, if your car is equipped with cross-bar luggage bars, your suitcases should fit inside the roof bar, rather than over them.
3. Load your cargo
Once you’ve determined your car roof’s carrying capacity and figured out how to fit your luggage securely, the next step is to load your cargo. Take adequate time and space while lifting heavy objects to avoid any strain on your neck and back muscles. Additionally, pack items individually to minimize any risks of objects falling during transit.
4. Ensure the safety of your cargo
Once your luggage is loaded onto your car roof, it’s crucial to ensure that it’s firmly secured to prevent it from moving or falling off. A load is deemed securely fastened when there’s no chance of any items dropping, spilling, or escaping onto the road. When securing your cargo, it’s essential to tie it down both widthwise and lengthwise.
To secure your luggage, employ tie-down or ratchet straps to fasten it firmly to your car roof. While ratchet straps are strong and secure cargo efficiently, it’s vital to ensure that you do not exceed the weight limit of the strap.
If you don’t have ratchet straps, nylon rope or cinching straps can be used to tie down your luggage. It’s recommended to have enough rope or strap to pass over your load at least twice. Moreover, passing them through the windows and tying them inside your car can provide additional security.
Also read: Tips on the Safe Use of a Bike Rack
5. Take a test drive
After securing your luggage on the roof and ensuring that everything is in place, taking a short test drive around your neighborhood or block can be beneficial. While driving, listen for any flapping or moving sounds. If you hear any rattling noises, it’s essential to recheck your load and ensure it’s more securely fastened.
Once you have taken a test drive and made all the required adjustments, you are good to go on your journey. However, if you notice any strange noises or movements while driving, it is advisable to pull over and inspect the load to ensure it is still secure before resuming your journey.
Also read: Tips to Secure Your Skis or Snowboards to a Roof Bar
Is it against the law to attach items onto the roof of your vehicle?
While it is not against the law to transport cargo on top of your car, driving with an unsecured load is illegal in all 50 states. If you fail to properly secure your load, you may be subject to fines, penalties, and even misdemeanor criminal charges. Furthermore, if your load causes injury or damage, you may face additional consequences, including jail time.
Every year, preventable accidents, injuries, and property damage are caused by falling objects and debris from unsecured loads. According to AAA, falling road debris caused over 200,000 crashes resulting in 500 deaths and 39,000 injuries over a four-year period. Properly securing any cargo that travels outside of your car can save lives and protect you from legal consequences. It’s important to note that if you are hit by any road debris from other unsecured loads, your car insurance may cover you under comprehensive or collision coverage.
Consider purchasing a sturdy carrier
Investing in a rooftop carrier may be a wise decision if you frequently need to transport items on top of your car. There are numerous carrier options available, and below you can explore which one is best suited to your requirements.
Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag: A durable, weather-resistant bag that is able to securely hold luggage and other items on your car roof by fastening it down. Ideal for those seeking flexible storage space and better aerodynamics.
Roof Baskets: A sturdy steel basket that attaches to your car’s roof and provides storage for luggage and other items. Ideal for use with weather-resistant items or bulky objects that cannot fit into a box or bag.
Roof Box: A sturdy, lockable box that can be attached to the roof of your car and used to store various items, such as outdoor gear or luggage. Ideal for those who want to ensure the safety and protection of their belongings from the elements.
Specialized Roof Bar: Specialized roof bars designed for carrying sports equipment, typically made from materials like rubber to prevent scratches. Custom-built to fit specific equipment and may include locking mechanisms for added security. Ideal for individuals with unique equipment needs or who frequently transport sports equipment.
Additional safety measures
Adding an extra layer of safety measures when transporting anything on the roof of your car is always a good idea. Apart from using tie-down straps, it is advisable to cover your load with a cargo net or tarp. This added layer of protection can prevent items from getting loose and flying off the roof, minimizing the risk of causing accidents or damage to other vehicles on the road.
Carrying luggage and other loads on the roof of your car can free up space inside the car and make long journeys more comfortable. Follow our steps for securely transporting items on top of your car to avoid stress and potential safety hazards.
By securing your load appropriately, you ensure the safety of you, your belongings, and other drivers on the road. It’s also important to take measures to safeguard your car so you can fully enjoy your holiday celebrations or vacation.