Roof rack is a design necessary for comfortable and safe transportation of goods. After all, not all items can fit in the luggage compartment or car interior, especially when traveling, outdoor activities or moving is supposed.

In this case, a special roof rack is required, which is easy to purchase and install from a specialized store.

Thinking over how to make a roof rack for a car with your own hands, you should decide on the type of construction, prepare materials, tools.

Roof racks that you can do yourself:

• crossbars for roof rails - a fairly simple but effective design;
• welded metal system - performed with sides and bottom, capable of transporting oversized, heavy loads.

Choosing the right materials, it is recommended to opt for light, soft metals that will not cause problems in processing, will not affect the maneuverability and performance of the car. The lighter weight of the structure puts less stress on the car.

The best solution is the choice of corrosion resistant aluminum lightweight parts. Given the high cost of the material, you can give preference to profile thin-walled pipes.

Other materials, tools for making the trunk:

• grinder - used for cutting profile, metal;
• clamps designed for car mufflers will serve as the basis for fasteners;
• polyurethane foam and sander - will be required to shape the crossbars;
• fiberglass - preferably with a high density of 300 g / m 2, since the material is necessary for strengthening;
• paint - needed for painting the finished structure, matched to the body color, classic silver, black shades are also used.

A welding machine can also be useful in work, providing complex structures, connections when they are provided for by the diagram. Having prepared the required materials and tools, you can proceed to the next step and take measurements to make a trunk for the car rails.

Making crossbars does not require a lot of time or special skills. Carrying out measurements involves determining the distance between the rails.

Further measurements with length and width, calculations, drawing up a project are required when creating a more complex structure. But if you need to make a roof rack for a car, it is better to start with crossbars that are attached to the rails using fasteners.

Main working steps:

1. Having determined the required length of the future crossbars, the metal profile is cut off. You need to make sure the items you get are the same.
2. Metal parts are thoroughly covered with foam from the outside and from the inside. There should be enough foam so that there are no problems with shaping later.
3. The elements are left to dry completely.
4. Then, they start grinding the dried foam using a grinder. First, the shape of a parallelepiped is achieved. If desired, corners are also grinded to improve aerodynamic performance.
5. During sanding, pores may appear, places where the foam has not formed. Such imperfections are easily eliminated thanks to the usual putty.
6. Applying glass fabric in 2-3 layers is the next stage. It is important to use dense material, the strength of the structure depends on it.

Coloring the crossbars is one of the final stages. When designing a trunk for car rails with your own hands, you can choose any shade for painting. The most attractive is matte black, silver paint.

The manufacture of fasteners plays an equally important role in determining the efficiency and durability of the structure. To exclude the displacement of the trunk, damage to the body, racks, you need to think in advance about attaching the trunk to the roof of the car with your own hands.

The most affordable and simplest mounting option involves the use of muffler clamps.

Fastener manufacturing process:

• unnecessary elements or ears are cut off;
• flat plates with holes are obtained for the subsequent fastening of the structure;
• finished items are painted or black PVC tubing is put on for a more attractive look.

Other options for creating bindings:

• the use of U-shaped brackets allows you to get an excellent loading surface;
• wing nuts greatly simplify the process of installation, dismantling of the entire system;
• special brackets are used that are welded to the crossbars, and they are attached to the rails using bolts.

Installing a homemade roof rack is not difficult. For this, paired holes are made in the rails.

It is important that the distance between them matches the gap between the holes in the mounting plate.

When the holes are made, proceed to fastening. Here it is allowed to use rubber spacers between the cross members and clamps, which eliminates the formation of unwanted gaps or damage.

When thinking about how to make a roof rack yourself, it is worth remembering that such a structure is designed to transport goods weighing up to 70 kg. In practice, the system is able to withstand heavy loads, but experimenting is not worth it.

When it is supposed to transport heavier, bulky items, it is better to use cross members with brackets or pay attention to complex structures with sides, stiffeners. In this case, one cannot do without project development, welding of elements.

Experts pay attention to cases of the absence of roof rails, when for fastening it is necessary to make holes in the roof, mount special brackets. Corrosion is not excluded here, so it is better to consult with experienced craftsmen.

Every car owner once gets too cramped in the car - for example, when he starts repairs and carries tiles and plaster in the car, or hurries to the dacha with seedlings in the spring. In this situation, it is most effective to place luggage on the roof of the car using a special device. However, prices for high-quality trunks range from several thousand to two to three tens of thousands of rubles. A simple and practical solution is to make a trunk with your own hands.

