If you’re like most people, you probably use your car to transport items on a fairly regular basis. Whether it’s taking the family on vacation or moving to a new house, chances are good that at some point you’ll need to haul something big around. That’s where roof racks come in handy. They allow you to safely and securely transport large items without having to cram them into the backseat or trunk of your car. But are there any negative consequences to using roof racks?
In this article, we’ll explore the potential damage that roof racks can cause and answer the question once and for all: do they damage cars?
To briefly answer the question of the day “Do roof racks damage the car’s paint or weather insulation on the doors?” The answer is Yes and No.
Yes because if you are not a professional and aren’t confident in what you are doing you might scratch your car and worse cause your car to leak when it rains by drilling in the wrong area because racks are held together by bolts.
No, because Roof racks are designed in a way that prevents them from coming into contact with the paint or weather stripping on your car doors if it is being fixed by a professional.
The only time you might have to worry about damage is if you’re not using the roof rack correctly. For example, if you try to transport an item that’s too big or heavy for the roof rack, it could potentially damage the car. Now that we know roof racks can damage car paint or weather insulation when not installed correctly, let’s look at how to correctly install them, shall we?
How to rightly fix a roof rack (DIY)
To fix a roof rack, you will need the following items:
Materials needed
-A drill
-The roof rack that you purchased
-Bolts that fit the roof rack (usually comes with the roof rack)
-Washers that fit the bolts
-Locking nuts that fit the bolts (optional)
Tools needed
-Tape measure
-Pencil or marker
-Drill with a bit that’s slightly smaller than the bolts you’re using
-Socket wrench or open-ended wrench that fits the bolts
Instructions:
- First, use the tape measure to find the center of your car’s roof. Once you’ve found the center, mark it with a pencil or marker. (I suggest a whiteboard marker to enable easy cleaning)
- Next, hold the roof rack up to the car so that the center of the roof rack lines up with the center mark you made on the roof.
- Once you have the roof rack in place, use the drill to make pilot holes through the roof rack and into the car’s roof.
- Now, take the bolts and thread them through the holes in the roof rack. On the inside of the car, put a washer on each bolt and then tighten them down with a socket wrench or open-ended wrench.
- If you want, you can also put locking nuts on the bolts. This isn’t strictly necessary, but it will help to keep the bolts from coming loose.
- And that’s it! You’re now ready to load up your roof rack and hit the road.
As you can see, there is potential damage that can be done to a car when installing a roof rack, but if done correctly, it is preventable. So next time you’re considering using a roof rack, make sure to do your research and follow the instructions carefully.
Now that we know how to fix a roof rack, let us look at the types of roof racks available and their purpose
Types of roof racks
There are many different types of roof racks available on the market. The type you choose will depend on what you’re using it for and your budget.
1. Crossbars roof racks
The most common type of roof rack is the crossbars. Crossbars are designed to attach to the raised rails that run along the length of your car’s roof. They provide a solid surface for attaching things like bike racks, cargo baskets, and kayak carriers.
If you don’t have raised rails on your car’s roof, you can still use crossbars. There are several different types of mounting systems available that will allow you to attach crossbars to your car’s roof without rails.
2. Cargo box
Another type of roof rack is the cargo box. Cargo boxes are designed to be attached to the roof of your car and provide a large, weather-resistant storage area. They’re perfect for storing things like camping gear, sports equipment, and extra luggage.
3. Cargo baskets
Also, Cargo baskets are roof racks that are similar to cargo boxes but are much smaller and usually don’t have a lid. They’re great for storing smaller items like coolers, duffel bags, and beach chairs.
4. Bike racks
Another type is the bike rack. These are racks for carrying bicycles. There are many different types of bike racks available on the market. The type you choose will depend on how many bikes you want to transport and what type of car you have.
- The most common type of bike rack is the hitch-mounted rack. These racks attach to the hitch receiver on your car and can transport up to five bikes.
- Another type of bike rack is the roof-mounted rack. These racks attach to the roof of your car and can transport up to three bikes.
- Finally, there are trunk-mounted racks. These racks attach to the trunk of your car and can transport up to three bikes.
