A rooftop cargo carrier can help extend the carrying capacity of your vehicle and make it easy to transport a lot more items than would otherwise be possible. Though a properly mounted rack can be a handy accessory for a vehicle, there are pros and cons involved in their use that should be taken into account when deciding whether one is right for you.
With a rooftop cargo rack on top of the vehicle you can carry more cargo than can fit into the trunk or other storage areas. Specially designed storage containers can be used to carry more items with your vehicle. Luggage, boxes and other bulky items can be stored on top, making more room for passengers and making road trips much more enjoyable.
With the proper rooftop rack, items that may be too large to fit in the vehicle can be transported with your vehicle. Ski racks are available that can lock the skis in place on top of the rack and carry them to your favorite ski slope. Some bike racks allow bicycles to be carried upright on the roof of the vehicle. Even items as large as furniture or mattresses can be carried if they are strapped down properly to the rack.
Because of the drag effect of larger items on the roof, the wind resistance of the vehicle can be greatly affected. This greater wind drag can make the vehicle get much poorer gas mileage than would otherwise be the case. Also crosswinds can hit the items on the roof and cause the vehicle to become less stable. The vehicle may have more of a tendency to drift to one side or the other.
The installation of the cargo rack may cause damage to the finish of the vehicle where it is installed. Some are bolted in place on the roof, and others may be held with a special high-strength glue. Even the straps can cause damage to the finish if they are loose enough to rub the finish for long periods. Care should be taken when strapping items to the rack to ensure that the strapping mechanism doesn't scratch the finish.
