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 configurationbare roof (no rack at all), roof rails (no crossbars), or complete rackwith these suggestions, you’ll quickly have your gear loaded and prepared for your next family vacation.
In This Article...
Full Roof Rack
Your objective has already been mostly completed if your car has roof rails and crossbars. You merely need gear adapters, that’s all. For example, customized adapters clamp to your current crossbars to transport a bike or a kayak.
Installation takes only a few minutes and only a few simple tools, if any at all, are needed. To make moving your equipment even simpler, several automakers, like Subaru, sell individual parts. After installation, load your equipment in accordance with the manual that came with the adapters.
RoofRailsOnly
Your car’s roof rails are really just a smaller version of a full roof rack. A set of crossbars is the ingredient that is lacking. Although your car’s manufacturer presumably makes crossbars specifically for your particular make and model, you can also likely find aftermarket crossbars that connect to your existing roof rails. Use the provided tool or a set of simple hand tools to attach them. Once the crossbars are in place, you must locate the proper adapters to mount the particular equipment you are towing.
Bare Roof
Factory and aftermarket alternatives can get you and your gear on the road with minimum hassle even if all you have to work with is a plain roof. Your service center can typically provide the templates and drilling needed for factory roof racks. On the other hand, you can install a set of factory roof racks in about an hour with the right equipment, factory instructions, and persistence.
There are alternatives to factory roof racks. Bolt-on roof racks will demand careful consideration while designing and building, especially with regard to waterproofing. When not in use, clamp-on roof racks are simple to mount and demount without the need for drilling.
Things to Keep in Mind Regarding Roof Racks
Depending on your car, aftermarket roof racks could not come as a kit but rather as individual pieces. Similar to this, gear adapters are specialized, e.g., for a cargo basket or snowboard, so you just need to acquire what you require. Look for security elements that can help prevent theft of your roof rack, adapters, and most crucially, your equipment, such as a keyed clamp, special installation tools, or a security cable pass-through.
Any non-factory racks, or at the very least the crossbars, should be taken off while not in use. Even empty roof racks can significantly harm your car’s aerodynamics, reducing its fuel efficiency. Of course, you won’t have to worry about this if you’re actually carrying stuff.
Be careful when loading and unloading your gear because roof racks are high, possibly even above your head. You might damage yourself, break a window, or scratch the paint. However, if you put in a little extra work, you’ll soon be cruising to the beach or the slopes without any mess!
Consider shopping for all the cargo accessory products on NAPA Online or having your regular maintenance and repairs handled at one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare facilities instead. Consult a qualified specialist at your nearby NAPA AUTO PARTS shop for more details on roof racks.
How can a roof rail be taken off a Toyota Highlander?
Removing the roof rack from your Toyota Highlander makes sense if you don’t use it and will make the car look more svelte. In fact, it might even help you get slightly better gas mileage!
You should: to take off the roof rack on a Toyota Highlander:
- On either end of the roof rack rails, you may find the plastic caps.
- Use a putty knife or other tool to pry them off. To prevent scratching or damaging the caps, use a plastic pry tool as opposed to a metal one, if at all possible.
- Remove the washers and nuts that hold the roof rack rails in place.
- Remove the roof rack rails from the car.
You will then have the slick, professional appearance you desired. You should carry auto insurance because you obviously take good care of your car.
Use Jerry, a free insurance comparison app that compares rates from more than 50 different insurance providers including Travelers, Nationwide, and Progressive, to make sure you have the coverage you require without overpaying. You may make adjustments at any time, receive prices instantly, and text an agent with any queries you may have.
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.
Direction
The way they lie is the main distinction between roof rails and roof racks. From the hood to the trunk, roof rails extend the length of your car. From the driver’s side to the front passenger’s side of your automobile, roof racks and roof bars are installed crosswise.
Functionality
Roof rails are frequently included in the design of your car. They communicate in a variety of ways. Some have a raised design that results in a space between the rail and the car’s roof. Others are seated right up to the car’s roof. These rails’ main use is to give roof racks mounting points. They do not act as carriers in and of themselves.
