If you’re considering taking your SUV or truck on your upcoming family vacation, it’s important to anticipate the need for transporting multiple bags and, if applicable, baby equipment. Planning plays a crucial role in ensuring a seamless vacation experience. Therefore, it’s essential to make thorough preparations to guarantee a smooth journey.
Benefits of Using Roof Bars
- Enhanced Storage Capacity for Equipment and Luggage Transportation
- Safely Transporting Sporting Kits and Equipment
- Increased leg room for Passengers
- Removing Heavy Items from the Interior Space of the Vehicle
- Effective Organization of Belongings
Whether you use roof bars for everyday transportation or for long road journeys, it’s important to optimize their usage and ensure safety. To help you make the most of your roof bars and prevent any potential accidents, we have compiled a list of valuable tips. Before embarking on your journey, be sure to consult this guide for a thorough check!
Follow the Instructions
When it comes to installing your roof bar by yourself, it’s crucial to meticulously review the instructions beforehand. Prior to unpacking the bar, take the time to thoroughly read the manual. This will not only ensure a safer installation process but also make it quicker and easier. However, it’s important to note that mounting a roof bar on your own can be challenging. It is advisable to seek assistance from a friend to make the task more manageable.
In addition to reading the manual, it’s essential to correctly fit the roof bar to your vehicle. Over-tightening or under-tightening can lead to potential damage. Another important consideration is applying copper grease to the mounting bolt threads. This step will facilitate easy removal of the bar when it’s not in use.
Seek Assistance
When it comes to transporting bulky and heavy items, it’s important to seek assistance while loading them onto your roof bar. Struggling to handle these items on your own could result in damage to both the cargo and your vehicle. To avoid scratching your paintwork, it’s advisable to enlist the help of someone to load your items onto the roof bar. Just envision the potential damage that could occur if you were to load a canoe onto the roof bar by yourself.
Follow Weight Limits Guideline
Don’t overlook the importance of consulting your car manual to find information about the maximum load capacity of your vehicle’s roof. Typically, roof bars have a higher weight rating compared to the roof itself. Therefore, it is crucial to verify the weight limits for both and strictly adhere to these guidelines. Make sure to follow the specified limits to ensure safe and appropriate usage.
Ensure the Safety of Your Cargo
When transporting canoes, surfboards, skis, snowboards, or kayaks, it is crucial to securely fasten them using appropriate tie-down methods. Remember to tie them down not only to the roof bar but also to the front and back of your vehicle. It’s important to be aware that traveling at higher speeds can generate lift, potentially causing your roof bar to become unstable. Therefore, it is paramount to ensure that your cargo is properly and securely tied down to prevent any incidents.
To mitigate the risk of incidents, an alternative approach is to seek the expertise of a reputable bar fabricator who can tailor your roof bar to suit your specific requirements. For instance, if you frequently travel with a canoe or kayak, you can request the installation of a detachable H or Y bar. This accessory enables convenient and secure attachment of bulky items during your journeys. Consulting with a trusted bar fabricator ensures that your roof bar is customized to enhance both safety and convenience.
Remember Speed Limits While Driving
It’s crucial to keep in mind that roof bar accessories typically have a specified maximum speed rating. If you plan to install one yourself, it’s important to carefully read and follow the provided instructions. Failure to drive within the recommended speed limit can lead to similar consequences as mentioned earlier. Exceeding the speed rating of your roof bar can result in damage to both the bar itself and your vehicle. It is vital to adhere to the designated speed limits to maintain the integrity of your roof bar and ensure the safety of your car.
How to Use a Roof Bar?
Here are some straightforward steps that will enable you to effectively utilize your roof bar:
Step 1: Before loading your luggage or cargo onto the roof bar, it’s important to take measurements and assess their weight. If you have a cross-bar luggage bar, ensure that the box or bag fits within the square formed by the cross and sidebars. However, if you have a roof bar without a crossbar, make sure to avoid positioning the carrier over the windshield.
Step 2: Prior to securing your cargo, it is essential to encase them in a weatherproof bag that is sturdy enough to handle the entire load. By following this step, you can safeguard your luggage, bags, and other items from the rain, sun, and other weather elements.
Step 3: When packing your items inside the weatherproof bag, it’s important to prioritize placing the heavier cargo at the bottom. Additionally, avoid loading the items into the bag while it is on the ground. Doing so could result in neck and back injuries when attempting to lift the bag onto your roof bar. Instead, it is advisable to first lay the weatherproof bag on the roof bar and then proceed with loading the items onto it.
Step 4: Always ensure to securely tie down your cargo. As mentioned in one of the earlier tips, failing to properly secure your items can result in damage and accidents. For enhanced efficiency, consider using a weatherproof bag that includes reliable straps. This option makes it easier and more convenient to secure your items onto the roof bar, providing added safety during transportation.
Roof bars provide an efficient solution for expanding your storage capacity during long road journeys. By following what we have mentioned in the above, you can effectively maximize the extra storage space and make the most out of your roof bars for your upcoming adventure.