Roof rails and roof racks are a great way to make your vehicle more practical.

Do you want to expand the cargo capacity of your vehicle? If you travel with a lot of luggage, a car roof carrier becomes a must in case the trunk is not enough, roof rails and roof racks are almost essential aftermarket parts for your vehicle. Or perhaps you often go camping or carry outdoor sporting gear with you, roof rack can also fulfill your needs in many ways.

When you need to enlarge the loading capacity of all of your equipment, purchase roof rails and there are a lot of things to consider when purchasing roof railings and roof racks. For starters, the type of accessory you can use will be subject to the conditions of your vehicle. Some cars will come directly from the factory with roof rails installed by the automaker, but some vehicles do not fit any roof rails at all. If your vehicle isn't equipped with roof rails, there are a number of aftermarket roof options to choose from that work just as well as factory-installed units. A good general rule is to look at the roof of your vehicle and see if there are two rubber or plastic strips. If there are, that means you can likely install roof rails on your vehicle.

When it comes to installing the roof accessory, it will depend on whether you're opting for roof rails or a roof rack. For either product, the install can be done at home, but generally installing roof rails will require power tools, while most roof racks do not. If you're not familiar with using power tools, it's highly recommended to seek professional help with installing aftermarket roof rails.

In this article, we will introduce everything you need to know about roof rails and roof racks.

Chapters

1.What are the benefits of using roof rails?(Chapters 1)

2.What are the benefits of using roof racks?(Chapters 2)

3.7 common use types of roof rails and roof racks

What are the benefits of using roof rails?

Whenever we talk about a car, seldom would have us been heard spoken about the roof rails in cars, which though not present in all models, are quite useful if looked at carefully. Roof rails serve as a base for your roof rack installation and can assist in carrying various cargo or sporting equipment. Here are other benefits of mounted roof rails:

1.Fit for many types of cars, like sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and vans

2.Help carry sports equipment such as skis, skis, bicycles, kayaks, and so on

3.Serves as a base for any roof frame or roof box

4.Also serve as the basis for aluminum or steel beams

5.Strong for that they are fastened with screws to the roof of a car

6.Hard to steal

As we mentioned before, some vehicles will come equipped with standard roof rails from the factory. You'll often find them on utility vehicles and wagons, but some cars may come installed without roof rails. For vehicles that don't have roof rails as standard or an option, you'll have to look at aftermarket options.

What are the benefits of using roof racks?(Chapters 2)

As for roof racks, they are mounted on top of roof rails or on top of cross bars, serving as a mounting point for gear such as bikes or skis. Roof racks are often the first option for those who do not have enough space to carry sports equipment inside their car. Here are some other benefits of roof racks:

1.Enlarge the possibility for cargo transportation with the ability to add cargo boxes

2.Suitable for transporting large outdoor equipment such as bikes and skis

3.Unlike hitch-mounted racks, roof racks offer easy access to the trunk

4.Provides summer and winter outdoor equipment transportation

5.Able to lock sporting equipment to the rack to prevent theft

6.Can easily be removed and placed in storage when not being used

7 common use types of roof rails and roof racks

We'll take a look at 7 common roof rails and roof racks and how they can benefit you. We will also help you answer whether your vehicle needs a roof rail and roof rack and other related questions.

Roof Rails

If your car roof is naked, take a look at roof rails if you' re looking for a way to add a roof rack to your car. The roof rails are able to accommodate different types of roof racks and feature a  maximum load capacity with a raised design. It will work with multiple crossbars as well.

Often manufactured with aluminum and a powder coat finish, the rails are available in 48”, 58”, or 68” options and are deal for SUVs and minivans. When it comes to durability, the roof rails are also one of the best solutions.

Complete Roof Rack System

If you're looking for a roof rack without roof rails to install, the complete roof rack system is one of the better options. The rack can be mounted directly on the position marks above the doors, as indicated by the automaker. The universal roof rack system fits most cars while handling heavy weights. Best of all, it features a user-friendly design that makes it easy to install with no tools necessary.

The roof rack system is fully adaptable. It can work with a variety of racks and holders, including box-style designs to specialized bike racks, ski, and snowboards racks, or even kayak racks. Some complete roof rack system comes with some modern features such as a no-tool installation process, the ability to lock it to the roof of your car, as well as compatibility with most modern cars.

Roof Rack Cross Bar

If you're looking for a product that balances aerodynamics with durability, take a look at the roof rack cross bar. It can also be used on vehicles with or without existing roof rails. They can be easily mounted and unmounted when not needed and feature an adjustable clamp system. Some cross bars also come with a built-in lock system to prevent them from being stolen, making it one of the most up-to-date anti-theft solutions. We have universal cross bars that are ideal for protection and affordability and are also one of the few products that include added rubber strips that run along the length of the rack, protecting your cargo.

Cargo Box

Cargo Box, which provides plenty of extra storage for your vehicle. It's compatible with numerous types of mounts or roof rails and has a side-opening lid that will allow you to stuff all sorts of extra cargo into it. It's a practical option for vehicle owners who want to expand cargo capacity by using a roof rack, rather than a hitch mounted to the rear of the car.

Some Cargo Boxes have a versatile lockdown system and the rack can work well with all types of bars, such as round or square crossbars. Overall, it offers extra storage, making it ideal for smaller cars as well, such as sedans.

Car Roof Top Carrier

If you're in need of a compact solution to expand cargo space, take a look at the car roof top carrier. Offering good practicality and durability, this is also one of the most affordable options in its class. Featuring a waterproof design, the roof top carrier is easy to install, with straps that attach to the roof rails. It uses attachment straps and long straps—that go on top for extra security—making it a safe and easy solution for many vehicles. No tools are needed to mount it to your vehicle. If you are carrying fragile objects, however, keep in mind this carrier does not have a hardtop cover.

Water Sports Car Top Mount

If you're looking for a fast and secure way to mount your water sports gear, water sports car top mount is it. The car top mount can accommodate multiple types of gear including kayaks, canoes, wind boards, paddle boards, or long boards. Some racks water sports rack is designed to be a universal fit item and they work well with round, square, or factory roof rails. If you needed, you can also choose the one features a unique locking system.

Paddle Board Carrier

Paddle Board Carrier is more of a specialized roof rack, designed specifically for stand up paddle (SUP) boards. It can accommodate two boards with the ability to mount on different rails or cross bars. It can also mount in minutes thanks to the same tool-free installation process used across roof racks. This particular rack also comes with rubber-padded arms to protect the boards and if you want to leave them on the rack, you can keep them locked and secured through the SKS system.