The experts at Enowl are highly knowledgeable about traveling with a roof bar. With over a decade of experience in selling and installing roof bars for customers’ vehicles, they have amassed a wealth of expertise. Throughout this time, they have encountered and become familiar with the common challenges that arise. Many individuals tend to encounter common issues and make mistakes when it comes to fitting and utilizing a roof bar.
Enowl presents a comprehensive list of the Top 10 Tips for Driving with a Roof Bar to ensure that you avoid encountering these issues.
Read the Instructions
Typically, we guys have a tendency to overlook instructions, and truth be told, most of the time we manage to get away with it about 95% of the time! However, when it comes to installing a roof bar on your car, it becomes crucial to thoroughly read all the instructions before even touching a single bolt from the package. These instructions will assist you in completing the task more efficiently, easily, and most importantly, safely in the long run. While not obligatory, having an extra pair of hands can certainly make a significant difference. Remember, your car holds far greater value than the roof bars you’ve just purchased, so ensure that you don’t cause any damage by neglecting to read the instructions!
Settings of the Torque
Please give special consideration to the torque settings, if provided. A roof bar that is properly installed and used will provide trouble-free service for years and will not cause any damage to your car. However, a roof bar that is over-torqued, under-torqued, poorly fitted, or overloaded can potentially harm your vehicle. If you are uncertain about how to correctly install a roof bar, I recommend Contacting Enowl for some valuable tips.
The Elements
Leaving your roof bar on your car exposes it to the elements, which can lead to corrosion of the fittings over time. To prevent this, applying a small amount of copper grease on the mounting bolt threads will offer protection against corrosion and significantly facilitate future removal.
Maximum Weight Allowance
The owner’s manual of your car contains information about the maximum weight that can be carried on the roof. It is common for the car to have a lower weight limit than the roof bars, so it is crucial to verify and never exceed the lower weight limit between the two.
Seek Help
Loading sizable and unwieldy items onto a roof bar can present difficulties. Straining and applying excessive force during this process frequently result in damage. To avoid scratching your car’s paintwork while trying to manage a 12-foot canoe single-handedly, it is recommended to enlist the help of another person who can provide assistance.
Mind the Additional Height
It is astonishing how many calls we receive from customers who have accidentally driven their car into a multi-story car park or their own garage, completely forgetting that they had a roof bar, rooftop cargo carrier bag, or a roof bike rack attached, resulting in the entire setup being torn off. While this is more common with taller MPVs and 4x4s, it can still happen with family saloons. Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of the additional height you are carrying and make a conscious effort to remember it.
Secure and Lock It
Enowl exclusively offers roof bars equipped with security locks, and it is crucial to utilize them consistently, particularly when transporting valuable items like bikes or kayaks that can be worth a substantial amount. It’s also advisable to keep your roof bar keys on your car key ring as a convenient measure. We receive numerous inquiries annually from individuals in need of replacement keys, so taking precautions can save you the trouble of such situations.
Tied Down
When transporting canoes, kayaks, and surfboards, it is essential to secure them not only to the roof bar but also to the car’s front and back. You can utilize the car’s towing eyes or tow bar, if available, for this purpose. These types of items can generate significant aerodynamic lift when traveling at high speeds, posing a risk of dislodging any roof bar, regardless of the brand, if they are not properly secured. Even at lower speeds, strong winds (which are often present when surfers or windsurfers are heading out) can exert forces that surpass the roof bar’s rated capacity, potentially causing damage. Therefore, ensuring proper tie-down is a critical point to consider for a safe driving.
Reduce Excess Weight
Certain roof bar accessories, like roof boxes, may come with a maximum speed warning that should not be surpassed. As speed increases, aerodynamic drag becomes more prominent, and exceeding the speed rating can exert excessive force on the accessory or the roof bar. Even though roof bars are constructed with lightweight materials and aerodynamic profiles, they still introduce additional weight and aerodynamic drag to your vehicle. Although the impact on fuel economy is minimal, it can still have a negative effect. Hence, if you’re not actively utilizing the roof bar, it is advisable to remove it.
For a Safari
Lastly, if you intend to visit a safari park with a roof box attached to your roof bar, it’s wise to steer clear of the baboons! Alternatively, ensure that the roof box is securely locked to prevent any mischievous encounters.
If you’re seeking further details about roof bars and travel accessories, whether it’s for business or leisure purposes, I recommend visiting Enowl. Their team of experts will assist you with any inquiries you may have.