A Nissan roof rack is a great asset when you need more space in your car for hauling things around on the weekends.
Nissan has some restrictions on how much weight their roof racks can hold. The following information will give you an idea of what that limit depends on the type of rack you have.
Keep in mind that the weight limit for Nissan roof racks includes anything on top, including roof racks, crossbar sets, cargo boxes, and carriers. You must remember not to exceed the load capacity of either the roof racks or your vehicle, whichever is lower.
Something is considered dangerous if you load on the roof rack, you should remove it from the roof. Please read on to find out the details.
Nissan Roof Rack/Rail Weight Limit
The Nissan roof rack weight limit information was taken from official Nissan manuals and websites. The roof load capacity is the roof side rails’ maximum weight limit. However, never exceed the originally Nissan cross bars load capacity, which is only 100 lbs.
Nissan Armada
- 2013-2016: 200 lbs (91 kg)
- 2017-2022: 221 lb (100 kg)
Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV with plenty of space for people, luggage, cargo boxes, and other accessories.
Nissan Armada is allowed to have a maximum roof rack weight of 200 lbs load for the model years 2013-2016. Model years 2017-2022 of the Armada are allowed to have a maximum weight of 221 lbs load, including the weight of rack and accessories.
Nissan Frontier
2013-2022: 125 lbs (56 kg)
Nissan Frontier is a midsize pickup truck that is very good for people who need a lot of space.
Nissan Frontier has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 125 lbs(56kg) load, including rack and accessories.
Nissan Kicks
- 2021: 110 lbs (50 kg.)
- 2018-2020: 165 lbs. (74 kg)
Nissan Kicks is a small SUV perfect for people who need easy access to things in their car and want a more fuel-efficient ride.
Nissan Kicks has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 165 lbs (74kg) load, including rack and accessories, for the model years 2018-2020. The model year 2021 of the Nissan Kicks has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 110 lbs (50 kg), including the weight on top and overhangs.
Nissan Murano
- 2018-2021: 165 lbs (74kg)
- 2015-2017: 100 lbs (45 kg)
- Murano Black 2013-2014: 165 lbs (75 kg)
- Murano Silver 2013-2014: 220 lbs (100 kg)
Nissan Murano is a midsize crossover SUV that is very good for hauling cargo, people, and other accessories.
Murano has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 100 lbs (45 kg) load from 2015-2017. Model years 2018-2021 have a maximum roof rack weight of 165 lb (74kg).
The Murano Black 2013-2014 has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 165lbs(75kg), including the weight on top and overhangs. The Murano Silver 2013-2014 has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 220 lbs (100 kg).
Nissan Pathfinder
- 2013-2017: 150 lb (68kg)
- 2018-2022: 165 lb (74kg)
Nissan Pathfinder is a full-size SUV that is great for transporting cargo, people, and other accessories.
Nissan Pathfinder has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 150 lbs (68kg) load from 2013-2017 model years. The model year 2018-2022 has a maximum weight of 165lbs(74kg).
Nissan Quest
- 2013-2017: 99 lb (45 kg)
Nissan Quest is a minivan that has many great features for people who need space in their vehicles.
Nissan Quest is allowed to have a maximum roof rack weight of 99 lbs (45 kg) load from 2013-2017 model years, including the weight on top and overhangs.
Nissan Rogue
- 2021: 163 lb (74 kg)
- 2018-2020: 165 lbs. (74 kg.)
- 2014-2017 :150 lbs (68kg)
- 2013: 99 lbs (45kg)
Rogue is a compact SUV that is perfect for hauling cargo, people, and other accessories.
Nissan Rogue has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 165 lbs (74kg) load for the model years 2018-2020. The model year 2021 has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 163lbs(74kg).
The model year 2014-2017 has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 150 lbs (68kg). The 2013 Nissan Rogue can have a maximum weight of 99 lbs (45 kg) on top and overhangs.
Nissan Rogue Sport
- 2017-2021: 150 lb (68 kg)
Nissan Rogue Sport is a compact crossover that was designed to fit in smaller spaces.
Nissan Rogue Sport has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 150 lbs (68kg) load for the model years 2017-2021.
Nissan Rogue Select
- 2014-2015: 99lb (45 kg)
Rogue Select is a compact crossover SUV that is great for hauling cargo, people, and other small accessories.
Nissan Rogue Select has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 99 lbs (45 kg) load for the model years 2014-2015.
Nissan Rogue Hybrid
- 2017-2019: 150 lb (68 kg)
Rogue Hybrid is a compact SUV that provides great fuel economy and space for your cargo.
Nissan Rogue Hybrid has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 150 lbs (68kg) load, including rack and accessories, for the model years 2017-2019.
Nissan Xterra
- 2013-2015: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Xterra is a mid-sized SUV that hauls people and other bundles with ease.
The maximum roof rack weight limit for Nissan Xterra from 2013-2015 is 150 lbs (68 kg).
Nissan X-trail
- 2001-2020: 221 lbs (100 kg)
Nissan X-Trail SUV is perfect for hauling cargo, people, and other accessories.
Nissan X-Trail SUV has a maximum roof rack weight limit of 221 lbs (100 kg) for the model years 2001-2020.
What to consider before packing on a Nissan
Nissan roof racks are a great way to add space for storage and extra items in your car, but you need to be aware that the load capacity is not limitless. In addition, things like your vehicle or cargo box size may lower the weight limit of your Nissan roof rack.
You also want to keep an eye on wind resistance and safety factors when packing heavy items onto your Nissan roof rack. It’s always best to look up specific information about how much weight Nissan roofs can hold before getting ready for a weekend road trip with extra gear!
1. Consider the balance
The balance is crucial for your Nissan roof rack to be able to handle your belongings safely.
