How to use a vehicle luggage rack

When traveling it can be frustrating to have luggage inside of your car, as it may make it too crowded or not as enjoyable.

Here are a few tips for how to use a vehicle luggage rack:

1. Before you learn how to use a vehicle luggage rack, it is important to know your options. First decide which roof rack is best for your trip and car: a full or partial rack system? If your car does not have a built in rack, a hitch mount rack might be a great option, or you could get crossbars to make a partial rack. You need to decide what kind of rack to use. You may need to choose between using a rooftop carrier such as a cargo bag, or a roof rack. A carrier gives you the ability to put a cargo bag on your roof. It comes in hard and soft options, where as a roof rack or basket doesn't protect what is in the carrier from the elements, and limits what you can put on your car, but works well for odd shaped items, too big items, etc. like skis and fishing poles.

2. Consider what the manufacturer recommends for loading a luggage rack. If you exceed the weight limit, or load it improperly you could be damaging the vehicle, or lose your luggage on the trip. The recommendations are not just suggestions, but guidelines you ought to follow. The locks, clasps, etc. are all tested based on the recommendations, so they may not hold if you exceed the limits.

3. Check that the luggage rack system to ensure that it is securely fastened to the vehicle before you load it up. It will be much more difficult to fasten to the car after it is full of heavy luggage, maybe even impossible. So, securely fasten it first, then add in the luggage.

4. Load your luggage rack with the heaviest items first. If you are using a rooftop rack that is not enclosed, you may want to protect the items with plastic before loading them. If you use luggage with zippers, you can reduce your chance of losing things by using zipper locks, and by facing all openings inward, so that should something open, the stuff will hopefully stay put.

5. In addition to the secure straps for attaching your luggage rack to your vehicle, consider using bungee nets, luggage straps, and more to give your luggage extra security on top of your car. You should take the wind resistance into consideration. You will want to have plenty of straps keeping things in place, and consider driving around the block a few times to see if anything shifts or if you need any extra straps to hold things in place.

Make sure that when you use a vehicle luggage rack that you get everything secured well so that you do not have to worry about as you travel.