How to carry cargo on the roof rack? The main mistakes and recommendations when securing cargo to the trunk Mounting on the roof of a car for the transport of goods.

It will sound trite, but... Before you load the roof rack, carefully read the operating instructions for the car. For what? It happens that a universal trunk is unknowingly put on a car that is not intended for this at all. For example, the body of the Peugeot 408 sedan is not equipped with the necessary amplifiers, so the installation of roof rails and crossbars is prohibited. If the installation of the roof rack is allowed, read what is the permissible weight of the transported cargo. Usually it is 50-70 kg.

“Just fifty kilos? - the experienced motorist will be surprised. - I drove three centners on the roof of the "six"! We willingly believe. For VAZ models, from "penny" to "nine", the trunk was attached to the gutters located along the edges of the roof, which could withstand significant overload. On modern cars, standard roof rails (longitudinal rails for transporting goods) or transverse luggage racks rest directly on the roof, so “getting” to straighten out dents is a trifle. More precisely, a couple of extra boards.

And do not think that reinsurers write instructions. Of course, engineers have laid down a certain margin of safety, so dents will not appear immediately on the roof of a car that is regularly overloaded. Or they won't show up. It depends on the case: how big the overload is, what roads to drive on (the more bumps, the more chances to get a dent) and ... what kind of luggage you need to carry. Yes Yes! Much depends on the cargo itself. Here are some tips if you have to deliver on the trunk ...

...lumber

The most common mistake lumber haulers make is misjudging the weight of the load. A good example: how much does a 3-meter "magpie" board weigh? Whole 10 kg! This is if we assume that the mass of one cubic meter of dry pine wood is 600 kg (sometimes more when the material is not well dried). Thus, you can load only ... 5 such boards on the rails, and not 15-20, as many would like.

Therefore, look at how many cubic meters the purchase pulled - in the documents, conscientious sellers write both the quantity and volume of lumber. And then we multiply the volume by the reference mass of one cubic meter of the desired type of wood and thus find out how much your cargo weighs. Here is an example. The invoice contains 0.336 cubic meters of dry spruce board, which we multiply by 450 kg (1 cubic meter of spruce wood weighs so much), and we get 151 kg. This means that in order to deliver so much material in a passenger car, it will take three walkers.

If you load lumber in 6-meter bundles, a huge moment of inertia will swing the luggage, which will then pull out the trunk racks, then press them in. The most noticeable effect will be on bad roads, when the pendulum oscillations are especially strong.

...pipes

With metal, the situation is similar - it is difficult for the layman to estimate its mass. We will not give calculation formulas for each type of metal profile, since they are well known to metal depot workers, but we will restrict ourselves to the formula for a round pipe. So, in order to find out how much one linear meter of a round steel pipe weighs, you need to subtract the thickness from the outer diameter, and multiply the result by the thickness and multiply by 0.025 again. For reference, we give the masses of the most common pipes with a thickness of 3.5 mm: with a diameter of 76 mm - 6.3 kg (linear meter), 89 mm - 7.6 kg.

At the same time, pipes (as well as any other metal products) have one extremely unpleasant feature: the friction between the steel trunk and the steel pipe is small, therefore, during acceleration and braking, rolled metal can move back and forth. If the trunk crossbars are covered with a layer of rubber, the problem disappears. Otherwise, it would be useful to put a piece of rubber under the luggage - for example, ordinary latex gloves.

Other difficulties - as in the transportation of wood. The pipes must not be allowed to begin to sway (this is possible even on a perfectly flat road, under the influence of an oncoming air flow), otherwise they will easily tear out the trunk mounts - you should securely fasten the luggage and stop regularly to check and tighten the mounts. Also, when loading "to the eyeballs", bad roads should be avoided so as not to flush the roof. In general, the shorter the pipes (or boards), the smoother the asphalt and the more moderate the speed, the less likely it is to damage the bodywork.

... plywood and polycarbonate

Very dangerous cargo! At a speed of 100 km / h, any plate with an area of ​​1 square meter can create a lift force of the order of 300 N. To make it clearer, let's make a simple comparison: for the first aircraft, whose wings did not evolve much from ordinary plywood, the load per square meter of the wing was the same 300 N. So, seemingly harmless sheets can easily raise the front of the car above the road (and this is an inevitable loss of control), or ... tear off the trunk! No kidding.

