Roof Baskets For Adventure Travel: Exploring The World On Four Wheels
Have you ever run out of space for camping or overlanding gear? What if you could almost quadruple your vehicle’s cargo capacity and free up interior space? Roof baskets are your storage solution when traveling.
Roof baskets, often called rooftop load carriers, are enclosed chambers that affix to your rig’s roof racks or crossbars. Their secure, waterproof storage holds all your gear and adventure essentials. An excellent roof basket can carry 10-20 cubic feet of camping gear, tools, backup gasoline, and provisions for multi-day wilderness trips.
They maintain weight high and centered, improving handling on rough terrain. This article will cover selecting, installing, and utilizing a roof basket to enhance your next off-road trip.
Table of Contents
Roof Racks: A Sturdy Foundation For Your Cargo
Many roof rack styles are available for different vehicles and needs. Crossbar racks are simple but versatile roof-mounted accessory racks. They service most cars. Raised or flush rail roof racks are level with the vehicle roofline for wind protection and security. These styles have less ground clearance, so choose based on your vehicle and travel plans.
Bolted or other attachments secure fixed-point roof racks to your vehicle’s roof. They provide a stable mounting platform but are more permanent. You can trust gear and accessories to stay put on any road. Some roof racks have lockable covers to prevent theft when left unattended. Your vehicle and budget determine your roof rack style. Any roof rack system adds adventure storage.
Roof Baskets: Maximize Your Mobility
Adventure travelers will benefit from cargo baskets’ large storage space. These baskets can hold over 100 pounds of gear and equipment, giving you plenty of space. Most roof baskets have crossbars for easy loading and unloading. Put your gear on the bars and secure it.
Heavy items should be packed low and centered in a cargo basket over the roof. This packaging evenly distributes weight. Place lighter items higher. Proper weight distribution improves driving stability. Weatherproof aluminum or other materials make cargo baskets. This cover keeps your gear dry and protected from rain, sun, and other elements wherever you travel.
Unlike enclosed roof boxes, the open basket design exposes some of your belongings to the elements. Cargo baskets’ easy gear access usually outweighs this drawback. Cargo baskets are suitable for most adventure travel if valuable or fragile items are wrapped or packed.
Bike Racks: Pedal Your Possibilities
A bike rack simplifies transporting bikes, whether driving or renting them. Hitch-mounted racks make loading multiple bikes easy without lifting them. This hack eases strain, especially on full sized bikes. With wheel cradles and a rear support arm or frame, most hitch racks can secure two or more bikes. Wheel the bike up and clamp it.
Hitch racks save roof space. SUVs and other taller vehicles benefit from roof-mounted bike racks. They carry bikes without blocking rear visibility. Bike roof racks use a rear-facing arm to stabilize the bike by its rear wheel and top tube. Clamps or straps secure the front wheel and down tube.
Ensure your bike rack can hold the number and weight of bikes you’re transporting. Traveling with wheels is safe and easy with the right track.
What To Look For When Buying a Roof Basket
Before shopping, you’ll want to measure your vehicle’s roof rails or crossbars to find the ideal size basket for your specific make and model. Getting one that fits properly without overhanging too much is key. It would be best to consider how much gear you need to carry to get a basket with adequate capacity. Going too big can hurt aerodynamics and gas mileage.
Look for heavy-duty steel or aluminum construction, which will feel sturdy and secure when installed. Some roof baskets use plastic shells, and others use canvas covers – both materials offer ample protection from the elements. Canvas may hold up better over many years. Either option will get the job done.
A wind fairing is a raised lip along the front of the basket that can significantly reduce wind sound and drag when driving at higher speeds. This small detail makes a big difference, so choose a basket with an aerodynamic wind fairing.
Helpful Roof Basket Accessories
Interior organizer bags or rigid panels will keep your gear from chaotically sliding around; hence, your cargo stays neatly stowed and in place. Wind fairings are also important, and in cases where your basket doesn’t include a wind fairing, an aftermarket wind fairing clip-on for a quick upgrade to reduce wind noise.
Get a lockable lid or secure your basket to the roof rack with a lock and cable for extra anti-theft protection when you park. Increase your usable space with cargo nets that stretch over the sides or height extenders that raise the walls several inches. More room for your adventure gear!
A folding ladder simplifies accessing your roof basket for loading, unloading, and securing cargo. No more climbing on tires for you! Illuminate the basket interior at night with LED light bars for easy visibility anytime. LEDs offer you bright, energy-efficient lighting.
Roof tents turn your basket into an instant platform for mounting a hard-shell rooftop tent, which is awesome for multi-day camping trips. Charge your devices and auxiliary batteries with solar panels mounted to your roof basket for free energy from the sun.
Conclusion
A roof basket is a great investment for the adventure seeker looking to maximize storage and organization on their 4×4. With the extra capacity to haul all the needed gear, you can tackle any overland excursion while keeping the vehicle interior clutter-free.
Follow the tips for safe installation, loading, and driving practices. Maintain your roof basket properly, and it will provide cargo utility and peace of mind for countless amazing trips in the years ahead. Your journey awaits – get out there and make it epic!
