A Guide to Base Rack Systems (2021)

The popularity of outdoor activities has got everyone, young and old engaged. Whether it is kayaking, skiing, or biking up that trail, this interest brings excitement to folks who love the outdoors. Along came SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicle) that promised to provide your sport transporting needs. While SUVs (or other vehicles) can aid in hauling your gears, it is still wiser to get a roof rack system that can provide more space not just for your gears but for the company you will enjoy your outdoor trip with.

Your vehicle’s rooftop is the best place for that extra space you need to carry what you need for your trip. They are as spacious as the interior of your car, allowing extra passengers and smaller bags. Most car owners prefer roof racks over trailers for their convenience in maneuvering. Trailers can be hard to maneuver and take up too much space on parking lots.

Today, there are a variety of roof rack systems you can use to carry specific gears. There are roof-mounted carriers for bikes, canoes, cargo boxes, kayaks, skis, snowboards, and other things you need to bring to enjoy your trip.

But, before getting the rack system for the kayak you are bringing this weekend, inspect what you have on your roof. Chances are, your vehicle is ready with what it needs to start setting up your roof rack. If not, read on to get an idea of each component for Base Rack Systems.

What Are Base Roof Rack Systems?

Roof rack systems are helpful to carry bulky items like bikes, canoes, kayak, luggage, and cargo boxes. They let car owners transport gears on the vehicle of the roof giving enough interior space for other occupants. These systems include sets of bars secured to the car’s roof.

Every roof rack needs a dependable foundation. And, these are base roof rack systems. They offer your roof a tough pedestal to mount your gears. These base roof rack system mounts directly to your existing roof rails and puts sturdy crossbars overhead.

Do I Need Base Roof Rack?

Base roof racks are reliable multi-purpose load carriers that let you mount bikes, skis, snowboards, kayaks. Having a proper roof rack allows safe transportation of all the gears you sure value a lot.

Look at the video below where an untoward incident happened just because a kayak fell off from a (maybe) poorly set-up roof rack and decide for yourself.

Basic Roof Rack System Explained

Every vehicle is different and roof rack manufacturers have designed their products to be as universal as possible. Obviously, selling a unique product for each car make and model is not practical.

To find out where to start with the base roof rack system, identify your car’s roof type. The components you need as well as the installation will be based on it. Your vehicle may be one of the following roof types;

1. Normal/bare roof. The bare roof is the most common roof type in the late-model vehicles. They are smooth and do not have gutters and rails. For such, roof racks can be installed by clipping or fixing hooks to the top of the door frames.
2. Roof raised rails. Raised Rail is common in SUVs, wagons, and mini-vans. They are the stylish factory-installed roof attachment. It runs from front to back on the vehicle’s outer edges. They are the easiest to fit a roof rack to and does not require a vehicle-specific fit kit. Raised rails have a ready sturdy base to attach the roof rack foot to.
3. Flush / low profile roof rails. Flush rails are new and have been introduced in most European makes and models. They are flush to the roof devoid of any space between the rail and the roof. These factory-fitted rails are considered the easiest to use.
4. Fixed points. Fixed points are factory looped fasten down points that are typically positioned on the outer edge of the roof at two points on each side. These are added when the vehicle does not have a roof rail.
5. Rain Gutters. Rain gutters are those bent edges that channel water away from the car doors and other openings. They have been existent since the 1960s and although they are still present, they can only be seen on full-sized cargo or passenger vans.

Next, to go through are the components that complete the base roof rack systems. While they are different gears to be equipped together, manufacturers have also come up with complete systems that combine all of them. The pieces we are talking about are;

1. Towers. Or the feet. They are the main (and usually the most expensive) part of the roof base rack set. Towers bear the weight of everything you load on your roof. Installed at the strongest points of your roof, they usually are integrated with locking ability, so that no one can detach your roof rack easily.
2. Load Bars. Or crossbars are the two (or more) bars that go across the width of your vehicle rooftop, attached from the driver-side window to passenger side window. They are where you mount your activity-specific racks to. Crossbars support the weight of the things you are hauling to the roof while transferring the weight to the towers.
3. Fit Kits. Or landing pads. Fit kits are used to mount the towers to your car. Towers are usually generic, they will need a vehicle-specific fitting kit. Manufacturers designed them to fit a specific car make or model or a range of vehicles. Fit kits consist of;
   1. Clip or clamps that fastens the tower to your roof-line or rail.
   2. Bottom pads or those rubber bases that sit between your roof and tower. These pads provide stability and keep your roof from damage.