How to avoid it? When transporting sheet materials, do not accelerate faster than 50-60 km/h. This is an axiom. We also advise you to securely fasten the load: it is important that the front of the sheet does not rise above the trunk. To do this, you need to connect the sheets together (best with clamps - if you often transport sheet materials, do not be stingy with buying them), or by pressing the plywood on top with a long bar or heavy luggage like boards. Of course, with the second option, we must not forget about the maximum allowable load.

And you won’t find much on rubber bands! It is better to tie sheet materials with straps or ropes, since the flow of incoming air can lift the load so much that the “elastic bands” stretch to the limit and burst. Also keep in mind that plywood tends to “play”: fasteners can loosen on irregularities, so regular monitoring and tightening are needed. And do not be alarmed if the car will be controlled somewhat unusually - keep in mind that a wing, albeit imperfect, is fixed above the roof.

About the rest

In order to carry luggage to the destination without incident, it is enough to observe 5 simple tips, proven over the years.

1. Take your time. When transporting the announced 50 kg, the height of the center of gravity increases by 10-12%, which negatively affects stability and controllability. And the greater the mass of the load, the more difficult it is to control the machine. So tune in to a slow, calm movement without sharp acceleration and deceleration and sharp turns.

2. Attach the load securely. And always do this, not allowing yourself excuses like “yes, there are literally a couple of kilometers here, this piece of plywood is not going anywhere.” How else will it go: fly away to another car, slide back, crushing the trunk lid - in general, there are a lot of options. And if there is a long road ahead, stop regularly and check if the fasteners are loose.

3. Don't skimp on fasteners. If you know that you will regularly carry luggage on the roof, assemble a set of fasteners: a couple of long strong ropes, a couple of tie-down straps, a set of rigging elastic bands ... And there are also special metal “stoppers”, special fasteners that are worn directly on the trunk and greatly facilitate transportation oversized cargo.

4. Always check the trunk. It is necessary to check the fastening of the trunk not only before each shipment, but also after unloading. Suddenly, the lodgements loosened under the weight of things? And if you never remove the crossbars, look at the condition of the body under the mounts: very often the latter rub the paint down to the metal, provoking corrosion pockets.

5. Count your money. Empty, without luggage, the trunk at a speed of 80 km / h increases fuel consumption by 5-10%, and with a load, consumption can increase by 30%! So consider whether it is more profitable to hire a Gazelle-format truck, especially if there are several walkers. Moreover, the services of carriers are now relatively inexpensive due to the abundance of offers.

What do traffic rules say

An entire chapter is devoted to the transportation of goods in the SDA. We will highlight a few important points that will be useful to motorists.

• The rules of the road require that the luggage does not restrict the driver's view, does not impede driving and does not violate the stability of the vehicle, does not cover external lighting devices and reflectors, registration and identification marks, does not create noise, does not generate dust, does not pollute the road and the environment.
• Cargo protruding beyond the dimensions of the machine in front and behind by more than 1 m or to the side by more than 0.4 m from the outer edge of the marker light must be marked with signs "Oversized cargo". No red rags! Only a special sign. At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, a white flashlight or reflector is also needed in front, and a red flashlight or reflector in the back.
• In fact, the transportation of goods that exceed 2.55 m in width and 4 m in height from the surface of the carriageway is prohibited. To do this, you need to coordinate the route and obtain a special permit from the traffic police. Also, traffic rules prohibit the luggage to protrude more than 2 meters beyond the rear point of the vehicle's dimensions.

For violation of the rules for the transportation of goods, the Code of Administrative Offenses provides for a warning or a 500-ruble fine.

Then at some point, sooner or later, you may need to carry luggage on the roof of the car. This is the best place in the car to transport bulky cargo and other things that can not fit in the car. In this case, if you need to transport a rather large load that does not fit in the cabin or trunk, then the best place is the roof of your car.

