How To Secure A Load On Roof Racks

Use proper cam straps to secure your load.

How to secure a load on roof racks.

Wood said most roof rack systems for cars have a dynamic roof load of about 165 pounds. Next pull the long end of the strap under the crossbar on the. Carry bulky gear that won t fit in your vehicle. First loop the strap under the roof rack s crossbar and drape the loose ends over your oblong load i e.

Two equally spaced straps running front to back and two side to side across the load will do the trick for most standard shaped items. Start by loading dimensional lumber onto the rack with the narrow edges resting on the crossbars. Use a tie down that wraps around the item and the rails. Next secure the load to the rack using ratchet straps photo 2.

Step by step instructions step 1 packing step 2 secure everything well. First place smaller items together in a tub or suitcase. After packing the cargo on top of the car use your tie down materials to secure the load. Then secure the front and back ends of each lumber bundle with ratchet straps to prevent movement photo 1.

On each side of the roof you ll see a rack that runs the length of the roof of the vehicle. Refer to rooftop tent and rack manufacturers for more details. Then you can begin organizing the cargo on the roof of your car. With the third option crossbars with side rails you can secure an item to the side rails and run tie downs from front to back securing them to the crossbars.

That prevents the bundle from sliding forward backward or side to side. The second option is the side racks. Place heavier items on top of lighter items to keep them in place and all items should stay centered between the doors. Rope is ok but you have to master several fancy knots for it to be safe.