Transportation of luggage outside the car
So far, we have not been able to produce a car in which we can pack everything we need for a vacation trip. Of course, I omit the cases when we drive a Porsche 911 with a platinum credit card in our pocket. So how to increase the carrying capacity of our car?
Onto the roof
The easiest solution is to install a roof rack. However, this solution has many disadvantages. Firstly, it is outdated, and secondly, with suitcases on the roof, we look like a Pole driving a small Fiat on vacation to Bulgaria in the past. The best solution would be a roof box. Will be used in both summer and winter. Of course, if we buy a long "coffin". Thus, we can additionally pick up a lot of necessary things. The box is attached to the transverse beams, which, depending on the design of the car, are attached to the gutters, directly to the roof or to the railing. Remember that each box has its own load capacity, and the roof of our car has a load capacity. It also introduces speed limits. With larger ones, it can come off the support beams and not only will we lose our property, but we can also pose a huge threat to other road users. Bicycle holders can also be attached to the crossbars, which also require a smoother ride. Box and bike holders increase the height of our vehicle. Let's remember this if we want to go to the garage.
On the hack
If we have a hook, we can attach a bike holder to it. It has many benefits. It is much easier to put bicycles on it than on the roof. It does not have the same detrimental effect on driving comfort and aerodynamics as roof-mounted handles. The main problem is the need for a hook. In addition, it is difficult to decide on a specific model. Appetite grows with eating. The simplest pens cost several hundred zlotys. This doesn't mean they are bad. The most expensive ones cost more than a thousand zlotys. The more expensive ones are more comfortable to use because they often have the ability to tilt. This is especially important in station wagons, where a lot of space is required to open the trunk lid. More complex designs have their own lights, duplicating car lights, and a place to mount a license plate. And here comes the problem. You can get a police officer who will try to punish you with a fine. Why? In the case of cheaper pens, we close the license plate. In the second case, the car remains without a license plate. Both solutions are in violation. Here's what it looks like in theory. In practice, I have not heard of a fine for a driver riding with a bike holder on a towbar. The third license plate will solve the problem. Unfortunately, offices do not issue such fees. Remember that after installing the bike carrier, the back of the car “lengthens”. With a cheaper clutch, the parking sensors don't work properly and the more expensive clutch feels like a trailer. This has some limitations.
installation
When installing roof beams, let's keep the roof clean. If there is dirt between the base of the beam and the roof, the paintwork may be destroyed. We also check the correct fastening of the box. For fidelity, the box can be tied with a tape to secure luggage. In the case of a bike holder on a hook, carefully check the fixation of the clip and, possibly, the connection and operation of the lights on the holder.