At the moment, there are many smart and fashionable racks and other devices on the roof of the car, for convenient transportation. But they all cost a lot of money, and are bulky enough to store at home. If you rarely need to carry luggage on the roof, then it makes no sense for you to purchase such roof racks.

So for many who want to transport cargo on the roof of the car, the problem becomes related to how to transport cargo safely without a special roof rack. Unfortunately, most drivers do not know how to do this. We offer you a life hack that will help you independently and safely secure bulky luggage on the roof of your car.

In order to secure cargo on the roof, ideally there should be something on the car so that luggage can be tied. For example, roof rails, which are in many modern cars. Also, in order to safely tie the load on the roof of the car, you need to lay a cloth or blanket on it so that the luggage does not slip.

In addition, you will need a regular rope, with which you will tie luggage, with which you can safely move no more than 50 km / h.

For example, it is very convenient to use nylon straps (screeds), with which you can fasten anything to the roof, from bicycles to furniture. These straps will help you secure your luggage on the roof, whether you have an old car or a new one.

If you properly secure the luggage on the roof of the car, then even at high speed, the load will not fly off the car. The main thing is the strength of the knots and the correct bundle of luggage. In this way, you will ensure the stability and safety of luggage on the roof.

Here's what you need to secure any load on the roof of the car:

First of all, as we said, you must have some kind of strong rope or nylon tie-down straps. If the ends of the rope or straps show signs of wear, then you will need to cut them off with a sharp knife or scissors to make the fastener straight.

To prevent the ends of a synthetic rope or belt from unraveling, you need to burn them with a lighter and press the melted end with a piece of cardboard. Never touch the melted end of the strap or rope with your fingers as you could be seriously burned.

Attention! If the rope (or belt) is made of organic fibers, then if you try to burn its ends with a lighter, the rope will ignite.

In order to properly secure luggage on the roof, you must select at least 3 (preferably 4) cargo securing points. These anchor points will represent the points of stability.

For example, in the photo you can see how you can mount a bicycle on the roof of a car by tying the handlebar, frame and its rear part of the structure separately.

As you can see, in order to fix the bike on the roof, you have to mount it with the wheels up. Then, one by one, begin to tighten the various elements of the bicycle with a rope or straps. So first, secure the right handlebar of the bicycle handlebar. Then proceed to tie the left handle. That is, in this way, you secure the bike at two points of rigidity. Then secure the rear of the bike by tightening the strap securely.

Please note that several turns of a belt or rope need to be made around the bicycle handlebar, grabbing the bicycle frame directly. Please note that the turns must be made in an interference fit to prevent the luggage tie from loosening while the car is moving. Also, after each turn of the belt, make a knot on it.

In principle, you can secure the load on the roof in many ways that are most convenient for you. The main thing to remember is that in order to securely fasten luggage on the roof of the car, it must be secured to at least three points of support. Ideally, there should be four such points.

After you secure all parts of the load, your task is to make a strong knot at the end of the rope, which should not untie under any circumstances.

To do this, before fixing the end of the rope or belt, make just such a braid as in the photo.

Also, in the case of transporting a bicycle, you can fix the rest of the rope or belt under the seat. An example in the photo.

Here is another example of how to attach a surfboard to the roof of a car. This method of mounting on the roof of the car is also suitable for transporting any other flat items such as stepladder, bookshelves, picture frames, etc.

As with a bicycle, to carry flat items on the roof of your car, place a cloth or blanket under the roof rails to keep the load from sliding off the roof rack.

Then pass the belt through the other side as well. As a result, you will make a reliable cargo tie. If you are using a belt with factory locks, positioning the belt as shown in the photo above will allow you to easily tie the ends together.

If you are using a rope, then you need to make a secure knot.

For reliable fastening of flat elements on the roof of the car, you need to make several turns of the belt or rope around the luggage on each side, passing the fastener several times through the luggage rails on the roof of the car.

Pay attention to the photo. This kind of flat luggage hitch on the roof is fixed at four anchor points, which ensures the safety and security of the tied luggage on the roof of the car.

The only thing that can move a flat load is if it sticks out a lot above the windshield. Then when the machine is moving at air speed, it can loosen your cargo hitch or lift it up.

