Do Roof Racks Damage Your Car

Do Roof Racks Damage Your Car?

Do roof racks damage your car? Of course, this is possible. A roof rack can cause damage to your car. This is usually the result of a badly installed roof rack. It is a likely outcome for a roof rack that isn’t properly tightened.

This will lead to sagging and can increase the likelihood of accidents. This can also occur if you are lifting heavy items using your vehicle. This is especially possible in wet weather when driving at high speeds.

If you are mounting a roof rack on your vehicle, you have to get it right. It needs to be installed properly. And you will have to properly secure it before adding any weight onto the car. All loose objects should be taken off the vehicle.

How Does A Roof Rack Damage Your Car?

A poorly installed roof rack that is not firm, will easily damage your car. It can easily create a twisting force. This force is usually located between the racks and the nuts, and the bolts. This will easily affect the loading and the stability of the roof cargo/bag and other loads on your vehicle.

This can cause damage or accident during a journey. These are some of the features that could cause damage to the roof rack. Also, on the other hand, all of these problems can be avoided if the roof racks are installed properly.

Steps To Installing A Roof Rack Properly

Before you install a roof rack, you should check all the parts. This will ensure that none of them is damaged or neither do they have nails that stick out. This can scratch the car if placed at the top.

You should know that there are various mounting systems for roof racks. Roof rack installation depends on the nature of the mounting system. These are the following steps to properly install a roof rack.

Step 1: Try To Understand The Nature Of The Mounting System

The right way to install your roof starts with you knowing the type of mounting system that you have. For instance, some roof racks are fitted straight to the roof of the car. These can be done using simple accessories like fit kits, crossbars, etc.

Step 2: Connecting The Roof Rack Frame

Next, screw up the crossbar and the rail sides. Attach this frame to the vehicle. Please, ensure that the roof rack is placed at the centre of the car. A simple measurement can get this done.

Step 3: Create The Holes For Mounting

Now, you should drill holes. Or you can also try to uncover the holes for mounting. Cars that have naked roofs will need you to drill holes onto the roof. This will be used to insert the roof rack. Some vehicles come with mount holes that are factory-issued. This means that there will not be any need for drilling.

Step 4: Fix The Frame Base By Tightening The Roof

The next thing to do is to get the screws tightened up. This can be done by inserting the screws through the rails. This should help fix the roof base onto the car.

If there are roof rails on your vehicle, you should keep an eye out for the thumbscrews. This will help loosen up the rails. This will ensure that their location will be changed whenever needed.

Step 5: Clamp Down The Mounting System Anywhere Necessary

Start clamping the mounts onto the crossbars. Begin from the rear and towards the front. The location of the clamps will depend on the nature of the items you plan to carry. After completing all of these steps, you need to confirm the capacity of the roof rack.

This is for you to know exactly what can be carried on the roof. Knowing the roof capacity will prevent possible overloading. Prolonged overloading of your roof racks, can cause a lot of damage.

The Rules Of The Roof Rack Installation

Roof racks are meant to be durable and function optimally. If you install one on your car, you must know the rules.

Knowing rules concerning roof racks will enable you to properly maintain them. The following are some of the rules involved in owning a roof rack:

Ensure Using The Right Installation Dimension

This is a very important part of your roof rack installation. The dimension of the roof and roof rack should be equal. This will give you the chance to secure the items properly onto the roof rack.

Read Up On The Installation Manual

The roof rack manual acts as an installation guide. It should come with the roof rack’s maximum weight. You also get a long list of installation guidelines and instructions.

Regular Greasing Is The Way To Go

If you have used the racks for quite some time, it starts to wear down. This is accelerated if the roof rack is exposed to bad weather and rain. It can quickly wear out if left ungreased: Greased should be applied on the mounting bolt threads. This helps to prevent rust and corrosion.

Ensure That You Check The Weight Limit

Checking the weight limit of the car should be done at the very beginning. This helps you know the weight limit of items to be loaded onto the car. You can check for this limit in the vehicle manual. If you ignore the weight limit, it could be dangerous. Your load can get loose during movement and hurt you and other road users.

Take Off The Roof Rack If Not In Use

Roof racks affect fuel consumption in vehicles. Even though the roof rack materials are made from light materials, they should be taken off. Leaving the roof rack on your vehicle when not in use increases the aerodynamic pull and weight of the car. This will make you consume more fuel. Taking this off will also minimise wind noise during movement.

Never Ignore The Height

You should be aware of the height of the roof rack. For SUVs and pickup trucks, you may be restricted to pass through some places. Adding a roof rack to your vehicle means that the general height of the roof will be increased. Be aware of this increase and choose your routes wisely.

Do Not Speed

If you have installed a roof rack onto your vehicle, it is important to drive within the speed limit. This is to ensure your safety and that of other road users. Many roof racks come with their speed limits, you need to check for this. Ignoring the speed limits of a particular roof rack can be dangerous. Keeping to the speed limit helps you enjoy your ride. It also keeps you and other road users safe.