How to Properly Load Your Roof Rack for Safety

The platforms are particularly suitable for transporting bulky and spiky items that may restrict passengers’ comfort or cause unintentional damage to the car’s interior. However, to unlock the benefits of a roof rack, proper loading is paramount. We’ve taken the liberty of putting together some critical tips when loading your Volkswagen Transporter (T) 5 roof rack for a thrilling road adventure.

1.  Mount the Roof Rack Properly

The roof rack market teems with products tailored for different vehicle models. A bit of research is all you need to hone in on the perfect rack for your Volkswagen T5.

After getting your T5 an excellent roof rack, the next step is to install the platform on top of the car. Mounting a roof rack should be a no-brainer if the product comes with detailed instructions. If not, install the rack parallel to your T5’s sides and at a reasonable distance from the vehicle’s front and rear ends.

In case your T5 lacks predetermined mounting points, install the rack on the flattest point on the car’s roof. For crossbar roofs, ensure you also place the bars at equal positions from each other.

2.  Find the Relevant Accessories

Modern roof racks aren’t only customized after vehicle models. Their efficiency also depends on the type of travel gear you intend to carry.

Note that different road trip items are best transported on/in specific accessories. Therefore, it’s important to assemble the relevant roof rack accessories before starting the loading process.

You can pick from the following options, depending on the nature of your road trip;

Cargo boxes – For cushioning items from the elements.

Roof baskets – For transporting luggage and everyday travel items like clothing. Bike carriers – For securing bikes.

Kayak carriers – For securing kayaks and canoes.

Ski/snowboard racks – Ideal if your itinerary includes hitting the slopes.

Note that these are luggage-holding accessories. They’re exclusive of load-securing mechanisms, which we’ll address shortly.

3.  Know Your Vehicle and Roof Rack’s Weight Capacity

We cannot overemphasize the significance of understanding the weight limits of your vehicle and roof rack before loading the platform.

A very heavy load can trigger a slew of problems, including poor fuel economy, more aerodynamic drag, and reduced overall stability. Excess luggage could also impede access through restricted roadways, such as bridges and tunnels. Besides, overloading is a traffic offense in numerous jurisdictions.

4.  Tactically Place Your Luggage

There are two principal rules when placing luggage on a roof rack.

First, center the items in the middle of the platform. This helps to bolster the vehicle’s stability, especially during bumpy rides.

Second, start from the front of the rack and work your way back. Extend as far back as possible to prevent the luggage from hanging over your T5’s windshield, which could increase aerodynamic drag and block your front view.

5.  Spread the Items Uniformly

One of the key benefits of roof racks is their ability to support uniform load distribution.

Unlike the cabin or trunk, where travel items are typically placed towards a vehicle’s back, a roof rack lets you spread the luggage over a wider area. This enhances the car’s stability by preventing oversteering.

However, note that you’ll have to distribute the weight yourself. Spread the items as far apart as possible, using your T5’s center line and doors for reference.

6.  Layer Properly

Layering your road trip essentials properly on a roof rack not only helps to keep them firmly in place. It’s also a smart way to improve the rack’s safety and stability.

Contrary to what many road trippers may think, lighter gear should be placed on the bottom and heavier items on top. The idea is to prevent the lighter pieces from flying off during high-speed drives.

Obviously, this logic only applies to non-fragile items like clothing and camping tents.

7.  Beware Of Height and Length Limits

There are no federal vehicle height limits in the United States. However, each state imposes specific regulations on how tall your car should be, which ranges from 13.6 to 15 feet, depending on your state.

While it’s unlikely that your Volkswagen T5 will exceed these height limits, the type of roof rack you install on the vehicle and how you position the travel essentials might.

Besides going for a low-profile roof rack, orient taller items like bicycles horizontally. That way, you can comply with any height limit regulations while enhancing your access through low-hanging bridges, tunnels, and garages.

In the same breath, beware of overhanging items.

As already hinted, no roof rack gear should extend past the windshield. Place such items as far back as possible while maintaining your vehicle’s balance.

8.  Secure Everything Tightly and Test

Roof racks come with numerous securing mechanisms. Again, the best options depend on the items you intend to transport on the rack.

Ropes are preferable due to their versatility. They’re also easier to tie into different knots and maneuver around tighter anchors.

Alternatively, you could opt for bungee cords. These cords are particularly effective when securing multiple items together, strapping down tarps, or preventing mobile components like bicycle wheels from spinning.

Ratchet or cam straps are another common securing mechanism you may consider. The straps stand out for their solid construction, making them almost impossible to slip or loosen with vibrations. They’re also a welcome relief for road trippers who missed knotting games in childhood.

NB: All three options have specific instructions for use.

After tying down your luggage on a roof rack, secure the items further by covering the entire load with a tarp or netting.

Finally, test your load by pushing or pulling it to ensure everything is properly secured. If you’re going on a long drive, it’s best to also test your roof rack load at reasonable intervals.

Summary

Following the above pointers can help load your Volkswagen T5 roof rack for maximum vehicle safety and stability. Since each roof rack is unique, it’s prudent to choose a platform tailored to your T5’s roof design.

Remember to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid common roof rack loading mistakes. That’s the only way to prevent costly vehicle damage or grievous accidents, which can severely ruin your road adventure even in winter.