It is possible for a roof rack to damage your car.
This can happen if the roof rack has been installed improperly or not tightened enough, which will cause sagging and increase accidents. It can also happen when carrying heavy items on top of your vehicle, especially if you are driving at high speeds in wet weather.
If you need a roof rack it’s important to make sure that it’s properly installed and secured before adding more weight on top of the vehicle. Remove any loose objects from the roof racks to avoid wind noise and reduce chances of accidents due to heavyweight on the top part of the vehicle.
Do roof racks truly damage your car?
People usually ask if roof racks can damage your car.
Yes, roof racks can damage your car if a roof rack is not correctly and firmly installed on your car.
It could create a twisting force between the racks and the bolts and nuts fitted on the roof of your car. This may affect the loading and stability of your roof bags and loads on the car, leading to damage and accident when you are on a journey.
These are the things that could cause your roof rack to damage your car. However, if you install the roof rack properly, you will not have any problem with the roof rack, and it will not damage your car.
Before we go in too deep to answer the questions on proper roof rack installation, let us talk more about the functionalities of a roof rack and how it serves its purpose.
What is a roof rack?
A roof rack is a framework usually installed on the top of your vehicle, that is, your roof, to carry luggage not to discomfort the passengers in the vehicle.
Roof racks are usually used to carry goods on top of a vehicle. They are commonly installed on cars, vans, hatchbacks, or station wagons.
Racks vary in size and strength, depending on the type of goods they are designed to carry. They can be made of solid steel or lighter metals like aluminum. It is the most common type used today because it is easy to install and affordable.
Some vehicles come with the roof rack, while some do not.
If you want to use a roof box and your vehicle does not come with a roof rack. You can install the roof rack or use the roof bag without the roof rack. Note that you can use some roof bags without using a roof rack.
How to properly install a roof rack
Before installing them on your car, you must check all parts to ensure they are not damaged or have loose nails sticking out, which can scratch your car when placed over the top.
There are different mounting systems. The one you need depends on the mounting system of your car or 4WD. About the mounting system, if you have an old 4WD or car, you should use a gutter mount system.
It usually has a metal lip down the side of the vehicle, majorly for clamping roof racks. Newer vehicles usually have roof channels with a cap that can be removed to reveal the mounting point.
The roof rails can provide a place for roof racks for every other car.
Step 1: Figure out your mounting system
What determines if you need any extra equipment is when you have figured out your mounting system. For example, some roof racks can be attached to ordinary roofs using crossbars, fit kits, etc.
It is best for cars with curved roofs to use a short roof adapter before your roof racks can be mounted. The adapters will help with weight distribution on both doors.
Step 2: Put the frame of the roof rack together
The next thing you should do is screw the crossbar and the side rails and then place the frame on the vehicle.
It would help if you also centered the roof rack on the car. You do that by measuring the distances from the roof rails to the back and front of the roof.
Step 3: Expose the mount holes
At this point, you need to drill holes or uncover the mount holes. The cars with naked roofs will require you to drill holes into the roof to fit the roof rack. If your vehicle has factory-issued mount holes, you will not need any drilling.
Step 4: Tighten the screws to fix the roof base
What you need to do next is to tighten the screws by inserting them through the roof rail. What this will do is to help you fix the base of the roof rack to the car.
If your vehicle has roof rails, you should look out for thumbscrews that will help you loosen the rails for their location to be altered when needed.
Step 5: Clamp the mounts down where necessary
The next thing you need to do is clamp the mounts down on the crossbars, and you need to start from the back of the car and then move forward. Where you put the mounting clamps will depend on what kinds of things the roof rack will carry.
When you are done with all these steps, you need to check the capacity of your roof rack to see what exactly it can carry so that you do not overload it.
Overloading your roof rack can damage it if you use it for so long.
Do’s and Don’ts of making use of a roof rack.
Even though you have a roof rack on top of your vehicle does not mean anything can go with it or that you can carry anything you want on it. If you do it that way, you are shortening the life span of your roof rack.
Do make sure the roof rack is the exact dimension.
This is one of the most important things you need to look out for when using your roof rack. You need to ensure that the dimension of the roof rack and that of your roof are equal and fit so well.
This will enable you to secure your things when you place them on the roof rack. If you are having trouble installing your roof rack, you should check the steps we have listed above, and they will help you get the dimension right.
Do make sure you read the setting manual.
When you buy something new, you should check the manual to see how everything works to ensure you do not go against the guidelines.
The manual is also there to guide you on the maximum weight the roof rack can carry. The manual is also like a list of instructions that you need to follow, especially when installing the roof rack for the first time.
It will help you prevent possible mistakes to ensure you do not make mistakes while installing the roof rack.
Do Grease it regularly.
When you have been using your roof rack for a long time, especially when exposed to rain and bad weather, it will begin to wear down.
To prevent it from getting worn out quickly, you need to apply some grease to it, especially on the mounting bolt threads.
Doing this will shield your roof rack from corrosion and rust; rust could make the roof rack very weak and will not carry some heavy load like it used to. This will help it to last longer.
Do check the weight limit.
This is one of the first things you need to do while installing your roof rack, and it will help you know the exact limit you can load.
That is why you have the manual; your vehicle manual will have the information on the weight restriction that can be loaded on the vehicle’s roof.
If you do not check the limit and you overload, you are likely to put yourself in danger, but also other road users will also be in danger as the roof rack could get damaged, and the load on your roof could fall off while your vehicle is in motion.
Do remove the roof rack when not in use.
The roof rack could affect the consumption of fuel in your vehicle. Even though the materials of the roof rack were made from lightweight materials, it is best that when it is not in use, you should remove it because it also adds weight and aerodynamic pull, which could also affect fuel consumption.
