Safety Pointers For Car Roof Racks |
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Lesley Knowles
25 November 2012
The roof rack is an essential car accessory because it is the only way of accommodating your heavy stuff such as camping paraphernalia, luggage, cargo cartons and sporting equipment. That is why it is necessary to buy a roof rack that is hard-wearing and not easily corrosive. Vehicle baggage carriers should be meant for a variety of small and large items so these will not use up space inside the automobile. It will ensure comfort for passengers especially for long-distance trips. More than the space factor, you also need to consider the safety aspects in purchasing and installing carriers for your car.
The fully-loaded roof rack moves up the gravity of your vehicle and causes it to move a lot if you are driving at top speed. This can lead to problems in balancing while you are on the road. Worse, this can cause serious accidents if one or all of the items get loose and spill over while the car is in motion. Hence, it is necessary to pack all your belongings properly. Maintain a balance so the load is not at the far end or front. Makes it a point to distribute the load evenly so the weight is spread equally as well.
Almost all of racks sold in car accessory shops are moveable and fastened to the car roof rails for firmness. Cover all your things after loading as a guard against the rain, heat or gusty winds. Try to look for racks that come along with fiber glass covers for added protection.
Take note of the prescribed load limit. Classify your belongings according to weight. Select the lighter items and put together the heaviest of these. Pack the items that you do not need while travelling first. Follow the principle of aerodynamics wherein the dispersal of pressure represents a distributed load above the surface. Put the heavies of your gear in the middle portion of the rack.
Maintain your load as low as possible so there is no risk of hitting short structures along the road. Make use of sturdy straps to fasten your things for a tighter hold. Take time out to stop regularly to check the condition of your cargo and the tautness of the buckles. Use racks that are specially designed for bicycles, ski equipment and boats.
Check the rack supplier if you are not too sure about installation. Keep in mind that negligence can cause accidents.