Car Accessories and Gadgets

What Are Roof Rails Used For

Introduction

What Are Roof Rails Used For: Roof rails, those unassuming yet essential components of a vehicle’s design, have a remarkable range of uses and benefits that extend well beyond their basic appearance. These horizontal bars, affixed to the roof of cars, SUVs, and other vehicles, serve as versatile tools that significantly enhance a vehicle’s utility and adaptability. Roof rails, a seemingly unassuming feature on many vehicles, serve a remarkably versatile and practical purpose.

They are a secure and sturdy foundation for attaching various cargo-carrying systems and accessories, making them indispensable for transporting luggage, sports equipment, outdoor gear, or even commercial loads. By doing so, roof rails maximize interior space, ensuring a comfortable journey for passengers. These horizontal bars, securely affixed to the roof of cars, SUVs, and other vehicles, play a pivotal role in enhancing a vehicle’s utility and adaptability.

To their practicality, roof rails can significantly impact a vehicle’s aesthetics, allowing owners to personalize their vehicles according to their style preferences. Depending on the design, they can lend a rugged, adventurous appearance to SUVs or a sleek, sporty look to smaller cars. Roof rails contribute to safety, aerodynamics, and the overall driving experience, solidifying their importance in modern automotive design. 

What Are Roof Rails Used For

Do I need rails for a roof rack?

Will I need to fit roof rails? You won’t need to fit a set of roof rails to your vehicle, it wouldn’t be cost-effective, and there will be a set of roof bars that will work for your car.

Whether you need rails for a rack depends on your specific vehicle and the type of roof rack system you intend to use. Roof racks come in two primary categories:

With Rails: Some vehicles come equipped with factory-installed rails. In this case, you can attach roof racks directly to these rails. These roof racks are often designed to fit seamlessly with the existing rails, providing a convenient solution for expanding your vehicle’s cargo-carrying capacity.

Without Rails: If your vehicle doesn’t have factory-installed rails, you can still use a roof rack system specifically designed for vehicles without rails. These roof racks often use special mounting brackets or clamps to secure the rack to the roof of your car. They create a stable platform for carrying cargo, bikes, skis, or other items.

You need rails depending on your vehicle’s existing configuration and your choice of roof rack. It’s essential to check your vehicle’s specifications and explore compatible roof rack options. If your car lacks factory-installed rails and you require additional cargo-carrying capacity, there are rack systems available that can be installed securely and safely without the need for existing rails

What do you put on roof rails?

Once the roof rack is mounted on your car, you can use it for a wide range of cargo depending on your needs: roof boxes, bike racks, racks for kayaks, surfboards and SUP boards, and winter sport racks.

Roof Racks: The most common attachment, roof racks, are securely fastened to roof rails and provide a stable platform for carrying various items. They are adaptable and can hold luggage, sports equipment, outdoor gear, and more.

Cargo Carriers: Roof-mounted cargo carriers or cargo boxes are ideal for transporting luggage, camping gear, or bulky items that need protection from the elements. They attach to the roof racks, providing additional storage space.

Bike Racks: Roof-mounted bike racks are designed to transport bicycles securely. They can be attached to roof rails, allowing you to bring your bikes along for adventures.

Ski and Snowboard Racks: These specialized racks secure skis and snowboards, making them accessible and safe to transport to winter destinations.

Kayak and Canoe Mounts: Roof rails can support kayak and canoe mounts, enabling you to transport these watercraft for outdoor excursions.

Roof Boxes: Roof boxes are versatile storage containers that attach to roof racks. They’re excellent for transporting a wide range of items, from camping equipment to sporting gear.

Roof Awnings: Some adventurers use rails to attach awnings, creating shaded areas for camping or outdoor activities.

Lighting Systems: Roof rails can serve as mounting points for additional lighting systems, enhancing visibility during nighttime driving or off-roading.

Should I get roof rails on my car?

We highly recommend having a roof rack. They allow you to carry almost anything you don’t want or can’t fit inside your vehicle. It could be big things like boats or bikes or nasty things like wet camping gear or hockey equipment. Some vehicles come with factory installed rack systems, some don’t.

Cargo Needs: If you frequently need to transport items such as luggage, sports equipment, outdoor gear, or larger loads, roof rails can significantly expand your car’s cargo capacity, making them a practical addition.

Customization: Roof rails can enhance your vehicle’s appearance and style. They offer a degree of personalization, allowing you to choose a design that suits your taste, whether you prefer a rugged look for SUVs or a sportier appearance for smaller cars.

Attachment Options: Roof rails serve as secure attachment points for various accessories like roof racks, cargo carriers, bike mounts, and more. Consider whether you plan to use these attachments for your hobbies or activities.

Aerodynamics: Roof rails can potentially affect your car’s aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, especially during highway driving. If fuel economy is a top priority, evaluate the impact of rails on your specific vehicle.

Cost: Roof rails can be an additional expense, especially if your car doesn’t come with factory-installed rails. Consider your budget and whether the added functionality justifies the cost.

Maintenance: Roof rails may require periodic maintenance to prevent corrosion or damage. Factor in the time and effort needed to keep them in good condition.

What happens if your car doesn’t have roof rails?

If your car has nothing but a bare roof, then you have to choose between two mounting options. Either you go with a system with clips mounting into your door jams, or you can permanently mount a rack to the roof similar to the factory mount options.

Reduced Cargo Capacity: Without roof rails, you may have limited options for carrying extra cargo on the roof. This means you’ll have to rely on the interior space, trunk, or rear cargo area, which can be insufficient for larger or bulkier items.

