Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.
How to Tie Things to the Roof of Your Car
Don’t be the person who causes an accident.
By
Andrew Connor
Radio
Say you go out this holiday season and get a Christmas tree that’s some Griswold-level shit. Or you have an old-school, 17-foot aluminum canoe. Or you like to surf. Or you’re driving your nasty old mattress to the dump after you failed to unload it on some Craigslist chumps. No matter how big your car is, you won’t fit any of that stuff inside. No, you’ll want to strap those things to your roof.
But when strapping gear to your roof, make sure you do it right. A US government study found that in 2010, around 51,000 crashes, 10,000 injuries and 440 deaths were caused by objects falling from another vehicle, and you don’t want to contribute to statistics like that. Which is why we spoke with Jonny Wood — one of Yakima’s four “Road Warriors” who travel around the US educating the masses on how to properly rack up their vehicles — and asked for some advice on how to properly secure a load to a car’s roof.
Acquire ropes and straps. Wood recommends a webbing strap with a fastening buckle that doesn’t use a ratcheting system. According to Wood, ratcheting systems “apply a significant amount of crushing force on whatever you’re moving, so you can go in excess of what’s necessary on both whatever you’re carrying as well as the vehicle.” If you do go for ratchets, just be wary of how much you tighten. Wood also advises against bungie cords, as they’re too prone to flex when driving at speed and causing loads to shift and possibly escape. Nylon rope also works, but be prepared to tie some trucker’s knots.
Assess your rack situation. “There are really three kinds of scenarios for your roof,” Wood said. “There’s the scenario where there’s absolutely nothing on the top of your roof. Then there’s the scenario where you have side rails and then a scenario where you have side rails and crossbars.” Wood says side rails and crossbars are ideal, but you can move whatever you you need to without them. In the case of a naked roof, you should be looping the rope through the car (through the doors, not the windows) and around the object on the roof, and a towel or blanket should be used to protect the roof of your car from the object. If you have side rails and crossbars, the straps can be looped around those.
Placement matters. Placement of the item is important to get right. In the case of a bare roof you’re somewhat limited, but in this situation it’s ideal to have the object centered with the doors of your car so the bulk of the item is most securely strapped down. If you have side rails, the most important thing is to reduce the amount of drag the item will make by placing the front of it in line with the beginning of the roof (or moving it as far back as you can). When the item hangs over the windshield, it causes updraft force on the car, “because more of that object is catching the wind and causing it to pull upwards away from the vehicle,” said Wood.
In the event of overhang, anchor fore and aft. If you’re attaching something particularly long, like a tree or a canoe, overhang is unavoidable. In this case, you’ll want to anchor the item not just to the rack but the front and back of the vehicle. “The real big no-no is to hook on to a plastic bumper,” said Wood. “Find a metal structure on the rear of the car. On the front of the car, it’s not as easy to find one, so you can get something called Hood Loops anchor loops. Open up your hood and you’ll find bolts on the sides you can attach these loops to…that creates an anchor point.”
Adjust your driving. Wood said most roof rack systems for cars have a dynamic roof load of about 165 pounds. This means that, assuming you’ve strapped everything down properly and your load doesn’t exceed that weight, you should be in the clear to drive as you normally would at highways speeds. However, if you intend to carry more or you don’t have a roof rack, you should drive slower, as the added weight to your roof can negatively affect your car’s handling and aerodynamics.
Check the load. Naturally, you’ll want to do some stress testing before you set off by pushing and pulling on the object to make sure it’s snugly in place. But it shouldn’t stop there. “If you’re going on a long drive on the highway, plan your trip accordingly, where in the first five miles after you’ve been driving at speed, [stop and] double-check everything to makes sure its all good,” said Wood. “That’s one of the big things we recommend — checking after it’s been acclimated to real-world driving.”
Additional Illustrations by Silvana Volio de la Fuente
Goldwin's Mac Coat is made from Gore-Tex Paclite – which is lightweight, waterproof, breathable, packable and doesn't compromise on a soft handfeel. Get 15 percent off one of your own by signing up for the brand's newsletter.
