A roof box can be a very useful utensil when travelling. But for it to fulfil its purpose ideally, it must be packed properly. All items that no longer fit in the trunk are stored in the roof box.
The operating instructions state the maximum load it can withstand. To ensure safety at all times, you should always adhere to the respective value. If this is not stated in the operating instructions, you can ask the manufacturer directly.
The roof box changes the driving physics of the car
If you install a roof box on your car, the driving physics of your vehicle changes. Therefore it is very important never to load it too heavily. Because then safety would no longer be guaranteed. In the worst case, the roof box will detach itself from the carrier and slide onto the road. Therefore always keep to the maximum load specified by the manufacturer. To accommodate as many items as possible in the box up to this limit, you should pack them systematically.
Loading the roof box correctly
With a roof box the centre of gravity of your car changes all by itself. If you own a tall vehicle (for example a van, an SUV or even a bus), you should drive especially carefully. With a fully loaded roof box, the various manufacturers recommend a maximum speed of 130 km/h. This is because it adds weight and therefore influences the braking distance and the entire driving behaviour.
When packing, make sure that all items are safely stowed away and lie ideally in the box. Because if they are fragile, they could otherwise be damaged. Before driving, be sure to measure the total height of your car including the roof box. Because on the roads there are always limited clearance heights that should be observed.
Pay attention to the weight
It has already been briefly mentioned above that each roof box can only withstand a certain payload. As a rule, the maximum permitted weight is 50 to 75 kilograms. It is essential that you adhere to this and load the roof rack as evenly as possible. Here, half of the entire weight is placed in the middle of the vehicle. There is then space for a quarter in front and a quarter behind.
Each roof box should also have a number of eyelets and straps with which you can secure and properly fasten your luggage. This will prevent it from moving back and forth during the ride and will not damage it.
What are the advantages of correctly loading a roof box?
There are many advantages to loading a roof box correctly. First of all, the trunk is not so full during a journey and can be used for other purposes. Also, most of the weight is not in the back of the car. Therefore the rear axle is not so heavily loaded. Another advantage is that you have a clear view to the rear and can not only use the mirrors. This reduces the risk of accidents and the drive is simply more pleasant. You also have more storage space, which can be very advantageous when you are on holiday with the whole family.
A roof box is also very practical during the winter holidays. You can easily stow your skis and snowboards in it to save space, so that they take up less room in the vehicle. As with all other items, however, you should read carefully before packing how best to store them in the roof box. Because safety is a very important point in road traffic. If you observe all the points described above, there is nothing to prevent you from packing the roof box.