Interior Space Constraints: The absence of roof rails can lead to a cramped interior, especially during family trips or vacations when you need to carry a significant amount of luggage or gear.

Cargo Safety: Transporting items inside the vehicle can pose safety risks, as they may not be as securely fastened as they would be on a roof rack attached to roof rails. Sudden stops or turns can cause cargo to shift or become a hazard.

Aerodynamic Impact: Carrying cargo inside the vehicle can disrupt the car’s aerodynamics, potentially affecting handling and fuel efficiency, especially during highway driving.

Limited Attachment Points: Without roof rails, you may have limited options for attaching specialized accessories like bike racks, kayak mounts, or cargo carriers.

Do all cars have roof rails?

Some manufacturers may offer these rails standard, while others provide them as an option instead. If your car doesn’t have any, they can be installed separately. Broadly speaking, roof rails typically come in two configurations: Flush: These rails sit flush with the surface of the car’s roof.

Vehicle Type: Larger vehicles like SUVs, crossovers, and some larger sedans often come with factory-installed roof rails because they are commonly used for carrying cargo and equipment.

Trim Levels: Within a specific model, higher trim levels or more premium versions of the car may include roof rails as part of their additional features.

Customization Options: Some car manufacturers offer rails as optional add-ons, allowing buyers to customize their vehicles based on their needs and preferences.

Aftermarket Installation: For cars without factory-installed roof rails, it is possible to have them installed aftermarket by authorized dealers or professional installers.

Smaller Cars: Smaller cars, such as compact sedans and hatchbacks, are less likely to have roof rails because they prioritize aerodynamics and fuel efficiency over cargo capacity.

What are roof rails called?

Roof racks and roof bars are like car roof rails in that they both allow you to transport goods on the roof of your car. While they offer a similar function, they also feature many differences.

Roof Racks: This term emphasizes the functional aspect of the rails as load-bearing structures for transporting cargo. Roof racks are the attachments that sit atop the roof rails, providing a platform for carrying various items.

Roof Bars: Similar to racks, roof bars highlight the load-bearing role of the rails. Roof bars can be used to attach roof-mounted cargo carriers, bikes, kayaks, or other accessories.

Crossbars: Crossbars are the horizontal bars that run perpendicular to the roof rails and are used to create a framework for securing cargo or accessories. They are often mentioned in conjunction with roof rails or roof racks.

Luggage Rails: Some manufacturers or regions may use the term “luggage rails” to describe roof rails, emphasizing their utility for carrying luggage and cargo.

Cargo Rails: Similar to luggage rails, this term underscores the role of rails in transporting cargo securely.

Do all SUVS have roof rails?

Most SUV’s roof racks are optional. Some have the side risers without cross bars as the base model, this isn’t a roof rack.

Vehicle Type: While many SUVs have roof rails, it’s not a universal feature. Some smaller SUVs or crossover models may not include roof rails to prioritize aerodynamics and a sleek design.

Trim Levels: Within a specific SUV model, higher trim levels or more premium versions are more likely to include roof rails as part of their additional features. Lower trim levels may not have them.

Optional Add-Ons: Some manufacturers offer roof rails as optional add-ons, allowing buyers to customize their SUV based on their needs and preferences. This means you might have the choice to add roof rails during the purchasing process.

Aftermarket Options: If your SUV doesn’t come with factory-installed roof rails, you can explore aftermarket solutions. Roof racks and roof rail kits are available for many SUV models, providing a way to add this feature.

Why are roof racks so expensive?

Another reason why roof racks are so expensive is that they need to be aerodynamic. Since the racks stick out from the car, they can create drag and wind resistance, which reduces fuel efficiency. What makes the difference between a cheap roof rack and an expensive roof rack is how streamlined the design is.

Roof racks can appear expensive for several reasons, including their design, materials, manufacturing processes, and the quality and durability required for reliable performance. Here’s why roof racks often come with a higher price tag:

Materials and Construction: Roof racks are typically constructed from high-quality materials like aluminum or stainless steel to ensure strength and durability. These materials resist corrosion and maintain their structural integrity under various weather conditions.

Design and Engineering: Roof racks are meticulously engineered to withstand the dynamic forces experienced during driving, including wind resistance and vibrations. They are designed to ensure the safety of both your cargo and the vehicle itself.

Customization: Many roof racks are designed to be vehicle-specific, taking into account the unique dimensions and attachment points of each car model. This level of customization adds to the cost.

Quality Control: Reputable roof rack manufacturers implement rigorous quality control processes to ensure their products meet safety and performance standards. This commitment to quality adds to production costs.

Accessories and Features: Roof racks often come with various accessories and features, such as locking mechanisms, adjustable crossbars, and compatibility with specialized attachments (e.g., bike mounts, cargo boxes). These features contribute to the overall cost.

Brand Reputation: Established brands known for their quality and reliability tend to price their roof racks higher to reflect their reputation and customer trust.

What Are Roof Rails Used For

Conclusion

Roof rails, with their multifaceted utility and versatility, continue to be essential and highly relevant features in modern vehicles. Their impact spans across various aspects of automotive design and usage, making them a focal point for both manufacturers and consumers.

Practically, car roof rails provide a solution for carrying extra cargo, from sports equipment to camping gear and everything in between. They ensure that your journey remains comfortable and your vehicle spacious. Rails are versatile and indispensable automotive components that serve multiple functions. 

Aesthetically, roof rails allow for personalization, letting drivers imbue their vehicles with a distinct style, whether it’s a rugged, adventurous look for SUVs or a sportier appearance for smaller cars. In the ever-evolving automotive landscape, roof rails stand as a testament to the fusion of form and function.

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