Tips on Carrying Cargo on the Roof of Your Car

There are plenty of ways to carry cargo with your car. The roof is a valuable resource if you’re looking to expand your capacity, or if you need to move bulky or odd-shaped objects that might not fit inside the cabin. Carrying cargo on the roof is easy if you know what you’re doing, but it can lead to disaster if you don’t. These tips will help you carry anything you need to on the roof with ease.

Carry Cargo the Right Way

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 51,000 crashes per year are caused by flying debris on the roads. Those crashes resulted in 10,000 injuries and 440 deaths. Carrying cargo appropriately can be a life and death matter. So how do you carry cargo on your roof safely? These tips can help:

• Don’t Overestimate Capacity: Every car has its limits, and you don’t want to exceed them. You probably shouldn’t put anything on the roof of a convertible. Maybe something small on a sports car or coupe, and a bit more on an SUV or minivan. Check the owner’s manual and see if there are any ratings for the roof — or even better, if you have a roof rack, check to see what its load rating is.
• Tie It Down Securely: Anything on the roof should be thoroughly secured. Cargo straps or a sturdy rope will usually do the trick. If you have a roof rack, secure the cargo there. If you don’t, you can pass the straps or rope through the open windows. You want to make sure the straps or rope pass over the cargo at least twice. You also want to secure it both front to back and side to side so that the cargo can’t slide out.
• Get the Right Equipment: Need to haul sporting goods like skis, snowboards, bikes, or kayaks? Get the right gear for the job. It will be better protected and it will also protect your car. Need to carry luggage on top of the car? Get a roof rack cargo box to do the job best.

Let Green Light Credit Help You Find a Safer Car

If you need more cargo capacity, consider a new truck or SUV. Green Light Auto Credit can help you get the financing you need. We work with a nationwide network of lenders and dealerships to make sure you get the loan and vehicle you deserved. We even have specialists who work with customers who have credit that isn’t ideal. Contact Green Light Auto Credit online now or give us a call at (800) 200-5551 with any questions about financing a vehicle in the St. Louis, MO area.

Back To Top