The roof rack that lives on the roof

The holiday season, of course, is not yet soon, but traveling by car is good because it is not tied to any seasons. There would be a desire, time and a car.
And if you travel often and (or) far, you probably thought about purchasing an additional car trunk. And since you opened this article to read, it means that you haven’t bought it yet.

Let's see in this review what luggage racks are, how to install them correctly, what are the operating requirements and legal nuances. Let's not forget about the economic component of the issue.
There are two types of external racks that are most widely used - bike racks and roof racks. Separately, you can also say about the devices for transporting skis and snowboards. Of course, there are more specific devices that allow you to load surfboards, kayaks and other bulky sports equipment. But this product is not mass, exclusively for the initiated.
We will not dwell on forwarding trunks for off-road vehicles. Again, this is the lot of professionals and enthusiasts mired in their hobby, who have not played enough in childhood in the red partisans.

Carriers for transporting skis and snowboards.

The design of such a mount is simple - two strips connected at one end with a hinge, on the other hand, lockable. Naturally, a pair of such mounts is required for transportation. They are fixed on the roof of the car on pre-installed crossbars. They opened the locks, raised the upper bars, put skis on the lower bars, lowered the upper bars, snapped the locks. All.
Of the advantages - only ease of use and relatively low cost. Of the shortcomings - everything else.



I know from my own experience that this is not an option for long-distance travel. First of all, because the equipment is transported unprotected, open to precipitation and dirt flying from the road. Packing skis in a case will also fail - there is a chance that the mounts simply will not close with a case. And what will this cover turn into after 1000 km of travel? At least you can wash your skis, and it will be easier to throw away the cover right away. You can, of course, wrap the skis in wrapping film, but tell me then, where is the convenience here?
Again, unpacked equipment whistles great at speed - the aerodynamics of the skis are still the same. And, having installed such mounts on the roof, you will no longer be able to put a luggage box. Either this or that.

Perhaps, a ski trunk will be really convenient only for local movements inside the ski resort. For example, when you need to drive a couple of kilometers from your place of residence to the ski lift. In this case, ease of use is critical and disadvantages become irrelevant. It is recommended to take it with you and use it locally.

Bicycle racks

Bicycle mounts have several options that differ in the method and place of installation on the car. Each has its own merits and demerits.

Rooftop installation

As a rule, one mount is designed for one bike (there are options for two). Of the pluses - reliable fixation, free access to the cabin and trunk, the possibility of sharing with a luggage box.



There are also disadvantages. For each bike you will have to purchase a separate mount. Two, well, a maximum of three bicycles are placed on the roof of the car (in this case, there can be no talk of any boxing). Equipment has to be lifted high enough. Aerodynamics "great" on the roof also do not improve. And not every garage or parking lot will be able to call in - the height dimension increases by a meter or more.

Installation on a towing device (hitch)

In this case, bicycles are placed not along the direction of travel, but across. The advantages of this solution are ease of installation, a significantly lower loading height, the ability to carry three or four bicycles and at the same time have a roof box.



The weaknesses of this option are as follows. Access to the trunk can be difficult (although some models provide the ability to open the door without removing the bikes). The length of the bike is usually greater than the width of the car, so the wheels will protrude beyond the clearance - this must be remembered. Visibility back worsens, in some cases it simply ceases to exist. The cost of such racks is much higher than that of roof racks.

Tailgate installation

Using a system of straps and clips, this attachment is fixed directly on the tailgate.



The pros and cons are about the same as the previous option. Unless there is an additional risk of damaging the paintwork.

Keep in mind that bike racks are only for bikes. Attempts to attach another load to them can lead to sad consequences. If such a need still exists, then read below.

luggage boxes

Universal trunks suitable for various cargoes. The main thing is that the restrictions on dimensions and weight are not violated.
The design of all is more or less the same - a plastic pallet with a lifting lid. But the devil is in the details, so choosing the “right” box can be a non-trivial task.



Here are the main parameters to consider when choosing a trunk.

Dimensions and volume

As a rule, the size of the internal space is indicated in liters - this gives an idea of ​​\u10b\uXNUMXbhow much you can pack there things. Another important parameter is the length. If you are going to carry skis, the box may be narrow, but always long. By the way, the length of the box is indicated by the outer dimensions, therefore, in order not to be mistaken, add about XNUMX cm to the dimensions of your luggage - this will be enough.

roof mount

In the vast majority of cases, the box is fixed on transverse rails that are pre-installed on the roof of the car. Different manufacturers may have their own methods of fixing, but most often these are L-shaped or U-shaped metal brackets that are adjacent to the crossbars and are rigidly fixed inside the wardrobe trunk with nuts or “lambs”. Thule uses an adjustable clamp that "bites" the rail like a pincer. None of the methods have a fundamental advantage - the only question is convenience and price. The main thing to watch out for is that the fixation is strong, without backlash.

Material

Luggage boxes are made, most often, from ABS plastic, acrylic or polyamide materials. In some cases, the structure is reinforced with metal inserts or fiberglass. They try to make wardrobe trunks as light as possible, while they can be decent in size. Therefore, if the plastic "plays" in the open state, this is not critical. The main thing is that in the closed state the structure acquires rigidity and does not “breathe” at hand.

Locks and stops

It is very important to pay attention to the design of the lock, especially if you choose products from an unknown company. The lock must be reliable, preferably with several crossbars. The stops holding the lid may be spring-loaded, may be gas, or may not be at all. It is better not to mess with the latest options - a good manufacturer will not save on such trifles.

By the way, in many models, the design provides for the possibility of opening the lid on both sides - depending on which side is more convenient to get close. This is convenient, but such a service affects the price. Of course, not in a smaller direction.

How to use

When choosing a luggage box, try to ensure that its external dimensions do not extend beyond the front or rear edge of the car roof.



Loading also needs to be taken seriously. Try to leave all the heaviest items in the car. Remember that the heavier the luggage case, the higher the center of gravity will be - the car will become rolled in corners, and this is fraught with unpleasant surprises.



Be sure to fix the load inside the box. For this, as a rule, the manufacturer provides a system of fasteners. If not - give up such a trunk!
Check the reliability of fixing the box to the crossbars, the crossbars to the car, the load inside the compartment.

The price of the issue.

The cost of luggage boxes varies greatly depending on the size, volume and manufacturer. Moreover, in the range from several thousand to several hundred thousand rubles!



Therefore, if you are not an avid car traveler, it is worth considering renting. The rental price, depending on the size, will be 500-1500 rubles / day. And for one-time trips, it is definitely more profitable.

Will they not be fined?

Some time ago, a panic began on the network about changes to the Technical Regulations "On the safety of wheeled vehicles." Many saw in them a ban on the use of external trunks.



This is not true. Responsibility will come if you use a "home-made" trunk. If the equipment is of factory origin, there will be no questions for you.
So do not be afraid and bolder on the road!