Why do you need a car roof rack

A roof rack will definitely come in handy if you:

• started repairs and transport building materials yourself;
• you move, transport a large number of things;
• are fond of active leisure activities, be it cycling, snowboarding, alpine skiing, fishing, hunting, hiking, etc.

Types and photos of the most common designs

First, you need to decide on the type of roof rack that you need. There are several types of structures:

• trunk of a universal type. It consists of several cross bars and fixing brackets. Suitable for almost all car models: from the cargo "Sobol" to the cool "Jeep";

  Universal roof rack with mounts can be easily installed on a smooth car roof

• expeditionary (tourist) trunk. It differs from the universal with a stronger structure, a reliable bottom and a higher carrying capacity: up to 200 kilograms of cargo can be placed in the expeditionary trunk. The design of the expedition rack allows you to attach to it equipment, spare wheels, lighting lamps, etc., and also protects the surface of the car body from damage such as scratches from branches;

  Expedition roof racks are most often installed on SUVs

• bike rack. In fact, these are special holders (rods with "hook" on the frame), which are attached to the cross members of the trunk;

  The bike rack is indispensable for nature lovers and cycling enthusiasts

• boxing (wardrobe trunk). Boxes are hard and soft. Rigid boxes are boxes made of plastic, soft or ABS plastic, and soft boxes are made of special waterproof fabric bags. They are mounted on roof rails.

  Roof rack is the most convenient, but quite expensive option.

If you have the necessary skill, patience, time and desire, you can make a trunk of any type with your own hands. The most popular and cost-effective are universal and expeditionary luggage carriers. They are most often chosen by car owners.

Before proceeding directly to the process, it should be noted that the owner of the car takes on his own peril and risk for the manufacture of the trunk, and he himself is responsible for the possible consequences.

Video: how to make a good trunk with your own hands

And it is also worth paying attention to the fact that you are unlikely to need a trunk all the time, so you should think about making it removable and use it as needed.

Universal car trunk

It is better for an inexperienced craftsman to start by making the simplest type of trunk. In fact, there are two cross members to be made. For this you will need:

• metal profile, for example, with dimensions of 20X30 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5–2.0 mm (ideally, aluminum, since it is lighter);
• muffler clamps - 4 pieces. With their help, the trunk will be attached to the roof (if there are roof rails);
• polyurethane foam;
• grinding machine;
• fiberglass with a density of 300 g / sq. m .;
• paint.

Step by step manufacturing

To make a roof rack in accordance with the parameters of the car and secure it to the roof, follow the algorithm below:

1. First, we saw the crossbars. The length of the cross members must match the width of the vehicle body.
2. We cover the crossbars with foam both inside and outside. The layer should be quite dense: this will allow at the next stage to give the crossbars the required shape.
3. After the foam dries, grind it off with a grinder. At the first stage, we give the profile the shape of a regular parallelepiped, and then we make structural changes in order to improve aerodynamics, in particular, we grind the corners.
4. Since the foam has a loose structure, the cross-members can be additionally covered with car putty - this will make their surface smoother.
5. We wrap the crossbars with fiberglass in three layers.
6. We paint the crossbars and wait for drying.
7. At this time, we will be engaged in the manufacture of fasteners. In our case, we decided to take the path of least resistance and use muffler clamps. They need to be prepared - file the lower part of the clamp to get a flat plate for a tighter fit.
8. We drill holes in the cross members. There should be two symmetrically located holes on each side. The distance between them should coincide with the “ears” of the clamp.
9. We fix the crossbars to the rails. In order not to damage the crossbars with clamps, rubber gaskets can be placed in the places of their contact.

Video: features of fastening the structure to the car "Oka"

Expedition rack type "basket"

The technology for making an expeditionary luggage rack will be much more complicated. In this case, you will need to draw up a drawing in advance. In addition, you cannot do without a welding machine and the ability to handle metal.

Construction drawing

Take a homemade trunk for a Chevrolet Niva as an example. The length of the trunk will be 163 cm, width - 123 cm.To make an expeditionary trunk, you will need a metal profile 15X15 (approx. 9 rm), 20X20 (approx. 7 rm), 25X25 (approx. 7 rm) and 30X20 (approx. 6 rm.).

