In 2019, a survey by a popular travel website revealed that 56% of people admit that traveling taught them essential life skills. Traveling is very soothing and keeps us from succumbing to the monotony of everyday life. Travel has become more than a means of exploration and has birthed its lifestyle and even vocations and cuisine preferences.
It is perhaps why every weekend, we crave to strap on our bikes, kayaks, and canoes and hit the road to a vacation spot. The travel industry is being increasingly influenced by the cost and convenience of the mode of travel. A 2019 study indicated that this is why Planes and cars as the preferred mode of travel for a lot of people today.
However, as the penchant for road trips increases, so does the number of deaths resulting from road safety violations. Research by the Centre for Disease Control and prevention that more people die from road-related reasons such as crashes, accidents, etc. than any major disease such as HIV/AIDS. Yet, a third of such accidents can be easily prevented with awareness and alertness. Therefore, before you strap on your luggage on your roof rack storage, it is imperative to go through the following dos and don'ts.
Dos
If you are planning to travel by car, these 4 dos will help you have a smooth journey.
1. Oil It Regularly
Those who use roof carriers and racks regularly are aware of its effects on overexposure to weather. Leaving the rack exposed to weather conditions can wear it down seriously and leave it susceptible to rust. The simple, effective solution to this is to use copper grease on the mounting bolts from time to time. This not only protects the bolts from corrosion but also makes removal very easy.
2. Remove When Not Using
Many people prefer to use roof carriers and racks made from lightweight materials and are non-corrosive. However, roof racks can still be hefty and weigh down your car. It grossly affects the tire pressure, fuel consumption, and overall aerodynamics of your vehicle. Thus, it is always advisable to remove the carrier when not in use.
3. Ensure Thorough Securing Before Your Journey
To ensure your roof rack carrier's safety, you must ensure that it is adequately secured and safely locked. Additionally, while carrying heavy luggage or items such as a bike or a canoe, it is only practical to seek other people's help. This way, the luggage can be tied and spread out evenly without jeopardizing the car's wheel balance. Another important prerequisite is to make sure that you use an anchor to lock and tie down the objects tightly. Lest, it might fall off and damage your vehicle, or even others.
4. Read the Instructions Carefully Before the Installation
Before installation, you need to read and understand the installation manual thoroughly and clearly. Fitting the roof carriers with the express instructions and safety guidelines can help avert any future damages and accidents to your car. Not only this, but it simplifies the task a great deal and makes the installation easy and quick.
Don’ts
While using the roof rack, never make the 3 following mistakes.
1. Do Not Overload
Every roof rack comes with a manual of correct weight and usage, which must be adhered to at all times. The weight restriction is a safety standard that prevents any damage to your vehicle or the scope of any possible accident. Usually, the roof load limit and carload limit must be taken into account for a safe journey. By following adequate limits, you will reduce the pressure on your tires and your car's fuel consumption.
2. Do not Overspeed
Ordinarily, even in the absence of a car roof carrier, adherence to the speed limit is an important safety regulation. Many Cargo carriers and roof boxes are built with express stipulations on speed rate, which must be strictly complied with. Continuous over speeding may cause an accident due to faulty aerodynamics. It will not only damage your car but also jeopardize the safety of you and others on the road as well.
3. Do Not neglect the Height Factor
Installing a car rooftop carrier can be tricky if you do not consider the type of car you have and its vehicle. Most people who drive an SUV or an MPV measure the extra height of their car upon installation. It is so because a lot of factors such as road visibility, wheel balance, and tire pressure are reliant on it. Furthermore, there is the bonus of safety, especially in covered spaces such as tunnels and covered parking lots. These factors are essential for monitoring vehicular and passenger safety properly.
Conclusion
Although roof carriers have become extremely popular for road trips, careful analysis of details must be known. Indeed, there is room for rookie errors for first-timers. However, with the necessary precautions and following the proper guidelines, damages and accidents can easily be prevented.
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