Every car owner sooner or later needs to transport a large cargo. If the dimensions of the car allow you to use the cabin space for this, then there are no problems. For example, a station wagon can fit a medium-sized refrigerator with the rear seats folded down. To transport a load of a more impressive size, you will need to install additional devices. To do this, mount the trunk on the roof of your car.

The trunk is a transverse bar that is fixed on the roof of the car. These products are classified into several types depending on the design features and types of fastening. When choosing, it is necessary to pay attention to the credibility of the manufacturer, the presence of positive reviews and the compliance of the system for fixing a particular car. Numerous advantages of a car roof rack have made this structural element one of the most sought after.

open type

A universal product that can be installed on any car models. Such a trunk is designed to transport various items. Due to the metal crossbars and crossbars, the cargo is securely fixed and held on the roof. Additional fasteners guarantee stability and increased fixation strength. A distinctive feature of the device is its affordable price.

The disadvantages of mounting an open roof rack include poor aerodynamic qualities, which negatively affects fuel consumption, and the lack of protection of the cargo being transported from atmospheric precipitation. The reliability of cargo securing is increased by using a mesh for securing cargo on the trunk.

Car luggage box

Available in two versions: hard and soft. Such a device provides protection of the roof and transported things from precipitation and dirt. The rigid design of the trunk looks like a box made of plastic or carbon fiber. The latter option is more durable, but its cost is higher. Products differ in volume, material and fastening system. When choosing, you need to focus on the desired result and technical characteristics.

Trunk locks protect transported items from intruders even in an unguarded parking lot. When moving, excellent aerodynamic qualities are provided, which reduces resistance during high-speed driving and reduces the load on the engine. The average cost is 10,000 rubles.

Specialized luggage carriers

The trunk is designed to carry sports equipment and bicycles. The system consists of a combination of fasteners. The product is suitable for people who lead an active lifestyle and prefer cycling in nature. The advantage of such a trunk is mobility, because it can be fixed immediately before use, and then safely dismantled.

The disadvantages include an insignificant level of practicality, since the user has the opportunity to transport only a certain type of product (bicycles, boats, sports equipment). Despite the simplicity of the design, sometimes there are difficulties with its installation.

This type of trunk combines the features of other varieties. It is suitable for fixing objects of various sizes, easy to install and dismantle when needed. The universal product is one of the most popular due to its mobility and practicality.

Expeditionary basket-type trunk

In appearance, it resembles a basket with special zones. Here you can place various items, such as a chipper, spare tire, flashlight, tools. This is a great option for tourists, hunters and fishermen. In addition, the product protects the upper body part of the car from mechanical damage while driving. Fastening of the forwarding type of the trunk has a number of distinctive nuances and features.

Trunk fastening methods

There are several options for mounting the roof rack. For each type of trunk, it is advisable to use a specific mounting structure. Mounting a roof rack on a car with your own hands requires the car owner to have special skills and tools.

Performing Universal Mounting

The design of some cars does not provide special fasteners for the trunk. In such cases, the device is fixed on the gutters located in the upper part of the car. This method requires time and physical costs, in comparison with fixing the trunk on the roof rails with your own hands, which is its main drawback.

Performing standard installation

Most roof racks come with a mounting system, which is convenient and very practical. To fix the trunk racks, simple bolts are used. If the manufacturer was stingy and did not put them in the kit, then the corresponding devices are bought in the store. You can also use standard bolts. The main thing is that they fit in length and diameter.

Mounting the roof rack takes about 10 minutes, and for this you do not need to have special knowledge and skills. This is the easiest installation method, which is used everywhere. An excellent choice for those who only use a roof rack when absolutely necessary and don't want to carry it on their roof the rest of the time. Before buying, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations from the car developers, which will avoid many problems during installation and further operation.

Mounting on rails

Before you make a roof mount with rails, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of this structural element. Roof rails are longitudinal strips that are mounted along the body of the car. Before attaching the trunk to the roof rails, it is necessary to consider the structural elements. The main parts of the system include:

• planks;
• holders;
• bolts;
• seals.