If you have too much weight on one side, it can be unintentionally turned in one direction, which will cause you to lose control of your Nissan, especially at high speeds or making turns.
Heavy items should be evenly distributed across the width of your roof rack to balance the load between both sides.
2. Consider the height and center of gravity.
Whether you have a roof rack on your Nissan or not, it’s essential to be mindful of how high your vehicle is.
When you’re driving with tall items on the roof, you should find out the maximum height allowed on the road, so you don’t hit anything on the road, like overpasses, flyovers, street lights, pedestrian bridges, wire, trees, or signs.
Please ensure all the roads you will be traveling on are clear of objects that would be within the height limits for your Nissan roof rack.
You should try your best to reduce the center of gravity if you are putting heavy items on top. If the height is too high, you will feel unstable while driving.
If the center of gravity is high, it will be hard to handle the car. Your car may be easy to flip over.
If you put items on top, please be careful while driving!
3. Consider the weight
When you are thinking of what to put on your roof racks, please check the weight. Cargo boxes or crossbars are usually not included in Nissan roof rack calculations of weight capacity. Hence, it’s essential to keep a total load of all items on top under your limit.
Please ensure not to exceed load capacity on the above when packing cargo boxes or carriers onto the Nissan roof rack.
4. Think about wind resistance
The pressure exerted by strong winds passing over something causes a force.
This force must be greater than a static load to move an object – meaning if you have heavy, bulky items on your Nissan roof rack, they will need to withstand even higher wind pressures when traveling at speeds above 60 km/hour.
You may want to avoid driving with high wind speeds if you know your vehicle will not fare well in strong winds.
5. Fasten all the items on the roof rack.
Remember that objects must have a strap or crossbar to secure them onto your Nissan roof rack; otherwise, they may slide off while driving.
Make sure the straps are taut and not loose for best safety results. For added security, you can even use additional tie-down devices, including ratchet straps, ropes, or chains if needed when hauling heavier objects on top of your Nissan roof rack.
6. Consider the ease of accessibility.
It would be best to consider how to get your items on and off the roof rack and how you will access them.
You may not want to pack the often needed items at the top of your Nissan roof rack because they will be difficult to reach.
7. Consider the weather.
If you live in a place with snow, ensure that objects on top can withstand freezing temperatures if they affect their functionality.
Wind speeds are greater during the day than at night.
Always be mindful of how your items affect your Nissan roof rack when driving at high wind speeds, especially during the day.
You should avoid driving with heavy objects on your Nissan roof racks if a storm approaches, as they may cause you to lose control of your car and crash.
Things to avoid while packing cargo Nissan roof rack
For safety purposes, you should avoid packing the following items on top of your Nissan roof racks:
1. Avoid all the liquids from the Nissan roof rack
Before driving, please remove all liquids such as water, oils, and others from the Nissan roof rack.
If you pack liquids on the roof rack, the liquids will shift while the car is moving, creating a risk of losing balance.
If the container on the roof is damaged, which may be leaking or spilling liquids while driving or braking, it will become a safety hazard.
2. Avoid too heavy items on one side.
If you pack too heavy items on one side of your Nissan roof rack, it will cause a greater risk of loss of balance.
When packing cargo boxes or carriers onto the Nissan roof rack, consider its center of gravity.
It’s essential to be very careful about the load layout of not only what is on the Nissan roof rack but how it affects your balance while driving.
When you put heavy items over a small area, there is a greater risk of suddenly losing control at high speeds and braking.
3. Avoid too bulky items on the Nissan roof rack.
It is important to avoid too bulky items on the Nissan roof rack, which can increase the wind resistance. This can cause the car to lose control and crash.
4. Avoid loose items without a strap or crossbar.
Avoid objects with nothing to secure them on the Nissan roof rack, like water bottles and other items that can fall, because if they do, they will create a safety hazard for drivers behind you.
If the object falls from the Nissan roof rack onto another vehicle or directly on your windshield, it may cause an accident or damage your car. You do not want your loose items to fly off of the roof and causing injury to pedestrians too.
Additionally, it is important to secure items with crossbars or straps to don’t move around.
5. Avoid packing without a roof rack.
Please do not load objects onto your Nissan roof without a roof rack.
Packing heavy items on your Nissan roof without a roof rack may damage the roof or the paint on the vehicle.
When loading heavy items onto your Nissan roof, please make sure you use a roof rack before loading cargo onto your roof.
What not to pack on a Nissan
Things you should never put onto a Nissan roof rack include:
- Liquids.
- Items that aren’t attached securely – if an item is loosely stowed on top of your Nissan roof rack, it can become loose due to excessive movement or bumping along the road.
- Cargo that is too heavy or tall – if you are putting anything on top of your Nissan roof racks heavier than what the rack was designed for, it can fall off the vehicle while driving around turns or at high speeds.
- Any cargo or luggage box that has an extended length beyond the width of your Nissan roof racks since this increases wind resistance and center gravity.
- And, of course, items exceed load capacity.
How do you pack your items on the roof rack?
It would help if you kept this in mind: your items must stay secure and balance out on both sides of the Nissan roof racks. This way, you can avoid the chance of loss of balance when driving.
1) The heavier things should be placed as low as possible on the Nissan roof racks, whereas the lighter ones can be higher.
2) Always fasten the items on the roof. To secure unstable cargo, you can use straps or crossbars to move when there is turbulence during driving.
3) Please distribute your items evenly on your Nissan roof racks to keep the balance.
4) Please keep the load within the boundaries of the Nissan roof racks.
5) Always think about safety first and foremost when driving and carrying cargo on your Nissan roof rack.
6) Please do not exceed the load capacity, or you risk causing damage to the vehicle.