An expeditionary trunk for Niva according to this drawing can be done independently

The sequence of actions of the wizard:

1. We start the manufacture of the trunk from the base: we cook the perimeter. Longitudinal guides - from profile 30X20, transverse lintels - from profile 20X20.
2. We weld the bearing lintels from the 30X20 profile into the perimeter. For them, the platform will be attached to the rails.
3. We reduce the distance between the bearing bridges by welding additional transverse ones from the 20X20 profile.
4. We make an arc that will be located in front in order to improve aerodynamics: measure 5 cm from the edges of the profile and cut out a triangular sector, after which we bend the profile. We weld the arc from the outside of the perimeter.
5. To increase the strength of the structure, we fasten the lintels together with 15X15 profile segments. If desired, non-structural lintels can be replaced with metal mesh or stainless steel sheet.
6. We make the sides. Cut the profile into pieces 6–10 cm long and weld to the base. If desired, they can be put on the thread - then the sides and the upper part of the trunk can be removed.
7. It was the turn of the top bar. In terms of its dimensions, it should repeat the lower one, however, the side rails should be slightly shorter, and the struts connecting them to the base are angled to improve aerodynamics.
8. We fix the trunk in the same way as described above. An important point: for an even distribution of weight, the expedition rack should be fixed at six points.

If the car does not have roof rails, you will have to make the supports yourself from a piece of sheet metal. Can be put on brackets, but for this you have to drill the body.

Expedition roof rack features increased functionality compared to conventional roof rack. For example, you can attach fog lights to it - just weld the headlight mounting bracket to the inclined connector at the front (see point 7).

In addition, it is convenient to carry a shovel in the expeditionary trunk. It can be fixed using a conventional pipe holder.

Video: fastening the structure to the SUV

Roof rack: pros and cons

We have already started talking above about the benefits that roof racks provide to the car owner. Now let's look at them in more detail.

Design advantages

Roof racks have many advantages:

• the most obvious plus is by far the extra storage space. So, on the roof you can easily place three bicycles or everything you need for outdoor recreation - a tent, an inflatable boat, fishing equipment, etc. And the capacity of seemingly rather compact boxes can be up to 300-800 liters;
• it becomes possible to carry non-standard, for example, very long loads (such as stairs, boards, pipes, etc.);
• due to the fact that part of the luggage is moved to the roof, it becomes much freer, more comfortable and safer in the cabin;
• the roof rack provides a more even load distribution. So, if all the cargo is in the trunk, the car "sags". This reduces the ground clearance and creates the risk of overturning.

Possible problems

Along with the obvious advantages, roof racks have a number of disadvantages:

• they usually have a negative effect on the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle. An irregularly shaped trunk will create additional resistance to air flows, which means that the stability of the car will also suffer. This can also generate additional noise.
• a car with a roof rack significantly increases its height, which means that it will not be able to drive on sections of the road on which appropriate restrictions are set.
• the trunk itself, even when empty, weighs from 1.5 to 15 kg or more, which increases the total weight of the car and, consequently, fuel consumption. By some estimates, an unloaded trunk increases gas mileage by 0.2 liters per 100 km in urban conditions.

So, you found out what kind of car roof racks are, got acquainted with their advantages and disadvantages, found out how to make some of them yourself. Now you do not have to puzzle over how to place all the tents, spinning rods, backpacks and other equipment in the car - there is a place for all this on the roof of the car. You just have to relax and enjoy the rest. Good luck on the road!

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How to make a roof rack yourself?

The problem of free space in the trunk worries any car owner. If you like to go with your car with the whole family for long trips or with friends, then you cannot do without an additional roof rack.

Such a trunk is called expeditionarybecause you can't put very heavy objects on it, but those things that you will need during the trip - tents, fishing rods, folded bicycles, clothing sets, and so on - all can be easily placed on the roof rack.

This type of trunk is also popular as an autobox. Its main advantage over the expedition one is that all your belongings will be protected from bad weather, and the autobox itself has a streamlined shape and will not affect too much the aerodynamic properties of your car.

Nowadays, cars are rarely equipped with roof racks. Although there are regular places for their installation, as well as roof rails or station wagons.

You can order from the masters or buy a custom-made trunk that will fit your car in size, but this will all be quite expensive. Those people who have the skills to work with metal can make such a rack on their own, if they have all the necessary tools.

Do-it-yourself roof rack

Material selection

First of all, you need to decide on the material. It is clear that the best choice is metal. But you need a metal with low weight and excellent strength characteristics.

The best option is aluminum, because it is lightweight, easy to work with, quite durable and not afraid of corrosion.

You can also use a profile thin-walled tube, it is preferred to install it on domestic SUVs - LADA Niva 4x4 or UAZ Patriot.

Very cheap option - it is sheet stainless steel, it is quite flexible and durable, however, its disadvantage is its weight, which is definitely greater than that of aluminum and metal profiles.

Measurements

When you have decided on the type of metal, you need to make accurate measurements. This will help you calculate the total weight of the future structure, its approximate cost and, of course, the amount of materials.