When you remove the roof rack when not in use, another thing it does is that it helps to reduce the noise of the wind.
Don’t ignore height
This occurs especially to those who have SUVs or MPVs, and these vehicles are large vehicles usually raised high above the ground.
Imagine driving with the roof rack on a very high SUV. When you measure the height, you will see that the roof rack has also added to the height and has made the SUV taller than before.
There are some places you may be passing where your SUV may be too high to pass, probably because the roof rack has added to the height and made it taller than usual.
When the roof rack is not in use, the best thing to remove it.
Do not speed
Aside from driving with the roof rack on your vehicle, it is generally safe for you to drive within the speed limit required.
This reason is only for your safety and the safety of the other road users. When driving at high speed, you need to be extra careful.
If there is an immediate change like the road while you are driving with speed, you need to either be fast enough to turn the steering to avoid what is ahead of you.
Roof racks are usually built with a different speed limit. Therefore, when you are driving at high speed and have a roof rack, you are likely putting yourself and other road users in danger.
Whether there is a roof rack on your vehicle or not, you should not run over speed as it could even damage your car.
If you keep to the speed limit, you will enjoy your vehicle and not be at the risk o flossing your vehicle due to collision.
FAQs for Will a Roof Rack Damage My Car
Why do I need a roof rack?
If you do a lot of outdoor activities and camping takes place, roof racks can be used to carry all your stuff. It is also popular among those people who love traveling. You can take this for your old school or family trip. This will allow you to store essential things such as tents, sleeping bags, mats, and coolers on the top part of the car.
What damage-prone areas exist?
A roof rack has its pros and cons like any other product, but the most damage-prone area is where the load bar attaches to the side rails of a roof rack. This is because it is not well secured and has the tendency to come loose over time. This will make you prone to accidents, especially if you are carrying things too heavy on the top part of your vehicle.
What damage am I going to experience?
The roof rack will start to sag down a little, which can be a sign that it needs a tightening of the bolts. When there’s more weight on the top of your vehicle, that is when you will experience sagging like in trucks or SUVs.
There are also some cases when owners complain about noises coming from the roof rack. It is caused mainly by loose things like mats, luggage, and sometimes even water bottles which make noise as you drive.
How can I prevent damage to my car?
If you need a roof rack for your purposes or activities, make sure that it is still in good shape and not sagging down too much requires tightening the bolts before doing anything else.
Remove objects such as water bottles and luggage when driving to avoid wind noises and reduce chances of accidents due to heavyweight on the top part of the vehicle.
You can also use additional strips or rubber materials to absorb shock from items you put inside your roof racks. This will help secure your stuff better, so they don’t fall off while driving.
What damage can a roof rack cause?
If roof racks are not installed properly on your vehicle, they may cause problems for you. Some roof racks have sharp edges, which can also get caught under good when traveling over bumps or uneven ground, increasing the risk of scratches and dents.
If you are using the roof rack to carry a heavyweight on top of your vehicle, it may damage the car’s paintwork, but this depends on the quality of the rack and if it is being used in the right conditions, for example, when driving at low speeds in wet weather.
How do I avoid roof rack damage?
Before installing them on your car, you must check all parts to ensure they are not damaged or have loose nails sticking out, which can scratch your car when placed over the top.
Always try to place heavier loads towards the front of your vehicle to put less stress on the back end, where most scratches occur when carrying items on a roof rack. It is also advisable to attach any loose straps or things hanging off the roof rack in a bag or net, and this will then prevent items from falling off and causing any damage to your paintwork.
You should also ensure that you are using the proper racks for your vehicle. Again, it is best to consult your owner’s manual before buying one because once you have bought the wrong type of rack, it cannot be easily replaced or removed without damaging your car.
Why should a roof rack be removed when not in use?
It is best to remove them when not in use because they can cause damage to the paintwork if they are left on for longer.
The roof rack can also affect aerodynamics, leading to increased fuel costs and an increase in weight, so it’s better for your car’s performance if you remove it every time after using it.
Could I make my own roof rack?
It is possible to build a homemade roof rack depending on what materials and parts are available. For example, some cars come with factory-fitted crossbars running across the top of the car, which can be used as makeshift roof racks if they are very sturdy and solid enough not to bend under the weight of goods being carried.
Using homemade roof racks is not recommended because they are usually built to fit a particular brand, type, or car model but not another type. The materials used can also vary in quality which can cause damage to your paintwork through rusting or weakening the metal bars if they have been cut from scrap wood.
Will a roof rack affect MPG?
Roof racks can reduce your gas mileage because the added weight has you using more gasoline than usual. And, you should also be aware that some roof racks are not designed for aerodynamics which means they increase drag, so not only do you have to push heavier objects, but you’re also pushing through the air at a higher rate.
Does a roof box use more fuel?
Yes, it uses more fuel because the increased weight of the roof box alters the center of gravity and changes how your car handles. In addition, extra aerodynamic drag generated by a roof box can affect overall vehicle performance leading to a decrease in fuel economy.
Conclusion
A roof rack is a frame usually installed on the top of your vehicle, adding extra space for you.
The roof rack gives room for the roof bag to stay when traveling.
We have already answered the question of whether roof racks can damage your cars.
A roof rack could damage your car if it is either an over-torqued, under-torqued, overloaded, or poorly fitted roof rack.
If you have made up your mind to fix the roof rack well with no errors, you are likely to face little or no damage at all.
Roof racks can damage your car, but you need to be extra careful when installing the roof rack. You should make sure that you make use of the manual and at least follow some instructions there.
It would be best if you also protect your roof rack from being stolen when you leave it with no proper security.