The latter protect against water and precipitation. Almost all cars have long plastic slats, one end of which is located near the rear window, and the other near the windshield. Mounting the roof rack on the roof rails reduces installation time.

How to make a trunk with your own hands

Roof racks are expensive. In addition, the quality of products does not always allow transporting too heavy loads. That is why an excellent solution would be to independently manufacture the structure. This will require tools, materials, some skills. The most common and practical are expeditionary and universal type trunks. Their advantage lies in the ease of repair and maintenance.

When creating a trunk with your own hands, it must be taken into account that the system must have high strength and reliability, since the safety on the road of all road users directly depends on this. In the event of any accident, the responsibility lies solely with the driver of the vehicle.

Most motorists use this structural element only when necessary. In this case, it is advisable to make the system removable. A master without special skills is recommended to start by creating the most common variety - a universal one. The main feature is the presence of two crossbars. For self-production, you will need the following materials and tools:

• grinder;
• dye;
• fiberglass with a density of at least 300 g / m²;
• mounting foam;
• clamps - 4 pcs.;
• aluminum profile 20 × 30, its wall thickness should not be less than 1.5 mm.

Any metal can act as a material for the profile, but aluminum products have high strength characteristics and at the same time have a small mass. For the manufacture of a high-quality trunk and its attachment to the roof, you should adhere to the established algorithm of actions:

1. It is necessary to cut the crossbars, the length of each must correspond to the width of the body of the car.
2. Products are covered with foam from the inside and outside. A dense layer will allow at the third stage to give the necessary configuration to the crossbars.
3. When the foam hardens, the excess parts are removed, and the surface is processed with a grinder. The profile must first have the shape of a parallelepiped, after which adjustments are made to obtain good aerodynamic properties - you need to grind off the corners.
4. Due to the porous structure of the foam, the material is subject to negative environmental influences. The substance tolerates contact with moisture especially poorly. To ensure a high level of protection, automotive putty is used.
5. Then the crossbars are wrapped with three layers of fiberglass.
6. Then paint is applied.
7. While the structure dries, you can proceed to the manufacture of fasteners. The simplest and most economical option are clamps. It is important to file the bottom of the product so that the plate is even. This is necessary for tight and reliable contact.
8. Two holes are drilled in the crossbars at each end. Between them, such a distance must be maintained so that the ears of the clamp enter.
9. At the final stage, the crossbars are attached to the rails. In order to avoid damage to the cross member by clamps, rubber gaskets are placed at the points of contact.

This is the simplest technology for creating a roof rack for a vehicle. Its advantages include high speed of implementation, economy, reliability and quality. However, the service life of the structure is limited by various factors, including the amount of precipitation, the dimensions and weight of the cargo, and the distance of transportation. If the car is not equipped with roof rails, then you will have to think about another method of securing. Installing such a roof rack on a car is not difficult, the main thing is to understand its design features.

Creating an expedition trunk requires more time, financial investment and skills. You must first draw up a detailed drawing and acquire a welding machine.

How to secure cargo on a roof rack

For reliable fastening of cargo on the trunk, you should prepare a list of additional devices (paws, reef, rope, ties, etc.). Some cars are equipped with equipment from the manufacturer, meaning roof rails. For safe transportation, you will definitely need a rope. There are no problems with fixing small items, but when transporting large items, a number of features and nuances should be taken into account.

The quality and reliability of fastening depends on the rope that is used to secure the load on the trunk. It is better to give preference to synthetic and natural options. In this case, the thickness of the rope is calculated taking into account the margin of safety. During the movement of the car, the load securing points are subjected to increased loads that a thin rope may not be able to cope with. Nylon straps work well. With their help, bicycles, furniture and other overall items are easily attached to the roof.

The rope must be long enough to secure items to the roof in one length. A fastener connected from individual elements shows little reliability, since even the strongest knot may not withstand the load.

For high-quality fixation of the load, it is necessary to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

• Attached items are stacked as stable as possible.
• The rope is fixed on the longitudinal part of the trunk, the second end should remain long;
• Next, the rope is thrown over the roof and wrapped several times around the longitudinal element on the other side.
• At the first end, you need to make a loop through which the second end is passed. This creates a kind of pulley that allows you to increase the tightening force.
• The edges of the rope need to be wrapped around the guides a couple of times and fixed with reliable knots.

