There are a number of roof rack options on the market, but choosing the right one for you will depend on many factors. Here we highlight some of the main points to consider when looking for a roof rack for your Land Rover.
01/02/2022
Choosing the right roof rack for your vehicle is not a simple task! With many different styles and load carrying options, it can be difficult to assess which is most suitable for your requirements.
Firstly, it is important to determine what items you will be carrying on your roof rack as this will dictate which style is most suited.
Roof Bars
Old-School roof bars consisted of crossbars connected to steel legs, which were then clamped to the vehicle's roof gutters. The modern designs are similar, made from either steel or alloy, and often feature a channel in the top to accommodate accessories for securing items. Different types can either be secured to the vehicle's OE front-to-rear rails, or mount to hard points in the roof structure.
It is important to remember that the load-carrying capacity of factory front-to-rear rails is often lower than for gutter mounts.
One of the main advantages of roof bars is the ability to easily remove them when not in use, this can be helpful when looking at fuel economy or using height restricted car parks. Roof bars are great for carrying longer items such as ladders, kayaks or surfboards. These longer items can be secured across the span of both racks.
Trays, Baskets and Platforms
Adding a tray, basket or platform to your roof rack can enable you to carry a wider range of items. Baskets and trays can make it easier to secure loads owing to the raised edges providing more lashing points. The sides can also provide mounting points for accessories such as awnings and other accessories. However, if roof height is a consideration, then sometimes a flat platform can prove to be a better option.
A roof rail and tray, basket or platform combination can be more easily removed vs a fully welded rack - which is an important consideration for those who do not need roof storage full time.
Fully Welded Racks
A fully welded roof rack can be removed from the vehicle, however owning to their large size and weight (sometimes in excess of 20 kg) most owners tend to leave them on the roof. A fully welded rack often has a higher load rating, owing to the built-in strength of a fixed rack. It is important to consider the vehicle's maximum roof-load capacity when calculating the overall weight of the rack and gear carried on it.
There are several things to consider with a fully welded rack, including:
> The rack must be rated to handle the full roof-load capacity of the vehicle.
> Ensure the mounting suits the vehicle - gutter clamps vs vehicle specific mounts.
> If gutter mounted - look for a rack with full lenght channels that distributes the weight of the rack evenly across the vehicle.
> Legs - make sure the legs will be long enough to clear the vehicle's roof height.
> Alloy vs Steel - alloy racks tend to be more expensive compared to steel, but can also weigh signifcantly less which means you are able to carry more gear.
Which Style?
There are many different styles of roof rack available, which can make it difficult to choose which one to choose. Careful consideration is needed to determine which one will best suit your requirements - this will ultimately depend on what gear and how much of it you want to carry on the roof. Options include trade racks, full-length, three-quarter and half-length racks, canopy racks, and those specifically designed for roof tents.
Accessories
Once you have decided on which roof rack is most suitable, it is time to think about accessories for securing your gear. There are a number of options for carrying specific gear, whether you have a set of roof bars or a fully welded rack. From carrying recreational gear, touring equipment, ladders or fitment of awnings - there are several mounting options available depending on the brand/ style of roof rack you fit to your vehicle. It is therefore important to consider compatible accessory options before deciding on a roof rack set-up.
Important To Consider
The maximum roof-load capacity of your vehicle isn't the only reason to keep roof load to a minimum. Roof load can:
> Raise the vehicle's centre of gravity, impacting the handing and increasing body roll when cornering.
> Potential for more fore and aft pitching when accelerating and braking.
> Too much weight can reduce off-road capability, especially on uneven ground, amplifying the potential for rollover.
Check out our wide seletion of roof racks and accessories here. For more advice and information contact your local Britpart stockist.