Can You Put Roof Racks On Any Car

Yes, you can put roof racks on any car when you are transporting it but its not an easy feat. Its challenging to ensure it stays secure and does not damage your or other people’s cars standing beside it. Therefore, most transporters avoid shipping a vehicle with a roof rack installed.

Still, you can find companies that will let you ship with the roof rack installed, but with some conditions and potentially some extra cost.

Here’s Why It’s Challenging to Ship a Vehicle With a Roof Rack Installed:

Shipping a car with a roof rack comes with unique difficulties.

Increased Weight:

The additional mass of a roof rack increases shipping costs since auto carriers charge by vehicle weight. A standard roof rack can weigh anywhere from 30-40 pounds or even more, depending on make and model. With weight-based pricing, this extra load translates directly to higher freight fees for consumers.

Changed Dimensions:

A roof rack increases the height and width profile of a vehicle, as shown below:

In this example, we’ve taken the dimensions of a sedan car and a cargo basket roof rack. The rack increased the height by 6 inches. The width of the rack is 39 inches, so it doesn’t alter the width, but it raises the height which means it can potentially push against the upper deck of the trailer if your car is parked on the deck below.

The altered size constraints necessitate unique securement and may prevent the vehicle from fitting within standard enclosed or even open carriers. This can significantly limit shipping routing options. You may need to get top load shipping where the vehicle is put on top deck and this may cost 5-10% extra.

Damage Risk:

During transit, a roof rack is more prone to strikes from overhead clearance bars or shifting cargo since it extends above the vehicle profile. Inclement weather or rough roads additionally increase the likelihood of rack components bending or breaking off entirely.

Loading/Unloading Challenges:

Loading a car with a protruding roof rack requires more finesse to avoid rack interference with carrier walls and overhead doors. Securement is also trickier, as tight straps could potentially damage rack materials like metal or composite fins.

Height Limitations:

A roof rack may preclude driving under bridges, inside garages, or within transport trailers if its increased height exceeds clearances. The can you put roof racks on any car may be impossible to ship if standoff is too great.

Aerodynamic Issues:

With a roof rack installed, a vehicle’s sleek design is disrupted, increasing wind resistance and decreasing fuel efficiency. Crosswinds and turbulence can also induce stress oscillations, impacting driver control.

Ratchet Straps May Damage:

Tightening securment straps to standard degrees risks exerting excessive downward force on delicate roof rack components. Over-torqued fasteners may crack plastic parts or dent fragile metal assemblies.

Additional Securement Needs:

Proper rack fixation requires attaching separate anchor points like straps or cargo nets. This lengthens loading/unloading timelines and drives up process expenses from additional labor and materials used.

Increased Inspection Needs:

Extra pre-trip and post-trip checks are important to validate roof racks stayed locked down and arrived without issues. However, inspections also take more effort and cut into transportation company throughput.

Insurance Coverage Questions:

Transport liability policies may have exclusions or surcharges for vehicles transported with exposed add-ons like roof racks. Carriers would rather minimize risks to reduce premium costs.

Shipping a vehicle with an installed roof rack presents several challenges that increase shipping complexity. While sometimes unavoidable, vehicle owners should consider disassembling racks if can you put roof racks on any car to streamline the transport process when possible.

What’s The Right Way to Ship A Vehicle With a Roof Rack?

Compatible Carrier

Finding the right automobile shipping company is key when transporting a vehicle with accessories like a roof rack installed.

Carriers who are experienced with shipping vehicles with modifications will be more careful and have the proper equipment to safely secure your roof rack during transit. Talk to potential shippers beforehand to check if they:

Inspect Thoroughly

Besides selecting the right carrier, taking time to inspect your “can you put roof racks on any car” is vital. Check for corrosion, loose mounts or other flaws that could cause issues during transport.

Reinforce weak areas to withstand vibrations on the road. Photograph and note the current condition to have records in case of claims later on.

Protect Contact Points

Apply padding where the roof rack will touch securing straps to prevent scratches and dents. Soft wrap provides an extra barrier without sharp edges that could cut through over long drives. This small step protects both your vehicle and expensive roof rack accessory.

Add Internal Bracing

For additional stability, consider bracing the roof rack from within your vehicle. Taut rope or metal bars underneath can stop unwanted shifting during turns or hard stops that usually happen en route. The roof rack stays securely in place without risk of damage.

Dismantle or Consider Other Options

As a last resort if your particular “can you put roof racks on any car” design has inherent flaws, dismantling may be best. Store components safely inside instead to reattach at destination if needed.

You can also ship uninstalled for reattachment later or look at protected transport alternatives like enclosed car carriers.

Check Insurance and Legalities

Prior to transporting a vehicle with roof racks, verify your auto insurance covers the additional liability of shipping a car with aftermarket attachments installed. You may need to purchase supplemental coverage for highly valuable roof rack components.

Also check if any special permits are required by the department of motor vehicles in the origin and destination locations for vehicles shipped with roof racks. Obtaining the proper documentation avoids potential penalties.

Different Types of Roof Racks Shipped With Vehicles:

• Cargo Baskets: Open top steel or aluminum containers that are secured to the roof for carrying luggage and gear.
• Roof Boxes: Hard-shell containers that sit above the roofline and have hinged access doors on the top and sides.
• Bike Racks: Carriers designed specifically for mounting bicycles above the vehicle, usually holding 1-3 bikes.
• Kayak/Canoe Racks: Elevated racks with adjustable straps to securely mount small watercraft horizontally.
• Ladder Racks: Metal frames shaped like an inverted ‘v’ that are secured from front to back to carry ladders, lumber, etc.
• Rail Systems: Aluminum beams attached parallel to the roof to mount various modular attachments.
• Ski/Snowboard Racks: Hold up to 6 pairs of skis/boards vertically on an elevated custom fit rack.
• Roof-Mounted Cargo Carriers: Similar to cargo baskets but with sides and a tailgate for hauling equipment.
• Tent Platforms: Raised sleeping surfaces that extend above the roof for camping excursions.
• Surfboard Racks: Straps and cradles made of foam lined aluminum to safely transport boards upside down.

Easy Auto Ship Can Help You Ship Your Vehicle With a Roof Rack

Shipping a vehicle with a roof rack or other add-ons doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. As one of the largest auto transport companies, Easy Auto Ship has over 15,000 professionals in our network that can handle transporting your modified vehicle.

With such a large carrier network, we can almost always find a truck and driver that has the equipment and expertise to safely load and ship your car even if it has a roof rack installed.

Whether you need to transport vehicle cross-country or just a few states over, we’ve got you covered. In fact, thousands of customers every year ship all kinds of vehicles with or without modifications without any issues.

So stop wondering can you put roof racks on any car when shipping and Just give us a call and one of our shipping coordinators will match your vehicle request with a carrier able to accommodate your unique transport needs.