Five top tips for roof-top luggage

Getting ready to head off on an adventure? On or off-road, a major consideration is where and how to fit all your gear, especially if you’re travelling with mates or your kids.

SUVs are great, but the cargo options become limited when you add back-seat passengers. Even in the larger 4WDs, packing space is at a premium when there's more than two in the vehicle. So, when it comes to packing for your adventure, roof-rack expert ROLA knows all about the added flexibility a quality roof rack system can bring.

Cruising down the freeway at full speed or bumping down a well-worn dirt track, you want to make sure your cargo is safely secured and still there when you reach your destination. A rooftop storage solution can provide almost unlimited potential for your cargo carrying needs. Plus there are multiple options available for whatever road trip you undertake...

Roof rack luggage systems are great for getting the larger items out of the cabin of the vehicle. And with the range of additional accessories available, such as weather-proof bags and boxes, you won't have to worry about items being exposed to the elements.

Looking for something a little more solid and ready for the outback? A tray with add-ons for your necessities is the perfect solution. There is a variety of recovery track holders, spare wheel holders, jerry can and gas bottles holders as well as brackets for lights and awnings that bolt securely to the flat tray.

However, before you start loading up, there are some important safety issues to be considered; these will affect what items you can store on your roof as well as the roof storage system you choose.

Roof rating
Every vehicle has a roof rating set by the manufacturer and it is important to know it for your vehicle. Remember that the roof rack rating is separate to the vehicle roof rating. For example, the combined rating for your racks or tray may be 250kg, but if your vehicle roof rating is less it's important to stick to the lower number.

You will also need to consider the weight of the tray in your calculations. For example, a heavy steel tray will impact the overall load rating and drastically reduce the amount of cargo you are able to carry.

Centre of gravity
Your vehicle's centre of gravity will be raised when adding a loaded roof rack, and this can increase vehicle sway and degrade off-road handling and performance. To minimise the disruption to the vehicle's handling, ensure the load is evenly distributed across both the length and width of the roof racks or tray.

When packing liquids such as fuel and water, the weight load will shift as the vehicle moves, so try to keep these items central to reduce undesirable lurching when cornering or braking.

Handy tips
>> For the points above create a weight list of all the items you plan to pack on your roof.
>> In off-road conditions, a safety weight reduction of 1.5 should be observed. For example, if you have a weight rating of 60kg you should aim for no more than 40kg (60kg/1.5 = 40kg).

Protection from the elements
Consider where you're travelling and the effects of dust and rain on whatever you plan to pack on the roof. Invest in a quality water-resistant roof-top bag to minimise the effects of weather on your items, but don't rely solely on the bag for weather protection. It's a good idea to pack items such as pillows and sleeping backs separately for extra protection.

Rubbish removal
Rooftop storage is also an ideal place to store your long-term outback rubbish. A sealed water-resistant bag with a drawstring is perfect to keep your rubbish and any nasty smells up and out of the way and safe from vermin.

Mind that height
Finally, remember the extra height you have added to your vehicle. While this may not present an obvious problem in the bush, you will need to check clearance when heading into underground carparks and multi-story carparks, under bridges and into your own garage.

ROLA offers a range of roof-top luggage solution, like its new TITAN tray system. For more information visit titantray.com.