With a roof rack, your car becomes an all-purpose, trip-taking machine for your active family. Even while basic roof racks are a common feature on many vehicles and SUVs, if your vehicle doesn’t already have one, you can install one yourself.
Whatever your car’s starting configuration—bare roof (no rack at all), roof rails (no crossbars), or complete rack—with these suggestions, you’ll quickly have your gear loaded and prepared for your next family vacation.
In This Article...
Are crossbars necessary to build a roof rack?
We strongly advise owning a roof rack. They let you transport practically anything that your automobile can’t or won’t fit. Large items like bikes or boats may be involved, as well as filthy items like hockey or camping gear.
Some automobiles have rack systems fitted from the outset; others do not. If your crossbars are factory-installed, you might not require an aftermarket rack system and instead can purchase attachments (like kayak carriers) with universal attachment mechanisms that will snap right onto your factory-installed bars.
You’ll need to purchase a rack system if your bike doesn’t come with factory crossbars. Your roof’s appearance and the items you intend to carry will determine the type of rack you purchase.
What is a rack system?
Crossbars and supports make up the foundation of a rack system. To span your car, you’ll need two crossbars and a means of fastening those bars to it. The elements you’ll hear us discuss are:
To what do crossbars attach?
To provide a mounting point for your accessories, load bars or crossbars are attached to your towers or feet and run from the driver-side window to the passenger-side window. Fit Kits or Landing Pads are components designed specifically for your vehicle that attach the tower to it.
What distinguishes roof rails from roof racks?
You’ve probably thought about acquiring roof rails or roof racks if you want to expand your car’s cargo space. The best, safest method to transport luggage, bicycles, kayaks, and a variety of other items that simply won’t fit inside your car is using roof rails and roof racks. To support a roof basket, baggage box, ski rack, bike carrier, or kayak carrier, even a basic roof rail rack foundation may accommodate a wide variety of attachments and accessories.
Roof rails are another easy method to give your car a distinctive appearance and flair while also allowing you to secure cargo to the roof. The information provided here should assist you in choosing between roof rails and roof racks if you want to improve the load carrying capacity of your automobile but aren’t sure which option will work best.
Both roof rails and roof racks let you carry things safely on top of your automobile. This makes them extremely comparable. The direction in which these are positioned on top of your vehicles’ roofs is the key distinction between the two. For instance, roof racks are fitted across the roof and roof rails run the length of the car’s roof attached by feet or other installations.
Roof rails offer points of attachment for crossbars or other add-ons like a cargo box, a ski rack, or a cargo carrier. When necessary, it is simple to add and remove these baggage attachments. Vehicle roofs with flush-mounted roof rails lie flat with no gap between the rail and the roof.
Another distinction between the two is that roof racks are more durable and made to support heavier loads. It is crucial to have roof racks properly fitted since they can select the appropriate kind of roof rack for your requirements. They will also discuss the risks associated with loading the roof rack beyond its capacity.
Surprisingly, most people are unaware of the risks posed by a vehicle top that is overloaded. In addition to endangering the safety of the vehicle and its occupants, an overloaded roof rack can invalidate auto insurance claims in the event that the automobile is involved in an accident and its overloaded roof is found to be the cause.
How much time does installing cross bars take?
Depending on the form of the roof rack and the kind of automobile you have, installing roof racks takes a certain amount of time. Naturally, installing a rack system that clamps to pre-fitted roof rails will take longer than installation that involves some measuring and drilling. How well you are able to complete the work will also have a significant impact on how long it takes you to install the rack. We’d estimate that a straightforward installation might take just 30 minutes to complete. A more complicated connection technique can take up to four hours.
Even though installing roof racks could appear difficult at first, you’ll soon realize how straightforward it can be. The installation will go more smoothly if you make sure you have the appropriate roof rack for your vehicle, follow the directions, and have assistance. Now that you are aware of how straightforward the installation of a roof rack is, look through the selection of Overlanding roof racks we provide, choose the one that best suits your vehicle, and then complete the installation with ease.
Is installing roof bars simple?
Absolutely! Installing roof bars is an easy DIY project. Here are our top five suggestions to ensure a successful job:
- Brush up! The roof rack can be easily removed in the future by applying a small amount of copper grease to all of the fasteners.
- torque controls. Pay attention to the directions, follow the torque settings, and avoid overtightening your roof rack to avoid damaging it or your vehicle.
