Roof Racks
The roof rack can be a useful and practical accessory to any vehicle whether it be a car, truck, van, or SUV, and are an excellent way to carry things that you need while traveling from place to place. Whether you’re going on vacation, on a weekend road trip, or just an after-work paddle on your local lake a roof rack can make your life easier.
Roof racks are a great way to increase the storage capacity of your vehicle, without adding too much weight or compromising your style. They come in all shapes and sizes, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. We will go over the different types of roof racks, and their uses, so that you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you.
Roof racks are used to carry loads on the roof of a vehicle. These are a very useful accessories that can be used to carry anything from bicycles to kayaks, or to ladders and lumber for the work truck. We will take a look at the different types of roof racks and their uses.
Base Racks
Base racks are available for all types of rooflines and are the basis of any roof rack system. The base rack you want to consider will depend on what type of accessories you intend to add or the type of cargo you plan on carrying. Once you have the base you will need to add the Crossbar. The base rack with crossbars can be customized to fit any roof type, whether it is smooth or with gutters. You can choose from aerodynamic, round and square crossbars.
Once you have your base rack affixed to your roof, you can begin adding the attachments to safely and securely transport your luggage and big boy toys. You’ll be ready to carry items such as bikes, boards, skis, boats, and more. Heck, you might even want to start building our your own overlanding adventure rig with a solid base rack system from Lexington Lifted.
Bike Racks
You can choose from several different styles of bike racks: frame mount, wheel mount or fork mount. They can be attached to crossbars to transport your mountain, road, or gravel bike on the roof. Each provides secure and reliable transport and is simple to load and install.
Spare Tire Mounted Bike Racks
Bike racks can also attach to a spare tire if you have one mounted on the rear or your Jeep or SUV. This is usually a cheaper option than the full-on roof-mounted ones and sometimes more limiting.
Hitch-Mounted Bike Racks
There are also a variety of hitch-mounted bike racks if your vehicle has a hitch installed. If it doesn’t have one, we can install compatible hitches on most vehicles. Hitch mounted bike racks come in an array of options as well. You can get racks for 1,2 or 4 or even more bikes. Some of the newer Yakima hitch-mounted bike racks can carry up to 7 bikes at a time!
Hitch mounted bike racks are meant for receiver hitches of either 1 and a 1/4″ or 2″ hitch receiver. Make sure you get the right one for the type of hitch receiver your vehicle has. Generally speaking, a 2″ receiver hitch will be able to accommodate the more heavy-duty bike racks.
Ski and Snowboard Racks
Ski and heading to the slopes? Multiple sets of snowboards and skis can be carried in simple-to-mount carriers. They are also easy to open and close and also allow you to lock your boards and skis on the roof. The beauty in ski racks is that you don’t have to get the inside of your vehicle wet, snowy, or muddy after a long day on the hill. Simply throw them on top and snug them down and go.
There are a few options for hitch-mounted ski and snowboard racks as well. Give us a call and we can go over all of your options for hauling your winter sports gear.
Kayak Racks
Your roof rack can be used to transport your kayak or canoe to and from the river or lake with an accessory such as a kayak stacker, JayHooks, kayak saddles, and more. There are numerous options, from simple ones that can be used to transport small boats such as touring and whitewater kayaks or canoes, to more complex models that can help you load and hoist larger boats to your roof.
Paddleboard and Surf Racks
Getting to the lake or beach with a bulky surfboard or paddleboard can be a task. You don’t want to just toss it in the bed of the truck for fear of it blowing out or getting damaged. You also don’t want to toss it inside of your vehicle because in the event of an accident your board could literally be a deadly projectile. Not to mention the fact we don’t want the mud, muck, and sand from the water getting all inside our cars.
Paddleboard and surf racks come in a few different styles for affixing to the roof of your car. You can find heavy-duty attachments that are compatible with your roof rack system that will secure them to the roof and also allow you to lock them for when you might have to run into the local surf shop or watering hole.
Some surf racks don’t require an existing base and crossbar system at all and can be attached to the roof using nylon straps and foam blocks.
Ladder Racks
Ladders and lumber can be loaded on just about any rack with a solid base and crossbar system. You can get more heavy-duty ones if you plan on carrying more than a couple of ladders or heavier loads of lumber. Check with the manufacturer’s specifications to see the load capacity of your specific rack before loading heavy items such as multiple ladders or large loads of wood.
We have racks to attach to the bed of your truck which allows the bed to be freed up for other items such as tools and materials while the bulkier items can go on the rack above the bed.
Cargo Bags and Boxes
A rooftop cargo carrier is a great option for drivers who need more storage than what is available in a car’s interior. It can be used to solve overflow problems that arise when packing for cross-country trips, camping trips, or when moving. Hard-shelled and soft roof bags can protect your belongings from the elements and keep them safe from thieves.
A Thule or Yakima cartop carrier will allow you to get more from your vehicle and make your trips even more enjoyable. Our world-leading roof cargo carriers allow you to carry everything on your journeys thanks to the extra space. The stylish design makes them perfect for daily use, as it matches the aerodynamic lines of the car’s exterior. Rooftop cargo carriers are compatible with Thule, Yakima and many factory racks.
Soft Cargo Carriers
Soft rooftop cargo carriers are lighter and easier to mount on a car’s roof. They can also be easily stowed away when they are not being used and most don’t require racks. They can also be loaded onto a roof without any support. Some soft cargo carriers have welded seams or taped seams that ensure they are watertight.
Hard Cargo Carrier
Hard rooftop cargo carriers, also known as roof cargo boxes, usually require a set or crossbars. Although they can be more costly and more difficult to use than the soft ones, the hard shells offer greater security for expensive items like skis, snowboards, gear, or equipment. The beauty of a hard shell cargo box is the ability to lock them.
With rooftop cargo boxes you can keep your car’s interior clean without leaving anything behind. Lexington Lifted selection of luggage boxes are high quality and guaranteed to protect your belongings no matter what they may be. You can choose from a variety of sizes to meet your specific needs.
