A roof rack turns a vehicle into a trip-tacking, ready-for-anything, and versatile machine. While most SUVs and cars come with a basic roof rack, if your car is not equipped yet, it is possible to install one yourself. Your vehicle might not have a rack at all (a bare roof), crossbars (roof rails), or full rack, but regardless of what you are beginning with, the following tips will help you to choose the best kayak rack for Tacoma:

Tip #1: Choose a rack that’s compatible with your car

Choose a rack that’s compatible with your car

A good number of racks have mounting requirements. For instance, a hitch rack normally needs a trailer hitch while a spare tire rack attaches only to SUVs that has a spare tire mounted on the car’s rear. A trunk rack might not be the best for vehicles with a spoiler.

Tip #2: Choose a rack that accommodates the kind of equipment you need to transport

Choose a rack that accommodates the kind of equipment you need to transport

Spare-tire racks, hitch racks, and trunk racks transport bikes. However, the number of bikes usually depends on the number you intend to carry as well as the model and type of rack. A roof rack tends to be more versatile thus giving you the choice of transporting snowboards and skis, a cargo container, a surfboard, a kayak, or even a Christmas tree.

Tip #3: Flexibility or not?

Flexibility or not?

You should decide whether you need the flexibility of removing and attaching a rack to another vehicle. Trunk racks are not only portable but also lightweight. Hitch racks, on the other hand, are extremely easy to remove and attach. Roof racks and spare tire racks are installed permanently often.

Tip #4: Consider one with a security box

Consider one with a security box

Is security your utmost concern? If yes, then you should settle for a roof rack that is lockable and which the hard sizes are not cuttable through. The downside is the fact that they are not only bulky to store when not using, but also expensive.

Tip #5: Taking to the Snow or the water

Taking to the Snow or the water

If you are a winter or water sports enthusiast and you intend to take your skis, snowboard, windsurfer, kayak or canoe out with you, what you need for your roof is a sports rack. The soft track surfboard system fits up three surfboards. Most of them do not need you to fit separate roof bars. Curved and larger items need a raised rack that requires roof bars which stop them from knocking to the bodywork of the car. That is especially true for heavy items like kayaks that will benefit heavily from a lift-assist roof carrier that makes it effortless to unload and load your cargo.

Tip #6: Do you need an extra set of wheels?

Do you need an extra set of wheels?

Are you keen on exploring your bike further away from home but do not desire to transport bikes to a chosen start point under your personal steam? If yes, your car needs a bike rack.

Two main types exist. These are:

  • One which holds your bikes on the roof
  • One that secures your bikes to the car’s rear

With a roof-mounted bike rack, it is possible to get close to four bikes securely fixed. They will not restrict your access to the car boot whenever loaded up. It’s also possible to get the lockable versions. For those with a tall car or you aren’t tall yourself, it can be quite tricky to fix your bikes. The bike racks fixed to your car’s rear tend to be cheaper since you don’t need any additional equipment like a roof bar.

However, the fact that they make it challenging to access the boot as well as they aren’t available for different cars makes them not to be preferred by many people.

Tip #7: Consider extra luggage space

Consider extra luggage space

The last thing you want when on a trip is to eat the kid’s legroom by rucksacks and holdalls. By doing that, you’ll definitely be fueling their reasons to moan and yet a long journey ahead awaits them. If your car boot is full, it is prudent to opt for roof box. Just like you would with a suitcase, all you have to do it is fill it up and then fix it to a designated roof rail pack of your car. The good thing is that most of the boxes normally provide plenty of storage space similar to the car boot.

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Nick Soros
Author: Nick Soros