Logo rotaautoservice.com
Category: Auto

Roof Rack: How To Choose?

2024

Table of contents:

Video: Roof Rack: How To Choose?

Video: Roof Rack: How To Choose?
Video: How to choose the best MTB roof rack for your car | MBR 2024, March
Roof Rack: How To Choose?
Roof Rack: How To Choose?
Anonim
Image
Image

The first step is to determine how to attach the additional trunk to this very roof. To do this, just look at her. There are several basic types of mounts:

1. Over the gutters. It is found mainly in domestic cars. Since gutters run along the entire roof, luggage racks can be fixed anywhere. This allows you to choose the trunk of any length and size (half the roof or the whole). In addition, the same trunk can be easily installed on any other car with similar mounts.

Image
Image

2. Regular places. If there are plastic plugs on the roof, most likely, the manufacturer has provided special places for fixing the trunk in advance and it is better to use them, as they are usually additionally reinforced. A significant minus of this type of fasteners - transverse and / or longitudinal arches can be fixed only in the factory holes, which limits the size of the luggage system as a whole.

Image
Image

3. Railings. In fact, these are two rails running along the roof, which are attached to the body at several points. Usually there is some clearance between the roof and roof rails. Trunk racks are easy to install and versatile, as the transverse arches can be fixed almost anywhere. The only negative is that the center of gravity of the load with this type of fastening will be located slightly higher compared to other types, since the arcs are mounted on top of the standard cross members. This may adversely affect the behavior of the vehicle.

Image
Image

4. Integrated roof rails. Unlike standard ones, they creep along the entire length and have no clearance between themselves and the roof. Cars with similar are increasingly found on our roads. Trunks in this case are selected individually, as the locking elements must repeat the geometry of the railing. As a rule, luggage systems consist of three parts - a universal support, arches of the desired section and length, as well as fasteners. Installation takes a little longer than with standard rails, but not complicated. There are universal models of luggage racks that can be fixed to rails of any shape, but nevertheless, before buying it is better to consult additionally at the expense of their compatibility or even try them on.

5. T-shaped profile. It is found not so often and mainly on large SUVs, station wagons and minibuses. It’s a pity, since this type of mount has almost no drawbacks. The rails are laid along almost the entire length of the roof, the crossbars in them can be fixed in any place using special mortgages. Due to the low profile height, the load is located as close to the roof as possible, while not in contact with it.

If you have not seen any of the types of mounting on the roof of your car, do not despair. There are several more options for cars with a smooth roof.

Image
Image

6. Behind the doorway. The luggage carrier is mounted on the roof with the help of profiled side locks, on which the luggage compartment mounts themselves are subsequently installed. All parts in contact with the body are made of either rubber or metal coated with polymer - the risk of damage to the paintwork is minimized.

7. Belts through the cabin that hold the inflatable luggage rack. A rather exotic option, however, is found. The inflatable sections, fixed by belts, are laid directly on the roof. Baggage is placed on top of them. Most often, such luggage carriers are used by owners of compact cars when it is impossible to install a full-fledged trunk.

8. On the magnets. Another not often found option, although recently gaining popularity. The pluses are obvious - such mounts can be placed anywhere on the roof. Cons too - to transport with the help of such mounts you can only very light loads, such as skis. Plus, the magnets come in contact with the paintwork and can leave marks on it.

Image
Image

Having dealt with the type of fastening, then you need to determine the look of the luggage system itself. The most popular are the following: the so-called luggage racks-baskets (before our motorists only these were available) and transverse arches. The first, as a rule, are selected to the car not only by the type of fastening, but also depending on the size of the roof. The second in this regard are more universal and give greater freedom of choice. Therefore, modern motorists increasingly prefer them. The most affordable are steel arcs of rectangular cross section. If you rarely use the luggage system, you can save and opt for these.

Image
Image

If you transport goods or sports equipment often, it is better to give preference to aluminum with an aerodynamic profile. They are lighter (with the same carrying capacity), make less noise and look much more aesthetically pleasing. True, they cost significantly more.

Image
Image

When choosing a trunk or arcs, you must also pay attention to the following points:

  • what weight they support and what weight the roof of your car can support (this information can be found in the instruction manual);
  • quality of the materials from which they are made. It is better to give preference to products made of aluminum, stainless steel or ABS plastic;
  • is it possible to further protect them and the transported cargo from theft by various locking systems;
  • manufacturer’s reputation and product reviews.

At the last point I want to stop a little more. There are many manufacturers of car trunks, we will single out the most noticeable ones, because each of them is good in its own way.

From European it is worth paying attention to the following:

THULE. The Swedish concern is the undisputed industry leader and trendsetter. If there is an opportunity to buy a trunk of this manufacturer, it is better to do so. The safety margin is higher than analogues, ideally suited to any car. Hence the high price of products.

Yakima (Whispbar). Leader in the manufacture of luggage systems in the Americas. Trunks stand out for their elegant appearance and impeccable aerodynamics. Installation does not take much time, while the products perfectly "sit" on the car. Prices, like THULE, also “bite”, but you end up with a high-tech product with excellent characteristics.

ATERA is a German brand specializing in the manufacture of luggage systems. The traditional design and the highest quality of the luggage compartment attracts the audience with the highest demands.

MONTBLANC (AUTOMAXI). Another Swedish company producing high-quality products. Unfortunately, they have recently been found less and less on Russian shelves due to the high price.

It is gratifying that Russian manufacturers also improve the quality of their products from year to year, use better raw materials, hire designers to work out the appearance of luggage systems.

The leaders in the domestic market are the following companies:

LUX. The company is developing at a tremendous speed, paying great attention to new developments. Every year, it improves old products and demonstrates new products, while at the same time it keeps very affordable prices on its products. Already now, for example, it offers several different options for arcs that will fit almost any car.

ATLANT. A manufacturer from St. Petersburg with a wide assortment and affordable price.

FICO. Another company that has proved in practice that you can combine quality, elegance, impeccable appearance of products without sacrificing their functionality and practicality. But, unfortunately, at the moment it offers products only for roof rails.

Of course, we did not list all the manufacturers represented in our market. There are many more. In order not to get confused in the whole variety of brands and their products, we recommend that you contact the experienced consultants of the Za Rulem online store. Our employees will select the best options for free and talk about the features of installation and operation of a particular design!

By the way, an important point: the car’s additional equipment with luggage systems allows using them with the help of various additional fastenings, for example, a car box, devices for transporting bicycles or skis. If your main goal is the transportation of goods, then it is worth buying the appropriate fastening belts.

Recommended:

New

Red Price. Examination Of Cheap Spark Plugs

Test of inexpensive spark plugs - we compare power, efficiency, consumption and toxicity and make a rating of spark plugs. Let’s figure out if it’s worth buying expensive spark plugs or whether you can do it simple and cheap

Read More
Auto News Rating From June 28 To July 4

Auto News Rating from June 28 to July 4

Read More
Editor'S Choice
Best reviews for the week
Popular for the day