In contrast, roof racks serve as a transporter for your cargo. They often have a platform or rack of some kind in addition to a set of crossbars or roof bars. This platform could be a modular rack system, a kayak rack, or a cargo box. The vehicle’s current roof rails are where the roof bars are mounted.
We notice the distinction in the names of roof bars and roof racks when we examine them more closely. Roof bars, also known as crossbars, are a group of typically two bars that span the top of the vehicle. In contrast, a roof rack has multiple crossbars and frequently has a modular design. The racks occasionally observe a fixed layout with a predetermined number of crossbars.
In some cases, the roof rack system can be mounted at the same locations as the existing rails. In order to install the roof racks, you must here remove the rails. Typically, flush roof rails are installed in this manner in automobiles. The method for installing the roof racks depends on the type of rails your vehicle has. Your choice of roof racks will also affect how they are installed.
Elevated Roof Rails
These enable the clamping or connection of crossbars. They have a gap between the rail and the roof of the car that is about two inches wide. Although less aerodynamic than flat rails, they nonetheless provide a surface to which rope can be attached.
Flush Rails
These are attached flush to the roof of the car. They have a much more fashionable appearance and outstanding aerodynamic qualities. Perfect for anyone who values fuel economy. The drawback of these rails is that installing roof rack systems requires removing them. Additionally, attaching ropes to these rails is not a possibility.
Roof racks must be installed. These systems are purchased separately from the vehicle. Your choice of roof racks will depend on the type of vehicle you drive and their intended use. Depending on your car’s roof, these systems will need to be installed differently.
Bare Roof Vehicles
These vehicles frequently use universal roof racks for vehicles with no roof. Typically, the set will clamp to the car’s doorjamb, fastening the crossbars. Crossbars themselves are available everywhere. However, the clamps that attach the bars to the car are made to work with a particular type of car. The Rhino Rack Vortex 2500 Silver 2 Bar Roof Racks is one such instance of a roof racks system.
Cars with bare roofs can also have roof racks installed by drilling into the body of the automobile. This installation procedure is difficult and long-lasting. Using this method, you may securely fasten your roof racks to the car’s roof. And while it is robust, if done incorrectly, it could result in problems like water damage.
Rain Gutter Roof Systems
A clamp-style mounting technique is frequently used to attach roof racks to roofs that have rain gutters. The set will secure the racks in place by clamping to the door jamb and rain gutter of the car. Rain gutters can be found on some vehicles, such as vintage Jeeps, but not on contemporary automobiles.
Factory Mounted or Flush Rail Systems
Some roof rack systems attach to factory-installed mounting points that are already present on the vehicle. These points can be found on the roof underneath approved coverings, flush rails, or weatherstripping. You may reach the mounting points by removing weatherstripping and the pre-existing flush rails. The rack system would then be bolted to these positions. Toyota Tacomas and 4Runners are two vehicles that use this system as an illustration.
Raised Rails
Roof rack installation is a breeze with these rails. This only takes a few minutes as the roof bars clip onto the already-existing rails. The ease with which the roof rack system can be removed is a benefit of this arrangement. a professional who makes cleaning and storing simple and hassle-free.
Carrying Luggage
You cannot solely rely on roof rails to transport items like kayaks and surfboards. They don’t provide stability or durability for carrying objects. For instance, your suitcases would rest flat on your car’s roof. Your paintwork would get dented and scratched as a result. Not to mention that the weight will cause the roof to sag.
Kayaks and fishing rods would need to be tethered across your truck. This is risky for a variety of reasons. The merchandise’ overhang would be much larger than what is permitted by law and might snag on trees and lampposts. Additionally, this inclination increases drag. Drag impacts how well your automobile handles and how much gasoline it uses.
Another minor concern is that flush rails cannot be used to attach ropes or bungee cords. How would you secure your bag? In addition to being against the law, leaving stuff lying about on your car’s roof is dangerous. Additionally, it is doubtful that you will carry your items with you when you reach your location.
