When driving the world’s toughest terrains, the supplies you carry certainly matter. In the same breath, overloading your vehicle with supplies and upgrades will not only slow you down but make your 4×4 particularly unsafe to drive. That’s where storage solutions like roof racks come in!
With a roof rack, you can pack like a pro without impacting the performance of your vehicle. Off-road-rated roof racks will also help you carry the supplies you need to survive and thrive in the most remote or rugged destinations securely.
We could go on (and on) about the benefits of purchasing a roof rack for your 4×4, but all the advantages of a roof rack upgrade depend entirely on purchasing the right design for your vehicle and your needs. Read on to discover what you should consider when buying a roof rack.
How much can the roof rack carry?
This may be the first question in our list of considerations, but it is certainly not the most important – more on that later! The capacity of the roof rack will determine how much it can carry, yet how much you should carry depends on a number of other factors, which brings us to our next point.
How much does the roof rack weigh?
Overloading your vehicle is of course a huge no-no, which means how much your roof rack weighs should be considered very carefully indeed. Like any other upgrade, the addition of a roof rack will contribute to your 4×4’s payload – i.e. the carrying capacity of the vehicle as set by its manufacturer – and that’s before it’s been loaded with all those supplies.
Check your vehicle’s remaining payload (minus the upgrades you’ve already implemented and the weight of any supplies/passengers) to decipher how much weight you can afford to dedicate to a new roof rack.
Which mounting position and tie-down points should I go for?
How you will mount your roof rack is another vital consideration. The position of your roof rack could be dictated by many factors, with the aerodynamics, handling and fuel efficiency of your vehicle all negatively affected by a mounting position that doesn’t work.
Once goods are mounted, they also have to be secured. Make sure the attachment or tie-down points offered by your shortlisted roof racks are suitable for your requirements.
What roof rack design will work best for me?
Unbeknown to most, there are a number of roof rack designs you can choose from, some of which will be better suited to your requirements than others.
Classic basket designs for example are great for general and off-road use, with this particular product providing an excellent storage solution for luggage, camping gear, and large or irregular items. Flat roof racks are fantastic options for those looking to use a rooftop tent during their trip, while modular racks are the most versatile designs of them all!
What about the material the roof rack is made from?
Roof racks are just as varied when it comes to the materials they are constructed from. Here Snowys explains which roof rack material is the best option:
“Most roof racks are made of aluminium or steel and sometimes have plastic components as well. Steel is cheaper than aluminium, which makes it popular. However, it’s also much heavier than aluminium and has a bad habit of rusting (even through powder coating) and putting rust spots on your roof (especially the cheap ones).”
Looking for a premium, off-road-rated roof rack that ticks all your boxes? Shop our roof rack range today.
