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A roof rack is an indispensable road trip accessory.

Originally designed to extend a vehicle’s storage space, roof racks now provide a truckload of benefits for road trippers. You can leverage these platforms to keep your valuable travel items out of sight and reach.

Modern roof racks are also engineered with aesthetics in mind. The frameworks can imbue your vehicle with a touch of athleticism, making it the highlight in parking lots and freeways.

Other noteworthy benefits of roof racks include improving vehicular stability through uniform load distribution and providing a raised surface for pitching an above-ground tent.

But despite their numerous benefits, roof racks don’t work in isolation. On the contrary, their efficiency depends on the included accessories.

Read below as we uncover the essential attachments every roof rack should have.

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1. Accessories for Transporting Different Road Trip Essentials

Installing a roof rack or bed rack on your car creates extra space in the cabin and trunk, allowing you to transport more items than you normally would. It’s exciting to know that there are multiple reputable dealers where you can find a premium Tacoma bed rack.

However, the ability of a roof or bed rack to extend your vehicle’s storage space depends on the availability of structural components that hold your travel gear. One such accessory is a cargo box.

Whether going on a day picnic or a weeklong road trip, cargo boxes can enhance your roof rack’s storage capacity by fitting all your essential gear. Simply fold or stack the items and carefully place them in the box, then load the luggage on top of your roof rack and tie it down.

Cargo boxes also let you organize your travel items for easy access. Besides, most cargo boxes are designed with robust materials and locking mechanisms. This helps to cushion your belongings from theft, accidental damage, and harsh weather during transit.

Below are other roof rack accessories for holding various road trip essentials;

• Roof baskets – Ideal for transporting everyday belongings, such as clothing.
• Bike racks – Perfect for safely transporting bikes.
• Ski/snowboard racks – Best for carrying skiing and snowboarding accessories.
• Kayak carriers – Excellent if your trip includes hitting the waves.

2. Accessories for Securing Roof Rack Loads

One best practice when transporting items on a roof rack is to secure the load firmly. This prevents unintentional load shifts, which can hamper your vehicle’s stability and cause certain items to fly off the roof.

There are different options to pick from, including ropes, ratchet straps, and bungee cords.

Ropes are readily available, relatively affordable, and considerably versatile. They’re also easier to work with, especially while tying items around tight frames.

However, ratchet straps excel in ropes in their stronger mechanisms. The straps are easier to tie into knots and lock firmly onto luggage, making them excellent when planning an off-road adventure.

Lastly, bungee cords are great for bundling different items together.

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3. Accessories for Locking Specific Items

Certain roof rack items must be locked down, usually to prevent them from getting stolen, but also to minimize damage. That’s where locking straps come in.

Locking straps can take on any shape and size, depending on the gear that you need to stash in them.

Whichever option you prefer, investing in a locking strap can enhance your vehicle’s stability by preventing load shifts during transit. The strap should also feature tamper-proof mechanisms that cushion your valuable road trip items from theft and unauthorized access.

And like most roof rack accessories, choose locking straps engineered to brave harsh weather conditions.

4. Accessories for Covering Your Roof Rack Load

After carefully placing luggage on a roof rack, it’s prudent to cover the entire load to prevent load shifts. Cargo nets were created precisely for that.

A cargo net ensures your gear remains on the roof rack even if such items accidentally slip out of their compartments. They provide extra peace of mind, knowing your belongings will arrive safe and in perfect shape.

Cargo nets may also help sort your road trip belongings into different categories – groceries, electronics, camping gear, etc. It’s a highly versatile accessory every roof rack must have.

Besides cargo nets, you could also cover your roof rack load with a waterproof canvas. The canvas primarily cushions your gear from harsh weather conditions, such as rain, snow, heat, and dust. It also prevents potentially dangerous and costly load shifts.

5. Accessories for Tenting

Nothing compares to the thrill of camping in an off-grid location, surrounded by nothing but Mother Nature’s sights and sounds.

If you’re planning a road adventure that will include camping in the middle of nowhere, you’ll certainly require a rooftop tent.

As the name suggests, a rooftop tent is designed to be mounted over your car’s roof rather than on the ground. It provides a comfortable napping environment free from animals and critters.

Most rooftop tents are incredibly easy to set up and take down. They also feature comfortable and low-maintenance built-in mattresses that fold into compact shapes for easy transportation.

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6. Accessories for StormWater Management

Many roof rack accessories feature waterproof materials that repel moisture and precipitation, keeping your belongings dry.

But when it comes to stormwater management, you’ll do well to install artificial rain gutters.

Your roof rack’s rain gutter channels stormwater (along with other debris) from the roof down the car through the appropriate downspouts. It prevents water from pooling on your roof rack, potentially damaging the platform and your vehicle’s roof.

Most artificial rain gutters come as standalone attachments that you buy separately. Their detachable design allows you to install them only when you foresee heavy precipitation.

7. Accessories for Minimizing Aerodynamic Drag

Carrying extra items on the roof rack may enhance your vehicle’s storage space. But it also increases aerodynamic drag (wind resistance) and noise.

Fortunately, you can reduce your roof rack’s aerodynamic drag and noise levels by installing wind deflectors.

A wind deflector attaches to the front of your roof rack, redirecting airflow over and through the luggage. This minimizes drag, improving your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and overall stability.

Like artificial rain gutters, wind deflectors are detachable and easy to install.

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Final Word

Adding the above accessories to your roof rack can optimize your road trip by improving your vehicle’s storage space, securing your load firmly, and improving the car’s overall performance.

However, remember that you may not require all these attachments, at least not for each road trip.

The conventional wisdom is to pick roof rack accessories based on the items you plan to bring on the trip. And just like the framework, all roof rack accessories should be maintained regularly for enhanced efficiency and longevity.