With luggage on the roof

The ski season is about to begin, which means it's time to think about skis and how to transport them in a car.

It is best to transport them on the roof in a special trunk.

With luggage on the roof

The offer of roof racks is huge and the kit can already be bought for PLN 150, but you can also spend more than PLN 4000.

Before buying a roof rack, you should carefully consider for what purpose you will need it, whether we will use it all year round or only occasionally, and what kind of luggage we will be transporting. The answers to these questions will allow you to choose the model that suits your needs. It is best to make a purchase in a specialized store. The seller will help you choose the right model and put it on the roof at no extra charge.

beams

To transport any luggage on the roof, you need a base, i.e. two beams to which various fasteners are attached. Trunks can be divided into three price and quality categories: lower, medium and higher. When choosing branded goods (eg Thule, Mont Blanc, Fapa) we have a guarantee of quality, but we have to pay the most. Cheaper products are of lower quality, but With luggage on the roof if we use the trunk from time to time, we can choose such a product.

Trunks (bases) can be divided into two types: for a specific car model and universal. Universal fit on average to all cars, and their advantage is the price (about PLN 180).

However, most trunks are designed for a specific car model. Steel beams for popular cars cost between PLN 95 and 700. Aluminum is more expensive than steel by about PLN 100-150. Assembly is simple, and some models are so complex that no tools are needed. Locks are mandatory equipment and if they are not included, then they should be bought immediately.

Pens

If we already have roof beams, you can choose between ski, surfboard, snowboard, bike or the increasingly popular roof rack. The holders fit up to 6 pairs of skis, and with a tall car, you should choose the version with a retractable base. Prices for handles vary widely: from PLN 15 (for one pair of skis, buckles) to PLN 600 (aluminum for 6 pairs).

On magnets

There are also magnetic racks that can only carry skis (up to three pairs). They fit any car and are very easy to install. The only requirement is a clean and metal roof. Prices from PLN 120 to PLN 600. Remember to respect the speed limits recommended by the boot manufacturer.

Roof racks

Luggage carriers gradually replacing handles are becoming more and more popular. The worst box is better than the best handle because it can also be used in the summer, it can hold a lot of things and, above all, it protects the luggage from bad weather and prying eyes. In addition, it has a streamlined shape, so the increase in fuel consumption and noise will be the lowest.

The box should be long enough to hold the skis, but on the other hand, it should not be too long so as not to With luggage on the roof it limited the view and allowed the tailgate to be opened, especially in hatchbacks. The boxes have a volume of up to 650 liters and an internal length of up to 225 cm. The choice is huge, as is the price range from PLN 390 to PLN 3500. Increasingly, you can find boxes from the Far East, unfortunately they are of poor quality, but at a very low price.

Mounting systems are very different. Simpler and cheaper designs are attached with special screws, and Thule, for example, developed the Power-Grip system, which requires no tools, is very quick and easy to use.

If you need a box once a year, or even less often, you can rent it. The price depends on the number of days and its quality. For one day it is PLN 50, and for a longer period - about PLN 20 per night. You also have to pay a deposit, which in some stores is the equivalent of a new box.

Maximum load and height

Most passenger cars have a roof load limit of 50 kg, while SUVs have a maximum roof load of 75 kg, including the weight of the luggage compartment, of course. However, when we put the box on XNUMXxXNUMX or a van, you need to remember the height of the kit so that there are no unpleasant surprises when entering, for example, an underground parking or garage.