How to Use a Roof Rack on Your Car

There are lots of factors that help to determine how much you enjoy weekend getaways and UK adventures. For some people, good weather is very important for an enjoyable trip, while for others, finding the perfect destination is what it is all about. Something that is probably even more important than these factors, is whether you have everything you need for your trip.

 

If you do not have enough room to pack equipment or to take clothes to suit all the different types of weather, your experience won’t be the same. This is why it is important to make sure you have adequate storage space, particularly if you are travelling as a family or group, or if you have large sports equipment, for example.

 

Using a roof rack is one of the best options for storing items when travelling to your destination. You can safely and securely carry bikes, surfboards, skis or any other large bulky items that will not fit inside your vehicle.

 

These are some of the main benefits of using a roof rack compared to other storage solutions:

 

Maximise storage space

 

Being able to store items on your roof provides you with a huge amount of space to store items such as camping gear, bikes, fishing gear etc. Without the convenience of a roof rack, you might need to hire equipment like bikes and surfboards at a cost and would not have the equipment that you have specifically chosen and are familiar with.

 

Versatility

 

Roof racks can be used in different ways, using a range of accessories. As well as being able to attach cycle carriers and other sports equipment carriers to the rack, you can also carry luggage, or even attach a roof box for more compact storage space.

 

More room within your vehicle

 

You can move items that take up a lot of room out of your vehicle to store them on the roof rack, providing all passengers with extra room and a more comfortable journey.

 

So, a roof rack ensures you can take all the equipment you need for your adventures and still have plenty of room in the vehicle, without feeling cramped as your travel.

 

But how difficult are they to install? Most roof rack models are straightforward to install, as you can see in these easy steps:

 

Identify the roof type

 

Before you get started, you should check what roof type you have, to find the right foot pack and fitting kit.

 

The different types are:

 

• Normal rails
• Fixed points
• Flush rails
• Rain gutter
• T-Track
• Raised rails

 

Choose the rack for your vehicle make and model

 

You now need to find a rack that is designed for your make and model of vehicle. You can use online tools such as the Thule Roofbar Quick Search to select your make and model to see which racks are available.

 

The installation process will vary slightly for each different roof rack, so you will need to check the instructions that will come with your specific rack.

 

Installation overview

 

Most roof rack fitting kits will include clamps that fit into your door frame and pads that sit on your roof that will ensure your vehicle does not get scratched.

 

You then need to attach the four feet that connect to the kit and work as attachment points for the crossbars. Once you have mounted the roof rack system, make sure that the rack does not move at all when you try to shake it.

 

The top brands such as Thule provide video tutorials, as well as written instructions, to walk you through the installation process. You can watch a Thule 7106 Evo Flush Rail Mounting video tutorial here to get a better idea.

 

Many roof racks come pre-assembled to make the installation process easier, for example, the Thule WingBar Edge is pre-assembled for you, so you can quickly attach it to your roof.

 

Buying your roof rack with PF Jones

 

When you shop with PF Jones for your roof rack, as well as accessing one of the biggest product ranges in the UK, you also have the support of experts who can provide installation advice and product recommendations.

 

We work with Thule because it is one of the leading manufacturers of roof racks and our customers get great value for quality products that are easy to install, so they can soon be on their way to new adventures.

 

You can shop our roof racks here and get ready for your trip today.