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Base Roof Rack System Buying Guide

Before you buy, consider these questions. These should help you to decide whether they are the right component you need or just another you will return to the seller.

Will/Does It Fit My Vehicle?

Different cars need specific tower sets, thus picking one comes with such complexity. Most roof rack systems usually have modular components, but the year, make, and model of your car will tell the specific choice to be. Most online retail stores have a roof rack fit guide that will help you if you feel confused. They are as simple as choosing your car’s make and model and they’ll find which is the best for you.

How Much Am I Paying?

The price range for base roof rack systems run between $150 to $500. As with any goods we buy, the price is an essential factor. We always want to get something whose value is worth your every cent. Look for products that are tested durable, functional, and long-lasting. Doing so will make you confident that they will meet and exceed what is expected of them.

You may also go for stores that offer for you to bring your old gears in exchange for a great deal. This is not just helpful for your wallet but for the environment as well. A considerable portion of a rack’s carbon lifecycle is in the initial production.

What Will I Carry with It?

Will your next trip be a kayak adventure? Or are you racing up the trail with your mountain bike? Consider the gears you need to carry with the base roof rack you are thinking of getting. Most components that help transport kayaks, canoes, or bikes are compatible with a range of crossbar types, others require adapters too.

Knowing what you need to bring saves you from the complexity of components you need for the most convenient base roof rack.

Will It Look Good?

Admit it, you also want it to match that sporty look of your SUV. You may think round crossbars look better or an extra height may make it look like a turtle. Or the silver finish may not go well with the red finish of your car. Different rack manufacturers have different designs and styles. Be sure to check out not just one, but a few before deciding to get one.

To give you an idea which components are ideal for a specific car roof type, we scoured the web to find and review them for you. It could be compatible with your car, but to make sure, check out the manufacturer’s base rack fit guide or seek assistance from your friendly salesman.

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Rack for Fixed Points Car

Fixed Points are attachment spots on the roof for attaching roof racks. Mazda, BMWs, Tesla, some Mercedes, and some Subaru come with fixed points. They are great to attach an aftermarket roof rack. These usually have flush fitting plastic covers and are positioned on spots that are not obvious.

Towers for Fixed Points Car

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Rack for Raised Rail Car

Raised roof rails are usually on SUVs of all sizes and on some of the station wagons. A raised-rail roof rack comprises of two main components: the rack cross-bars and the rack feet.

Towers for Raised Rail Car

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Rack for Flush Rail Car

Flush – means not raised and that is there is not an upright space between the bottom of the rail and the roof of the car. They are usually on SUVs and on station wagons and its roof rack comprises of the rack cross-bars, the rack feet (sometimes called stays or towers), and a vehicle-specific pad and hardware kit.

Towers for Flush Rail Car

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Rack for Rain Gutter Car

Cars, for the longest time, have “drip rails” on the roof that are used to protect the interiors from rain and snow. Over time, they served as a point where to attach a roof rack tower for that much-needed space on top of the car. Such design can still be found on larger cargo vans, and certain Jeeps and SUVs.

Towers for Rain Gutter Car

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Custom Permanently Installed Roof Racks

Permanent Custom Mount roof racks could be just what you need to put a rack on any vehicle with no standard fit. Check these custom install products and decide for yourself what you need.

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Conclusion

The products we went over were carefully reviewed and each one proved to be secure and can serve as a strong base for any gear you may need to carry. The last thing you want on an outdoor trip is your cargo management falls apart. These systems, with the right installation, can assure you that the bars will stay in place at any given driving speed.

You may check out additional features like security to deter theft, aerodynamics to reduce wind noise and drag, and materials used to protect not just your base roof rack system but your vehicle as well.

Once your base roof rack system is up, all there is left to do is to choose the rooftop carrying accessories you may need, depending on which gear you plan to transport. When they are complete, then you are just a drive away for your next adventure. An adventure with your gears on your own roof rack system will leave you amazed at how convenient hauling things can be.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Check out our other articles on Wind Fairings, Gutter Mount Roof Racks and Thule Force vs Yakima Skybox!