Do you need to move a large item and don’t want the hassle of renting a truck or paying for delivery? Then pack it in your rooftop cargo carrier! This guide will show you how to pack a rooftop cargo carrier.
The rooftop cargo carrier is an essential tool for any vehicle owner that transports heavy or bulky items. Whether you need a new roof rack, are in the market to purchase a new car, or just want to make sure your current one is up-to-date with all its parts, it’s important to know how to properly pack everything on top of your vehicle.
There are many different types of carriers and racks available today, so this guide will focus more on general instructions rather than specific models.
Keep In Mind Before Pack up Your cargo Carrier
Before we start packing anything onto our rooftop carrier, there are a few things we should do first:
- Make sure that the entire surface area of the roof rack is clean and free from dirt or other debris before attaching anything to it. This will help to ensure that the roof rack doesn’t get scratched or damaged in any way before we can put anything on top of it.
If you’re using a cargo carrier, make sure there are no holes and that all parts fit properly together. A lot of people overlook this step because they assume their car is clean so there’s no need to clean the roof rack, but that is not true.
If you are using a cargo cover, make sure the cargo carrier can still open up fully so you have access to all of its contents at any given time.
Guide: How To Attach Cargo Carrier To Roof Rack On Your Car
Check the weight and height capacity of your rooftop cargo carrier
Some car models has weight limit up to 350 lbs. Others can hold up to 700 lbs. Some roof racks will work for cars that have short rooftops, but not for vans because the roof rack does not go high enough off the ground.
If you’re using an SUV-sized cargo carrier and it’s able to open fully without hitting your car’s window, then you can still safely use it without any trouble.
If you are not sure how much weight/height capacity your car has, then measure the height of your cargo carrier and compare it to the height of your car. Then if you know what is available for transport, there will be no surprises. Then you will know how big a load you can take.
Load heavier items on the bottom, lighter items on top to help balance out the load
Load heavier items on the bottom, lighter items on top to help balance out the load.
Place your heaviest gear like car fire extinguisher in front of you for safe driving.
You can also pack clothes or other lightweight things in between bulky objects and keep them from shifting around too much while you’re moving.
If there is a lot of extra space at the top of the carrier, then place a weighty object there to help balance out your load.
Pack clothes in a suitcase or bag that has handles
Pack clothes in a bag that has handles. This will make it easier to carry your clothes up and down the stairs.
It also helps to pack the heaviest items on your person, such as shoes, jackets, pants, etc.
If you have no other choice but to put these heavy things on top of your cargo carrier then try using a backpack or a large duffle bag.
Lastly before loading up and heading out, check your carrier for any loose items.
Label all of your bags with a sharpie
Label all of your bags with a sharpie, so you know what room they go in when you get home.
It also helps to label all of your bags with a sharpie, so you know what room they go in when you get home.
This will make unpacking much easier and help reduce the chance that you forget something!
When packing for a trip it is important not only to pack clothes but toiletries as well. Try putting all of your toiletries in a clear plastic bag and labeling it with a sharpie.
Roll clothes tightly before packing them into suitcases/bags
Roll clothes tightly before packing them into suitcases or bags.
Fold sweaters, shirts and pants lengthwise to fit more in your suitcase or bag.
This is easy for most people but if you’re not sure how check out the link below!
The best way to pack when traveling internationally is with a backpack as it is the most open to customs.
While packing it’s also important to check what is needed for your destination country and pack accordingly!
If you are unsure of any laws or plans, research them beforehand so that whatever happens on your trip may be easier if not more enjoyable!
Use garment bags for delicate clothing pieces
When packing for a trip, try putting all of your toiletries in a ziplock freezer bag or other type of sealable plastic container that is labeled clearly so you know what’s inside.
Most importantly, don’t forget to pack your prescriptions!
Place these in one of the first compartments of your suitcase so that you’ll be able to easily grab them when needed.
If this is not possible, make sure you leave enough space for it at the top of the bag or if packing a backpack ensure there’s enough room in the front pocket.
Electronics And Liquid Storage
Keep all of your electronics together and place them in a hard case, such as an Otter Box or Lifeproof (depending on device) to protect against damage from liquids.
All items that are liquid-based should be packed into one bag so they can easily be found without opening every compartment.
Place these items in a resealable bag or wrap them tightly.
Label the item with everything you need to know, such as how much liquid is inside and whether it contains any medication that needs refrigeration.
Other Items To Consider Packing Include:
- Pillows And Blankets
- Noise Canceling Headphones Or Earplugs
- Laptop Or Tablet
- Chargers And Cables
- Sturdy Shoes For Exiting The Carrier After A Long Journey.
- During travel , the cargo carrier should be secured with a strap to ensure that it does not move around.
Pack the carrier with weight in the center
- Place heavy items in the center of the rooftop cargo carrier. Fill up all available space evenly with weight so that it does not tilt to one side or another.
- If there are multiple rows, place heavier objects on bottom row and lighter objects on top row.
- Avoid packing sharp objects together as they could puncture through other items.
- Place liquids in bottles or sealable containers, not the original packaging.
- Use a tarp to cover open spaces to avoid items shifting.
- This may not be a problem for shorter trips, but if the cargo will remain in the carrier for an extended period of time, you should use protective materials like bubble wrap or blankets to protect it from dust and scratches that could happen with exposure during transit.
The most important thing to remember when packing a rooftop cargo carrier is weight distribution evenly so that it does not tilt towards one side or another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Put In My Cargo Carrier?
Items that are not considered dangerous goods should go in your baggage.
You can put all kinds of tools in your cargo carrier such as hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, saws, screwdrivers, spanners, clocks, vices, etc.
Can You Put Suitcases In Roof Box?
Items like sports equipment, tents or bikes are good items for the roof box as they need plenty of space and will be strapped down securely with straps that come with the container.
What Happens If You Put Too Much Weight In A Car?
To avoid a car accident, you should only put as much weight in your rooftop cargo carrier as it is able to handle.
If this happens on a regular basis, you may want to consider putting items like suitcases or smaller boxes down below in the backseat of your vehicle instead.
The roof box itself will only be able to take up a certain amount of weight.
You can get best rooftop cargo carrier based on your requirements.
Final Thoughts
Follow the guidelines to safely and efficiently pack your rooftop cargo carrier. To avoid any delays or damage, we recommend that you always follow these guidelines when loading a car roof rack with luggage.
First, make sure everything is secure by using bungee cords to tie down items like bikes or kayaks so they don’t bounce around on the highway.
Next, check if anything protrudes above the top of the vehicle for other drivers’ safety- this could be antennas from radios, bicycles without racks attached, etcetera.
And last but not least (and most importantly), never exceed more than 100 pounds per square foot load capacity! If you do have too much weight stacked up in one area it may cause serious problems such as popping out.
If it is a large box, you will need to cover it with plastic sheeting, which will protect the items inside from getting wet in the rain. You need to pad the parts of the carrier that will be supporting the load, with tarpaulins or cardboard.