There are several options for fixing, but this method has established itself as the simplest, fastest and most reliable. The use of nylon belts greatly facilitates this task, but you will have to buy ties and a ratchet, which is quite expensive. If you plan to use the roof of the car to transport a specific type of cargo, then it is better to purchase special options, for example, a ski mount on the trunk.

How to secure cargo on rails

A useful element for securing cargo on the roof are special structural retainers or load limiters. They are made of durable plastic in the form of a triangle with an integrated bracket, mounted on rectangular trunk crossbars, as well as on aerodynamic elements. The method of fastening must be specified when choosing a roof rack for a car.

The roof rack is a practical element that allows you to quickly and safely transport cargo of various sizes. When choosing and purchasing a certain type of trunk, it is necessary to focus on the practicality of the design and features of the car body. Experts recommend not saving on additional fastening in the trunk of a car, since these elements are designed to ensure the safety of things.

24.02.2015

Few motorists plan to carry something bulky and heavy on the top trunk. What for? A standard compartment in the back of the car for personal items and even some (least dimensional) building materials is enough. But there are situations when the capabilities of the "iron horse" have to be used 100%, including loading the roof. But can it be done? What rules to follow? How to organize transportation? We will talk about this in the article.

Let's remember traffic rules

To begin with, let's refresh our memory of the requirements of traffic rules regarding the transportation of goods. I would like to note that each paragraph of the rules is written on the basis of many years of experience, and the main goal of the traffic rules as a whole is the maximum safety of all road users.

Look in the technical manual of your car - the permissible load weight for the roof rack should be registered there. For domestic cars, the maximum weight is usually limited to 50-60 kilograms. With foreign cars, the situation is not much better - in them the permitted weight on the roof is up to 70-80 kilograms. Theoretically, the car can be loaded even more, but this significantly increases the risk of getting into an accident or damaging the vehicle body.

A number of requirements apply to the load itself on the roof. In particular, it should not restrict visibility, make it difficult to drive a car, or affect the stability of the latter. If the cargo is a source of dust, noise or environmental pollution, then it is prohibited to transport it. In a situation where the load on the roof blocks the view through the rear window, then the installation of an additional rear-view mirror is mandatory.

Pay special attention to the dimensions of objects - they should not protrude more than 40 cm from the side (counted from the parking lights) and 1 meter behind the edge of the bumper. When transporting during the day, the cargo should be marked with a special sign (a 40x40 cm shield with diagonal red and white stripes), and at night - with a lantern and a reflective element (in front - white, and behind - red).

What and how to transport?

• The refrigerator does not fit in a regular trunk or passenger compartment, so you have to use the roof of the car. There is no desire to hire special transport because of one piece of equipment, and it is expensive. What to do when you need to take an old refrigerator to the country house or a new one for repairs? If the weight of the unit is about 50 kilograms, then transportation on the roof is quite real. The main thing is not to exceed the speed limit (the permissible limit is 50 km / h) and be careful when cornering.

• The bathtub is another frequent "victim" of transportation. And the worst thing is when you have to load a Soviet iron product. The weight of such a structure can exceed 100-120 kilograms, so its transportation can result not only in the repair of the car roof, but also in a major accident. If we are talking about lighter versions of products that do not exceed the permissible weight (for example, an acrylic bathtub), then transportation is quite real.

• Metal pipes may be needed to perform minor repairs. There are other situations when products need to be transported from one point to another. Whatever the purpose, you must determine the mass of the pipes. Doing it "by eye" is a very difficult task. But there are general principles that can help. On average, a meter of pipe with a diameter of 76 mm and a wall thickness of 3-3.5 mm will weigh about six to seven kilograms. During fastening, consider the negative property of the pipes - they slide strongly over the trunk (especially metal). Hence, having rubber pads is one of the best ways to prevent slipping. For these purposes, you can use small pieces of rubber - they are inserted betweentrunk and pipe.