Carriers are roof racks. They fasten to your car’s roof or rails. These systems function by evenly distributing the weight of the load applied to them. This keeps the roof of your car from buckling.
Your luggage is elevated off the roof using roof racks. They guard against paintwork scratches and damage. The system improves the aerodynamics of your load by suspending your things. Your fuel consumption and vehicle handling stay at their highest levels thanks to improved aerodynamics.
These rack systems also provide many of locations for you to rope or cable your merchandise. You and other travelers will remain safe if your luggage is properly secured.
Roof racks might they harm your car?
When it comes to traveling with a roof rack, the staff at Mick’s Garage are experts. For more than ten years, they have sold and installed roof racks on clients’ cars. They have acquired a plethora of experience and understanding about the typical problems you can encounter throughout that period. When installing and utilizing a roof rack, there are some frequent problems and errors that individuals make.
Here is MicksGarage’s list of the Top 10 Dos and Don’ts for avoiding them.
- Us guys typically don’t read directions, and to be honest, most of the time we get away with it (95% of the time)! Before taking a single bolt out of the box to install a roof rack on your car, it is crucial to read all the directions completely. In the long term, they will assist you in doing the task more quickly, easily, and safely. While not necessary, having an extra set of hands is unquestionably very beneficial. Don’t forget that your car is worth far more than the roof racks you just got; don’t ruin it by failing to read the directions!
2. “Take special note of the torque settings (if mentioned). A roof rack that is installed and utilized correctly will provide years of trouble-free service and won’t harm your automobile. Your automobile may sustain harm from a poorly fitting, overloaded, or improperly torqued roof rack. For some helpful advice on installing a roof rack properly, watch this MicksGarage video.
3. “The fittings on your roof rack can rust over time if it is left on your car and exposed to the environment. A little copper lubricant on the mounting bolt threads will help prevent corrosion and make removing them in the future much simpler to combat this.
4. “The maximum weight that can be carried on the top of your automobile is listed in the owner’s manual. It’s crucial to check and never go above whichever is the lesser of the two weight limits because we frequently find that the car has a lower restriction than the roof bars.
5. “Loading a roof rack with large, heavy objects can be challenging. Get help moving that 12-foot boat instead of damaging your beautiful paintwork by struggling and straining to move it. Things tend to break when you’re struggling and straining.
6. “You wouldn’t believe how many calls we receive from clients informing us they simply drove their car into a multi-story parking lot (or their own garage), forgot they had a roof rack, roof box, or bike rack installed, and ripped the whole lot off! Try to keep in mind the extra height you’re hauling because it becomes more of a problem on taller MPVs and 44s but is still a possibility in family saloons.
“Only security-locked roof racks are available at MicksGarage,” 7.
utilize them at all times, especially if you’re transporting expensive items like kayaks or bikes. Keeping your roof rack keys on your automobile key ring can also be a smart idea. Every year, we receive hundreds of calls from people looking for new keys.
8. “Canoes, kayaks, and surfboards must be secured to both the front and back of the vehicle, not only the roof rack. If the vehicle has a tow bar or towing eyes, you can use these. When moving at high speeds, these kinds of devices can produce extremely enormous quantities of aerodynamic lift and, if your roof rack is not correctly secured, they can completely rip it off your car. This is a particularly crucial aspect because even if you’re not moving very fast, severe windsand it’s frequently very windy when surfers and wind surfers venture outcould exert forces greater than the roof rack is rated for and harm the vehicle.
9. “Some roof rack add-ons, such roof boxes, have a maximum speed warning that shouldn’t be ignored. Speed increases the aerodynamic drag, therefore going over the speed limit could put too much force on the accessory or the roof rack. A roof rack nevertheless contributes some weight and aerodynamic drag to your car despite its use of lightweight materials and aerodynamic shapes. Even though it’s not much, it will have a negative impact on your fuel economy. So remove it if you aren’t using it!
10. “Finally, avoid the baboons if you’re planning to visit the safari area with a roof box mounted on your rack! Or simply make sure it is locked.