- Get support! A second set of hands will make installing your roof bars considerably simpler and reduce the possibility of damaging or scratching anything while doing so.
- Men, we’re talking to you, read the directions! It is imperative to thoroughly study all roof rack instructions because they contain crucial information on torque settings and fitting positions.
- Keep it tidy. Make sure your car’s roof is spotless, especially if you plan to install a roof rack in the shape of a door jamb. Make sure your roof is clean before installing because grit or dirt caught between the mounting points or support could ruin your paintwork.
Without rails, can a roof rack be mounted?
Don’t worry if your car lacks factory rails; there are still ways for you to add some bars to your roof. Some automobiles—especially BMW, Volkswagen, and Mazda—have fixed mounting points from the factory.
What position should roof bars be in?
The bars should be spaced between 24 and 36 inches apart, measured from the same position on each crossbar, unless otherwise specified in the construction instructions. The most support for Thule products mounted on roofs is offered at this distance.
How much space between crossbars is ideal?
The crossbars must have a weight rating at least as great as the weight of the Roofnest and be at least 30 inches apart.
Does It Fit My Car?
Although most roof rack systems contain some modular parts, your specific options will depend on the year, make, and model of your car. For the majority of vehicles, brands like Yakima and Thule currently provide one or more solutions, but at ReRack, we are able to offer a wide range of options, from now-discontinued designs to the most cutting-edge racks. Contact us if you’re unsure about the parts your car needs! We are glad to assist. See this section of our guide for a description of the common roof rack types.
How Much Is It Going To Cost?
For our clients, price is typically the most crucial consideration. We attempt to stock as many return and used things as we can because you’ll save money and it’s better for the environment (the majority of a rack’s carbon lifecycle occurs during original construction). We also provide a wide selection of brand-new roof racks, of course!
At ReRack, we only offer racks and accessories made by reputable companies like Yakima, Thule, and Rhino-Rack. These roof racks often have greater weight and gear capacities than stock manufacturing racks. The cost of a base roof rack will vary depending on if you want new components, an aerodynamic profile, and the year, make, and model of your car. Complete roof rack systems range in price from about $150 for a secondhand rack on older vehicles to more than $500 for a brand-new, top-of-the-line arrangement that is aerodynamic.
What Do I Want To Carry?
The majority of the time, people purchase a roof rack so they may attach specialized mounts (such as bike racks, kayak carriers, cargo boxes, etc.) to them or because they already have roof mounts. Purchasing a roof rack and roof rack mounts from the same brand is the easiest and least expensive option.
While some goods can be used with several crossbar types, others need additional adapters that must be bought separately or simply won’t function with particular crossbars.
Consider your needs and whether a certain brand is best suited for the equipment you plan to place on your roof rack.
What’s Going To Look Good?
Everyone has own tastes, right? You might choose square or round crossbars; you might need more height; you might prefer silver or black; you might prefer round crossbars or square ones. Before making a choice, compare a few different rack manufacturers because they all have slightly distinct designs.
What is a crossbar placed at the factory?
What are Raised Side Rails Installed at the Factory? The most popular vehicles with higher side rails are minivans and SUVs. They can serve as attachment points for an aftermarket roof rack system and run front to back on the roof of your car. Crossbars and a leg kit are needed for this design.
A roof rack: Is it worth it?
Roof racks that span east to west over the roof of your car, like our Whispbar HD and LocknLoad Bars, give you a more secure load. Roof racks are made to support heavier loads of stuff. To prevent the risk of an overloaded vehicle, it is crucial to follow the weight restrictions and not overload the roof rack. It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of insurance companies won’t pay for accidents if your load is greater than the advised maximum.
A vehicle’s roof rails are attached in a north-south direction, parallel to the length of the automobile. Additionally, they give your car an aerodynamic appearance and give you the option to secure goods to the roof that would not otherwise fit in your car. The fact that roof rails are frequently factory fitted means that the rails cannot be used independently. However, a variety of various roof rail additions are available to enhance your stability and load capacity. It’s very simple to attach roof racks to your car’s roof rails. To precisely and safely attach the racks to the rails, make sure to follow the instructions and have a measuring tape on available.
In conclusion, roof rails work well for bigger lighter loads if the proper attachments are used. On their own, roof rails serve as a transporter for bulky objects. Roof racks are the way to go if you want a car roof transport option that offers you the most cargo weight, stability, and safety.