• The bike can be transported on the roof of the car, but this requires special fastenings and clamps (the “on the side” option will not work here). By the way, today there are fasteners that allow you to transport a two-wheeled friend on the tailgate or even the rear bumper (spare wheel).

• Plywood (sheets of chipboard, OSB, and so on) must be loaded and fastened very carefully. The driving speed must not exceed 50 km/h. Otherwise, windage may occur, which contributes to the lifting of the front of the car and loss of control. In addition, there is no guarantee that the upper trunk of the car will be able to withstand the additional load. It is desirable to fasten such a load with high-quality ropes (rubber is not suitable as a material). But that's not all. It is advisable to fasten the sheets together with clamps. At the same time, from time to time it is worth stopping the car and periodically checking the quality of fastening the load to the trunk. It is better to turn off the music during transportation in order to be aware of the entire traffic situation.

• Furniture. If you need to transport something very bulky, for example, a large closet, then it is advisable to disassemble it. In this case, the dimensions will be smaller, and it will be more convenient to mount. The same requirement applies to a number of other pieces of furniture, for example, the same sofa.

Preparation for transportation and fastening features

Before you hit the road, securely fix all things on the trunk. If you need to transport boxes or other containers, seal them with adhesive tape. A similar requirement applies to the doors of drawers and cabinets on furniture (if they are transported assembled). All glass structural elements should be removed and packaged separately using a special “bubble” film or bulk cardboard. All possible transformations of furniture during the movement of vehicles should be excluded (this is especially true for sofas). If you are transporting rolls of linoleum or carpets, then it is advisable to securely fasten them with adhesive tape.

Placement of cargo on the roof must be uniform. Otherwise, the displaced center of gravity can play a cruel joke in the form of loss of control when cornering. Cargo fastening can be carried out with the help of special harnesses on hooks (with the exception of the cases that we have discussed above). Today on sale you can find many different tapes for fastening with special winches and locks. In extreme cases, you can use the ropes, but you need to fasten them as carefully as possible, avoiding touching the car body.

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20.06.2018, 09:09 25137 0 Assembly of Motorists

Fastening cargo on the trunk of a car - how to save space, money and not lose safety and quality?

When buying a car, we pursue a specific goal: as a rule, it is a quick and safe movement from point A to point B. The distance between these points can be as much as several hundred meters or thousands of kilometers. And in any modification of a passenger car, even in a sports two-seater coupe, there is a luggage compartment, at least a small one.

But in addition to small bags and suitcases, oversized and bulky cargo can be involved in a long journey or moving. Here, the car owner comes to the aid of the option of transporting cargo on the trunk of a car located outside the passenger compartment - on the roof.

It can easily accommodate: building materials, skis, snowboards, sledges, bicycles, boats, pipes, lumber. The advantages of this type of accommodation include:

• transportation up to 100 kg or more, depending on the mass allowed by the operating instructions;
• affordable price compared to alternatives, for example, a classic trailer;
• perfect fixation of the load when driving at speeds, slopes, road roughness;
• combination of additional fastening methods, allowing the most ergonomic distribution of the resource;
• when reversing, a bumper mount or a trailer can make maneuvering much more difficult - this does not happen when the load is placed on the roof!

It is worth noting that even 5-7 years ago, the market for car mounts was not very diverse. Today in this segment there are both universal options suitable for any car, as well as individually designed for a specific brand or model of car.

In the manufacture of more and more diverse materials are used: from aluminum and stainless steel to high-strength plastics and composite materials. Modern roof mounts do not impair the aerodynamic properties of the car, have an aesthetic appearance, are easy to mount and dismantle on their own.

Car trunk modifications - types of mounts, advantages and disadvantages

The modification of the roof rack is selected, first of all, based on the tasks that need to be solved. Carrying bulk cargo is one thing, transporting a bicycle is another. Canoes and boats require a third, ski equipment a fourth.

Basically, the roof rack is two transverse arcs attached to the roof rails. As part of minivans, SUVs and crossovers, these elements are already present. Of course, it is best to choose a roof rack that was released specifically for your car model and brand, but you can also choose a universal gadget. If the car is sold, it can be dismantled and remounted to a new one.

