A rack system is a way to add extra storage on top of your vehicle. It allows you to carry things like bikes or luggage without taking up space inside the car.
Roof racks are attachments that go on the top of your car to help you carry extra stuff like bikes or luggage. They make it easier to transport things without crowding the inside of your vehicle.
A wind fairing is a piece that you can attach to the roof bars of your car to help cut down on noise from the wind when you're driving. It makes carrying things on top of your car quieter and more efficient.
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Welcome back to Built for Weekends, the podcast for people who work all week and live for
the weekends.
I'm your host Mark and I thank you for joining me for this episode.
If you've ever looked at your truck, SUV or crossover and thought, man this thing could
do more, well today's episode is for you because one of the single biggest upgrades you can
make without touching suspension, tires or horsepower is a rack system.
I've worked in this specific industry for years and years and I've seen the good, the
bad and the ugly.
For now I'll talk about my personal experiences with roof racks, breaking down what roof
racks actually do, how they change the way your vehicle works and how to choose the right
setup without wasting money.
Let's get into it.
What a rack really does.
At the most basic level, a roof rack system gives you more usable space but it's not
about carrying more stuff, it's about freeing up your interior.
Think about it, bikes, skis and snowboards, camping gear, kayaks, fishing gear, recovery
gear, without some sort of roof rack, all of this ends up in your back seats, blocking
your revisibility or packed on top of your passengers.
A roof rack moves the bulky gear outside which instantly makes road trips more comfortable
and organized.
Having a cargo box or a bike rack or a ski and snowboard rack or even a rooftop tent,
more functionality makes it more easy to get outside.
Second point of how a roof rack changes how you use your vehicle is where things get interesting.
Once you install a roof rack, your vehicle stops being just transportation and starts
becoming a tool.
Suddenly, weekends are easier, you don't have to choose between people or gear, you can
say yes to more spontaneous plans.
Want to hit the mountains after work, roof rack already loaded, camping last minute,
tent already mounted, camping bins ready to grab and go, that's the real upgrade, less
friction between ideas and action.
Roof racks will also change how your vehicle looks and feels, let's be honest, roof racks
change the vibe, even a stock truck car or SUV instantly looks more capable, more intentional
and more adventure ready, but it's not just looks, there's a mental shift when you build
your vehicle around what you do and not what looks cool, a roof rack says this thing is
built to be used.
Now you don't need the biggest or most expensive setup right away, these are the main options
for roof racks, simplified.
The starting point will be crossbars, it's an affordable entry point for all, great
for carrying all accessories like bike racks, ski racks and cargo boxes, and perfect for
beginners.
Crossbars are going to be any pair of bars on the roof of your vehicle that allow you
to carry most accessories on the market, they come in a variety of materials and some are
more simple than others for what can be attached to them.
Starting point for crossbars is steel bars, these give you a base for mounting things
like cargo boxes and bike racks, the steel crossbar can sometimes cause some wind noise
when it's loaded with gear, this can be remedied though with a wind fairing or simply removing
the rack when not in use.
The next step is an aluminum crossbar and this aerodynamic setup can handle a host of accessories
that will either mount with a wrap around clamp or T bolts allowing you to mount more
on the crossbar.
Some brands have the option of wider crossbars too to carry even more like a cargo basket
next to a couple of bikes or boats.
And finally the last type of crossbars are heavy duty bars, these are designed to carry
more weight if your vehicle can handle it, these are great if you want to mount a cargo
box next to a canoe or a roof tent and an awning.
Another option for racks is a platform rack, this is a flat modular system carrying multiple
items at once, they are better for overlanding camping and mixed gear with a whole host of
accessories for attaching and tying down, there's so many different kinds of platforms
for all different types of vehicles, some have quick release systems that can mount
to an SUV, others are permanently mounted into factory locations on the roof or permanently
drilled and screwed into the roof.
These platform systems have the most modular options to carry close to anything you need.
From tie downs for bulky gear, custom mounts for solar panels, a starlink or almost any
gear you can think of, there is a way to mount it on a platform.
Now for trucks, the bed racks will keep the bed usable, perfect for carrying rooftop tents,
recovery gear, bikes and boats and it's a great balance of utility and space.
Bed racks on trucks will have a higher weight capacity than all of the rack systems, they
can mount to the side rails of a truck or into a tunnel cover with tracks, they come in a
multitude of heights, some are even adjustable to get that set up to the clearance you want,
maybe to park in your garage or in the park at work.
The bed racks will all use a heavy duty crossbar for all your gear needs, some have side rails
or molly panels to carry fuel, water, recovery boards and so much more.
Start planning your rack with what you actually need, not what Instagram tells you to need.
There are many people in the automotive industry like myself that have professional experience
with getting you the best setup for your needs and to be able to build as you go.
Now some common roof rack mistakes to avoid, we're going to save you some time and money
here, buying too big too fast, mounting gear to the racks you don't actually use, ignoring
weight limits for the vehicle you're using and forgetting about wind noise and clearance
for your garage or even your favorite drive through.
Your first rack doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to work for your weekends, build
it up in phases and you can't go wrong.
And some final thoughts on the rack system is it doesn't just carry gear, it's going
to expand what your vehicle can do, it's going to reduce stress on your trips and makes it
way easier to adventure to just say yes and that's what Build for Weekends is all about,
removing the excuses and getting outside more often.
So if you're on the fence about a roof rack system, start small, once you have one, you'll
wonder how you ever lived without it.
If you found this episode helpful, make sure to follow or subscribe to the podcast.
And if you've got questions about roof racks or want help choosing the right setup, send
me a message, email or leave a comment.
I've been helping people set up their rides with the best rack system for the last few
decades.
So until next time, build it smart, use it often and make the most of your weekends.
See you next time.
About this episode
Exploring the transformative impact of roof racks, this episode delves into how they enhance vehicle functionality and adventure potential. Host Mark shares personal experiences and practical advice on selecting the right rack system, emphasizing the importance of freeing up interior space for a more organized travel experience. Listeners learn about various types of roof racks, including crossbars and platform racks, and common mistakes to avoid. The discussion highlights how a roof rack can shift your vehicle's purpose from mere transportation to a versatile tool for spontaneous weekend adventures.
If you’ve ever looked at your vehicle and thought, “This thing could do more,” this episode is for you.
In Episode 4 of Built for Weekends, we break down how a simple roof rack can completely change the way you use your truck, SUV, or crossover. From crossbars to platform racks and bed racks, we cover what they actually do, how to choose the right setup, and the common mistakes that waste money.
You don’t need the biggest build. You just need a setup that works.
Build it smart. Use it often. Make the most of your weekends.