Staub's enameled cast iron is versatile, distributes heat evenly, and works with any heat source, including induction. This is one of our favorite pieces of cookware.
Anthony Bourdain always said you really only needed one good knife in the kitchen. This one could be it. It is made with a fiberglass handle and a three-layer blade construction that will stand the test of time.
Huckberry and Timex threw it back to the 70s and 80s with this collaboration. Starting with a blank slate, the brands led with the iconic cola colorway, added a military-inspired dial and finished it off with a woven stainless steel bracelet and aluminum timing bezel.
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket.
Best Made is back and we're grateful because it means we have access to its thoughtfully made goods that are always high quality. This pocket knife is forged by a fifth-generation Japanese blade maker and will develop a patina over time that is unique to you.
When it comes to keeping temperature, ThermoWorks is elite. The brand is a leader in humidity trackers, pH monitors and meat probes, but its marquee product is the humble Thermapen. If you don't believe us, ask chefs and grillmasters everywhere.
Huckberry teamed up with the squad at GORUCK to make a pared-back version of GORUCK's flagship GR1 backpack that still packs a solid punch. Made with 500D Cordura, it is tough but not overdoing it with super thick fabric. One of its coolest features is the laptop compartment, which sits higher against your back so that it is protected if the bag gets dropped.
Solo Stove took the 360 Airflow Design that made its fire pit so exceptional and turned it into a charcoal grill that is perfect for backyard hangs. This bundle comes with the grill, a grill stand, a cover, a carry case, plus briquettes and starters to get you going.
This is your new go-to for spring. Whether you're headed to the gym, lounging around the house or pairing it with a button-down shirt, this heather crewneck will get the job done. Todd Snyder sure knows how to outfit the American man.
If you want a mask with more protection and versatility than a simple cloth mask, check out this one from Outdoor Research. It has adjustable straps to keep your fit dialed and comes with three replaceable filters that block out 95 percent of particles.
Casio's legendary G-Shock line is not only a utilitarian achievement but is also just super stylish. You can find G-Shocks everywhere, from space to the street. This one is a bit pared back compared to others, which makes it an excellent addition to any fit any time.
With a not-too-short-but-not-too-long 8-inch inseam, these versatile shorts are excellent for going out for a run but won't show too much skin when you head to the gym. Plus, they have four pockets. Who doesn't love pockets?
This desk lamp is packed with features that will make you wonder how you lived without it. Aside from its lighting, it utilizes RavPower's groundbreaking HyperAir technology for ultra-fast wireless charging and has a USB port for any other devices you might have.
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 31 percent off, you do it.
Making more coffee from home now? So are we. Ditch the Mr. Coffee and unlock all the flavor your freshly roasted beans have to offer with a french press. It is super simple to use and really does make exceptional coffee.
Stasher bags are one of our favorite alternatives to single-use plastic wrap and bags. They keep your food fresh, contain no BPA and are dishwasher and microwave safe. Plus, you can also use them for marinades or sous vide thanks to their Pinch-Loc seal.
This is our pick for the best big and tall office chair, but that doesn't mean it won't work for those of us that are more vertically challenged. The ergonomics on this chair are excellent, ensuring that you stay comfortable for the long haul.
A midweight insulated jacket is a must-have in every outdoor enthusiast's wardrobe. This one from The North Face is packed with features, including a DWR finish to fend off light rain, post-consumer recycled insulation and is packable for easy stowing (or for use as a travel pillow).
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
This smart vacuum senses when it is full, locks itself back into its port and empties without any work on your end. It also keeps a record of its ventures into your home, making for more efficient journeys in the future. This combo includes an Echo Dot for only $10, which is a valuable add-on that has many more benefits than just the vacuum connectivity.
If you have trouble waking up, especially in the winter, getting an artificial light to simulate sunrise is a great option. This alarm clock features nature sounds to wake you up, tap snooze and an auto-dimming display.
This is one of The North Face's most iconic silhouettes. Supremely warm, this jacket comes in four retro colorways and has a relaxed cut that is both street-ready and mountain-ready.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