5. Kayak carriers
Kayak carriers are designed to attach to the roof of your car and provide a safe and easy way to transport kayaks. They come in both single and double-kayak versions. Single Kayaks are great for transporting one kayak, and double kayaks are perfect for transporting two kayaks.
6. Canoe carriers
Canoe carriers are designed to attach to the roof of your car and provide a safe and easy way to transport canoes. They come in both single and double-canoe versions. They are used for transporting canoes on the roof of your car.
Ski and snowboard racks
This type of rack is designed to provide a safe and easy way to transport skis and snowboards. They come in both single and double ski versions. They are used for transporting skis and snowboards on the roof of your car.
As you can see, there are many different types of roof racks available on the market. The type you choose will depend on what you’re using it for and your budget. Do some research to find the best option for you.
Continue reading to know about some alternatives to using roof racks on your car
Alternative things to use instead of roof racks
If you are still unconvinced about the damage roof racks can cause, you don’t have one don’t worry you are not alone, there are some alternative things I can recommend you can use instead.
1. Hitch-mounted cargo carrier
A hitch-mounted cargo carrier is a great alternative to a roof rack. It attaches to the hitch receiver on your car and provides a large, weather-resistant storage area. They’re perfect for storing things like camping gear, sports equipment, and extra luggage.
2. Trunk-mounted bike rack
A trunk-mounted bike rack is a great alternative to a roof rack. It attaches to the trunk of your car and can transport up to three bikes. The trunk-mounted bike is also very easy to install and use.
As you can see, there are a few alternatives to using roof racks on your car. It all depends on the items you are carrying.
Pros of using roof racks
There are several benefits of using roof racks, They are:
1. Safety and Convenience
The number one benefit of roof racks is that they provide a safe and convenient way to transport large items such as luggage, bikes, or kayaks. These items are often too big to fit inside the car. If you’ve ever tried to fit any of these items or a piece of furniture in your car, you know how difficult it can be. With a roof rack, you can simply strap the item down and be on your way.
Imagine you going on vacation with your family and you have to also fit a Kayak into your car, without a roof rack you would have to put the Kayak in the back seat which is not only dangerous for you and your family if you were to get into an accident, but also very uncomfortable. But with a roof rack, you can strap down the Kayak on top of your car and have peace of mind knowing that it’s secure.
2. Less wear and tear on your car
Another advantage of roof racks is that they can help reduce wear and tear on your car. When you transport large items in the trunk or backseat, it can put a strain on the suspension and other parts of your car. This can lead to increased maintenance costs down the road. With a roof rack, the weight is evenly distributed and doesn’t put as much strain on your car.
If you live in a place where the roads are not completely tarred or have a lot of potholes, you’re also less likely to damage your car’s suspension by using a roof rack because the rack will serve as a buffer between your car and the road.
3. Increased fuel efficiency
Another benefit of roof racks is that they can help improve your car’s fuel efficiency. When you’re transporting large items in the trunk of your car, it increases the weight of the vehicle and therefore decreases fuel efficiency. With a roof rack, the weight is distributed evenly and doesn’t have as much of an impact on your car’s gas mileage.
4. Protects your car from dirt and debris
If you’ve ever transported a bike or any other item in the back of your car, you know how much dirt and debris can accumulate. This not only makes it difficult to see out the back window, but it can also be very messy. With a roof rack, your belongings are out of the way and less likely to accumulate dirt and debris.
5. Easy to Install and Remove
Most roof racks can be easily installed and removed, which is important if you only need them occasionally. If you’re planning on using your roof rack frequently, it’s important to choose one that’s easy to install so you don’t have to waste time struggling with it.
6. Affordable
Finally, roof racks are generally very affordable. You can find a basic model for under $100, and more advanced models will cost slightly more. However, they’re still a fraction of the cost of a new car, so they’re a great way to save money if you need to transport large items frequently.
So there you have it, those are some of the advantages of using roof racks. As you can see, they provide a safe and convenient way to transport large items, and they can also help improve your car’s fuel efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Overall, roof racks are a great way to transport large items safely and efficiently. As mentioned earlier there are pros as well as cons to installing roof racks but ultimately the decision comes down to personal preference.
Thank you for reading and if you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below!
Have a great day!