According to the modifications of the mounts, the trunks are divided into 8 large categories:

1. plumbing installation. This is a universal mount, as 8 out of 10 modern cars have drains. The advantage of this modification is that you can move the trunk along the car, changing the center of gravity and optimally distributing the weight. Also, instead of one, you can mount 2 rack racks;
2. doorway installation. Ideal for flat top vehicles. In the closed state, the doors completely exclude the possibility of unauthorized dismantling. In addition, with the help of special adapters, you can install the gadget on a three-door car;
3. regular installation. Threaded connections or special recesses must be provided on the car. Of the advantages, it is worth noting full compliance with the manufacturer's requirements in terms of the weight of the transported cargo and dimensions, aesthetic appearance and ergonomics. Among the shortcomings - a fixed mounting position, without the possibility of supplementing or moving the center of gravity;
4. railing mount. A very convenient type of transportation if the car is already equipped with this accessory. Allows you to place an oblong-shaped load. Easy installation and dismantling of the trunk itself. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the center of gravity located above the car. This affects handling. Therefore, more and more automakers are placing roof rails closer and closer to the roof;
5. Mounting on integrated rails. They do not have clearance, so the center of gravity of the load is shifted lower towards the car. For this type of trunk, it is difficult to choose transverse arcs. As a rule, automakers themselves produce modifications for each brand of car.
6. Mounting the trunk on a T-shaped profile. It is very rare on expensive all-wheel drive foreign cars. Very convenient and practical to use. Cargo and trunk do not touch and do not scratch the roof.
7. magnetic trunk. Installed on any type of roof. Among the shortcomings are the low carrying capacity and the limitation on the speed of movement of the vehicle.
8. inflatable trunk. It can also be attached to any car model. Fixation occurs with the help of belts that pass through the interior. Suitable for one-time transportation over short distances with a low vehicle speed.

When choosing, first of all, be guided by your needs, the recommendations of the manufacturer of your car, as well as traffic rules, whether it is a bicycle rack on the roof of a car, whether it is boat or canoe fastening belts.

Cargo on the trunk of a car - what is transported and why?

The choice of a rational trunk depends on the cargo being transported, as a rule, the following need to be transported: building materials, sports equipment, things, clothes, shoes, camping equipment, bicycles. Depending on this, the following is fixed on the roof:

• oversized storage basket;
• car closed drop-shaped box;
• extended trunk for winter equipment or surfboards;
• mounts for transporting bicycles;
• special holding devices for moving boats, canoes and other sports and camping equipment;
• fasteners for transportation of oversized cargo.

Any of these options will significantly expand the capabilities of your car, unload the main trunk and give space inside the car for a comfortable trip for all passengers, even with the maximum load on the car.

You can install any modification of the trunk without the use of special tools and technical knowledge in 5-7 minutes of independent work. Detailed instructions are included with each variation. Special attention should be paid to the correct distribution of weight and the arrangement of individual elements.

For example, the straps for securing cargo on the trunk of a car should not hang down and hang out. Things in a closed box must be distributed evenly and care must be taken that they do not scatter with each set of speed and braking.

Bicycle racks for a car should be made of quality materials and have additional clamps and straps for secure attachment of any brand and model of bike.

Manufacturers of car trunks - value for money

Today, the segment of quality roof racks is represented by 5-7 foreign manufacturers and 2-3 domestic companies. It all depends solely on your budget, needs and needs.

Do not trust cheap analogues and an unknown manufacturer. The road is an increased danger and it is worth transporting goods on the roof with enhanced precautions.

Mounting a bicycle on the trunk of a car must be ready for increased loads. The autobox should have additional locks and security measures for your cargo, such as clips or locking buttons.

It is worth remembering that exceeding the allowable load or approaching the maximum placement weight is a risk of damaging the roof and significantly reducing aerodynamics, appearance and reducing the cost of the car.

Before buying, study video reviews, of which there are a huge number today. It is worth noting that manufacturers specializing in car trunks produce and upgrade their lineup every season. If you need modern solutions - choose new ones, if you want to save a budget, buy old proven variations.

Good luck and safe journey!