FAQ
How fast I can drive with the load (roof box, bicycles) on the top of my car?
In general, it is important to be careful like in any other road behavior. The speed is not that dangerous lie the forces that are caused by accelerating, sudden braking and bends. Also be aware of the blows of the side wind. Even in Germany, were the speed limits are not so strict, the speed limit for the vehicles with loads on the top is 130 km/h. Therefore one shall remember, that driving with the loads should slower and more fluent than without the load.
Is it true, that the driving only with roof bars causes the highest noise?
Yes, driving with any load on the top of the car, may be little bit noisy, and it depends on the type of the car and the kind roof rack. Just be aware the highest noise occurs when only the roof bars are used, and it will drop when the accessories are mounted. For your comfort and the fuel consumption remove the bars and accessories when you do not need them.
What is a maximum load that I can put on the roof rack?
When choosing a roof rack, often the question of the maximum load is asked. But the maximum load more determined by the limits of the roof of the vehicle (check it in the instruction). Please, keep in mind not to excess the maximum weight that is indicated in the instruction of your car. It is very important to keep the load below maximum roof load! Remember the the weight you put on the car is the weight of the roof bars, accessories and load itself.
For how many cars I can fit the roof rack I have?
Some references of roof bars may fit for few vehicles. Some roof racks (Supra, Thule, Silver line) allow to change only the foot while changing the car. Nevertheless there is no universal roof bars that fit all the cars. Even the roof bars for the cars with railing are not universal, due to different railing profiles. The most important criteria that one should take under consideration while choosing the bars, is the fact, if the roof rack fits well, and will be safe and reliable product.
Tip: By expanding your car with the roof box, you make the vehicle higher by 60 cm! Do not forget about it while driving into garage or underground parking places.
What size of box should I choose?
When choosing the box, one should keep in mind the load or equipment that the box is for. If you need it to carry the skis, you must choose the box little bit longer than the longest pair of skis. If you need the box to carry the luggage, you may pick shorter but wider one. The only limit that you must bear in mind, if when you have third of fifth door in your car. Too long box will cause problems with access to the boot.
How to load the box correctly?
When loading the roof box make sure that the weight should be evenly distributed. The heaviest contest place in the center of the roof box. Use the straps, that are available in most of the roof boxes, to secure the luggage or skis, so they do not slide around while driving. Also keep in mind that the lid of the roof box should be easy to close. Contents with sharp edges should be covered to protect other item and the roof box itself. Remember that heavier items should be put in the boot of the car, since the higher center of gravity is not good for the
What does it mean that the box may be attached to the bars with the T-slot?
The traditional way of fixing the accessories and roof boxes to the roof rack is so called u-bolt. Aluminium bars allow to attach accessories with the T-slot, that is put in to the profile of bar and in to accessory. This type of attachment is more esthetic, and antitheft. The roof box that has an option of this kind of fitting is Carver box. The important advantage of this attachment is that it is the less space consuming solution which allows to maximize the usa of volume of roof box.
The frame in my bicycle has a unique profile. How can I carry this bike on the roof of my car?
Most of roof bicycle carriers hold the bicycle by the frame. Some frame profiles are very wide of thin and are problematic. There are carriers like Giro II that have very universal clamp and allow to carry almost all kinds of bicycles. If the frame does not fit to any carrier, use the roof top carrier that holds the bicycle for the front fork or pedals.
How many bicycles I ca fir on the roof of my car?
In most of cases, you can fit four bicycles in the top of the car. Sometimes you must use some tricks like putting the 2 bicycles backward, and to facing forward, and by using the T-slots to attach the bicycle carriers. Please, pay attention not to overload the roof of the car! The weight of the load is not only the weight of bicycles, but also the bicycle carriers and roof bars.
What is the best way to carry the bicycles?
There are three ways to carry the bicycle: on the roof of the vehicle, in the carrier that is mounted on the tow bar or attached with straps to the rear of the car. The most popular is to use roof top bicycle carrier, since it may be considered as relatively the cheapest solution, although the roof bars are required. But the loading of bicycle may be difficult, and driving with bicycles on the top may be noisy and more fuel consuming. The safest and the most comfortable is using the tow bar carrier. Although one must have the tow bar in the vehicle, more and more people start to carry their bikes in this way. The carriers that are attached to the rear of the car are cheaper that the one for the tow bars but the block the access to the boot, and are not secured with the locks.
Tip: The skis on the top of you car should take an opposite direction to the one on the ski slope – they need to be put with tips put backwards!
The tall bindings in my skis do not allow to carry the skis In the ski carrier. How can I solve the problem?
If there is not enough space between the bindings and the roof, one should lift the ski carrier up on the bars. The high position feature is in most of aluminium ski carrieriers. If your ski carrier does not allow to put in the higher position, and you must spend the money on the new one, consider buying the roof box. Than the high bindings problem will disappear and you will increase the volume of your car.
Tip: Please, make sure that after each use, snow chains are washed and dried, so you can rely on them next time you need them.
Is the size of the tire enough to choose the right snow chain for my car?
The basic criteria to choose the right snow chain is indeed the size of the winter tire. But many cars have a very limited space between the tire and mechanical parts. In such vehicles, the manufactures allow to use only 9 mm chains. In extreme cases even the 9 mm is to much, and so the snow chain must have an additional part. Therefore for yours and your car security, you must follow the instruction of your vehicle in order to make sure that the manufacture allows to use the chains, and if so, what size of links.
I have 4-wheel-drive car. Should I put the snow chains for the front or rear wheels?
The snow chains must be fitted on the wheels that are driven. But if the car is 4wheel-drive, it is enough to put the snow chains only for one pair of wheels, that is indicated in the manufactures instruction.
What does it mean that the snow chain is selftentioning?
Fitting the snow chains usually occurs in extreme conditions. When fitting the traditional snow chain, one must stop after short distance to make a chains as tensed as possible. The “new generation” snow chains lie T2 Magic or Super Magic, due to seltensioning feature, make the fitting shorter and easier.
How Fast I can drive with the snow chains on the wheel?
It is very important not to forget that one may use the snow chains only when it is required by the road condition, which does not allow to drive fast anyway. Snow chains manufactures indicate the speed of 50km/h as the maximum speed with the snow chains on. If you can go faster that that…than you probably do not need snow chains anymore! Under no circumstances do not use snow chains on the paved road!