South Africans love a road trip, and, now with long weekends and school holidays on our doorstep, whether it's with friends or family, simply buckle up, hit the road and make some unforgettable memories.
However, whether you drive a compact hatchback or a large SUV, packing space always seems to be at a premium when you’re preparing for your departure, even more so if you have kids or and if you like to take the bicycle(s) and all the sports equipment along too.
A rooftop cargo carrier will transform your road trip from a complicated game of tetris to the ability to safely and securely transport everything needed to enjoy the time at your holiday destination.
The Thule SA team, renowned for their range of solutions for carrying all types of gear safely and securely on the exterior of vehicle, shared their insights on roof top cargo carriers, and why they should be your next must-have car and holiday accessory:
The benefits…
Rooftop cargo carriers are ideal for bulkier items like golf clubs, strollers, cooler boxes and beach equipment, which are not necessarily heavy but can take up a lot of space in terms of their overall volume. This frees up the boot for regular luggage items.
You can enjoy a bit of shopping for curios or other items while on the road, your roof top cargo carrier will swallow them with ease.
Rooftop cargo carriers require no licensing, tow bar and don't take up nearly as much space.
Trailers are difficult to manoeuvre and often holiday accommodation does not cater for the parking requirements of a vehicle and trailer combination.
No tow bar, no problem!
If your car is not fitted with a tow bar, or is not able to be fitted with a tow bar, which is often the case with sporty models that feature extensive exhaust systems, a rooftop cargo carrier is the easiest way to expand its load carrying capacity.
Often the roof bars and foot packs on which the rooftop cargo carrier rests can also accommodate a variety of accessories alongside, ensuring that all your leisure equipment is safely transported to your holiday destination.
Even if your car is fitted with a tow bar a rooftop cargo carrier is still a good idea as it frees up the tow bar for other duties, such as the fitment of a bicycle rack or even your caravan or boat.
Carrying bicycles behind the car is also the most effective way to do so and will have the least effect on the cars aerodynamic performance and fuel consumption.
Enhancing travel efficiency and cost saving benefits…
It is well known that towing a trailer can dramatically increase a vehicle’s fuel consumption, especially when it is towed behind smaller, less powerful vehicles.
Choose a rooftop cargo carrier that IS designed with optimum aerodynamics in mind, meaning the effect on your fuel consumption will be negligible if any, which is a big advantage given the current inflated fuel prices.
Economic pressures have also seen many motorists downsize their vehicles to smaller, more fuel efficient models. The use of a rooftop cargo carrier allows motorists to transform these compact models into more practical holidaying solutions, with the increased luggage space now making city runabouts suitable for holiday adventures.
Peace of mind motoring
Choose a rooftop cargo carrier that has been tested and is completely secure, with well-developed latches that lock the carrier and also secure it to the roof of your vehicle. Thule’s designers work hand in hand with vehicle manufacturers to ensure that the boxes, as well as the bars on which they are mounted, fit seamlessly onto the vehicle, with no permanent modifications needed, which means their fitment will not affect your vehicle’s warranty.
Revolutionise the way you embark on adventures and embrace the freedom and convenience of a rooftop cargo carrier, and simply just focus on the joy of the journey ahead!