If you’re planning on taking a long trip in your 4×4 then it’s unlikely you’ll be able to fit everything required in the vehicle itself, particularly if it’s a camping trip. That’s why you’ll find dozens of 4WD roof rack options to suit all vehicles and requirements. Here we’ll be taking you through the available options and outlining the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Roof bars
This is the lightest and most affordable option but you will be limited when it comes to what you can attach to them. If all you want to hunt on top of your vehicle is some fishing rods or possibly the occasional canoe, then this might be enough for you. Many 4×4 models even come with roof bars fitted as standard, so you might not even need to make any additional purchases.
If you want to attach anything securely though, make sure you go with the bars that run from side to side as the ones that run lengthwise down the vehicle are not really good for anything other than aesthetics.
Baskets
This is the next step up. Baskets (otherwise known as cages) are, as the name suggests, solutions that look almost like large, flat shopping baskets that can be securely mounted to your roof.
These heavy-duty options are comfortably the most popular option and there are dozens of sizes and configurations available. These roof racks are either gutter mounted (on older vehicles) but are more typically or mounted directly onto your vehicle to allow you to carry everything from plastic tubs containing all your belongings to jerry cans and everything in-between.
Roof racks for roof tents
While basket-style racks might be suitable for storage they are not really intended to be used for roof tents, which are becoming an increasingly popular option amongst regular off-roaders. For this purpose, we’d always recommend a flat rack or trade racks which are open at the front and rear and are the only options robust enough to support the weight of a roof tent and its inhabitants..
Choosing the right rack
When it comes to selecting the right roof rack for your needs there are various options to consider. First, you’re going to need to choose your rack type, which is going to be either the aforementioned basket (deluxe), trade (ladder or open front and rear) or flat rack. There is also the touring rack option, which only has a rail at the front of the vehicle.
There are also the various brands to consider, with ARB, Britpart and Front Runner very much the most respected names in the game. For our money, the recently launched ARB BASE Rack is perhaps the best value proposition currently for most users.
How much weight can I apply?
This will depend less on your roof rack and more on your vehicle. Every 4WD vehicle will have a roof loading capacity based on the strength of the roof and how it’s supported. Note that the weight limit doesn’t just include what you’re going to be storing up there but the weight of the roof racks themselves too. If you go over this limit with your 4×4 storage and an accident happens, your insurance might not cover you.
What can I carry on my roof rack?
Even without an additional storage option, with a sturdy roof rack such as the ARB roof rack, you should be able to carry anything that is too awkwardly shaped to fit into your vehicle naturally as long as it falls under the maximum roof weight threshold. That’s why you’ll often see things such as kayaks and surfboards transported on roof racks.
More interestingly, however, is the option of storing solar panels on your roof rack. This is a relatively modern concept that has been already taking off in sunnier countries. We might be a few years away from an electric 4×4 that can be powered solely by solar power but it’s an enticing eventuality that’s certainly within reach.
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