When you have a lot more baggage, gear, or junk that you have space within the trunk of your car, it is time to consider picking up a new roof rack or some other type of cargo storage unit for your family Truckster. The numerous manufacturers have really gotten a lot more creative and innovative over the past decade and improved on the outdated clamp-on roof carrier that we all used to “live with”. You recall the ones where the carrier straps did a “tap, tap, tap” on the roof or window the entire way!
Nowadays, you can find roof racks that are built right in to the top of your Van or SUV. It is also possible to get hitch mounted cargo racks, which attach into your trailer hitch receiver, and provide you with a pleasant storage shelf off the back of your vehicle. You can get them to fit virtually any vehicle on the market. If you would rather, you can also find covered or enclosed automobile top carriers that are way more aerodynamic compared to the old box or tent kinds. They now make them in a hard cover or a soft, more flexible cover.
Of course you can find specialty type racks that mount to your trunk, either permanently or temporarily, that can give you just enough extra cargo space to get the job done. There are also the reliable bike racks, ski racks, and kayak racks you can mount on top of your rig, or off of the hitch receiver. There are also some pretty slick hoist gizmos which will help you lift the bicycle or kayak off the top of your automobile and up to a storage point at the ceiling of the garage.
You always want to take care and caution when loading up your luggage or gear onto a roof rack, so that you have ample space to get the loaded vehicle out of the garage!! I believe not opening your garage door high enough might have an undesirable effect – sort of just like the Griswolds in Vacation – forcing you to start loading all over again! The main element here is to measure first off so to be certain what you’ve got up there will go out the door! Or then again, you can always just load it up outside!!!
Whether or not we’re hauling a lot more toys to the lake or campground now than a few decades back is open to debate. But, one thing is for certain, it is becoming a heck of a lot easier to get it carried there in today’s world! I have personally made numerous trips across this country with my Mini-Van loaded, along with a full car top carrier up top, and towing my daughter’s Honda Civic – which was also loaded to the top! I felt like part of the Clampetts! We always got lots of looks, and lots of laughs, and we pretty much didn’t care!! It’s all part of the fun of the trip, isn’t it?!!!
Fade out to “Holiday Road” theme from Vacation as Clark, Ellen, Audrey, and Rusty motor on down the highway towards Wally World……