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It is best not just to measure the length and width of the roof, but immediately draw up a project:

• frame;
• jumpers, which are used to strengthen the structure;
• sides;
• carrier panel - it will be the bottom of your trunk and will also strengthen it.

You can also think of additional elements - to make the front edge along the course of the car streamlined, so as not to greatly disturb the aerodynamics.

Getting started

If you have a detailed plan and scheme of work, then you can consider that the case is half completed.

1. First, the profile is cut using a grinder according to the drawn up scheme.
2. Then the perimeter of the expeditionary trunk is welded - you get a rectangle of a certain size.
3. The perimeter is reinforced with longitudinal jumpers, which are also welded to the resulting base. For greater reinforcement, the longitudinal jumpers are interconnected, resulting in a lattice base - the bottom of your trunk.
4. A rectangular trunk is not very pretty, it can spoil not only the aerodynamics, but also the appearance of your car. Therefore, an arc is usually welded to the front, which is made from the same metal profile.
5. Then they begin to manufacture the sides of the trunk. To do this, cut from the metal racks about 6 centimeters long. It is worth noting that the sides are usually made removable, that is, these racks are best not just welded to the base, but put on the thread. To do this, holes are drilled in the base, into which bushings are then welded. Bushings are needed so that when the bolts are tightened, the metal profile does not deform.
6. The uprights are welded to the top bar, which repeats the base in terms of its parameters, with the only difference that the side bars - left and right - are usually made a little shorter, and the front two uprights connecting the bar and the base are installed at an angle so that your trunk does not look like an ordinary metal box, but followed the contours of the machine. The anterior bow, by the way, is also used for this purpose.
7. Now that the trunk is almost ready, you need to paint it and attach it to the roof of the car. In order for the paint to hold well, first you need to prime all surfaces well and let the primer dry. Then we apply paint, best of all from a spray can - so there will be no drips and it will lie in an even layer.
8. There are many ways to attach such a rack - if you have roof rails, they can easily withstand the weight of the entire structure, and it, as a rule, is 15-20 kilograms. If there are no rails, then you will have to drill the upper part of the body and install the trunk on special brackets. In some cars there are special regular places - recesses for fastening. If you want, you can find various types of fasteners in stores that will allow you not to drill your car.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Expedition Racks

The biggest advantage is the extra space to carry any things you need. The trunk also provides excellent protection against dents and impacts from above.

You can find many other examples of roof racks. Some people just install a few cross rails to which they can attach whatever they want. Also, fog lights are usually installed on such trunks, and a radio antenna is attached. If you're going off-road, the roof is a great place to store essential tools like a shovel or hijack.

However, there are a number of disadvantages:

• deterioration of aerodynamics;
• fuel consumption increases - even small transverse rails can lead to the fact that the consumption in the extra-urban cycle will increase by half a liter-liter;
• noise insulation deteriorates, especially if the mount is not fully thought out;
• if the weight is not properly distributed, handling may be impaired.

It is because of these shortcomings that it is advisable to make such trunks removable, and use them only when necessary.

In this video, you will learn how to make your own car roof rack.

Do-it-yourself roof rack fastening

Often, the customers of the Cybermag store are interested in whether it is possible to install a roof rack on their own or be sure to order work from professionals. Despite the fact that we will gladly offer you installation services, fixing a roof rack to a car roof is still a fairly simple type of work. And if you have a desire, a couple of hours of free time and energy, you can easily cope with the editing yourself.

Before starting work

A high-quality roof rack mount starts with a properly sized roof rack. In our store, you can easily filter products by your car model. That is, the choice is greatly simplified.
Nevertheless, a certain minimum of knowledge is still required. First of all, it is important to decide on the type of attachment. The car can be with rails, and maybe without them. can be attached to regular places or simply to the body and doorway of the car.
As a rule, the manufacturer has already taken care of this. But if you are experiencing difficulties, contact the consultants of "Cybermag", they will help you make the right choice and buy a car roof rack mount that can really be installed on your car.
The second point, which is strange, but still necessary to talk about, is reading the instructions. All roof racks have assembly and installation instructions. And it's worth getting to know it, since in our practice there were cases when people came after an unsuccessful self-installation with a scratched car body. In one hundred percent of cases, they started work without reading the instructions.

Installation rules

If you follow the instructions, you should have no difficulty. It is necessary to assemble the luggage system in stages, and then also to install it on the roof in stages, securely fixing it at each stage.
It is worth following a few rules for attaching the roof rack:

· tighten the fasteners tightly enough, but do not overdo it, so as not to damage the trunk itself and the body;

· observe the maximum permissible load;

· use all the parts that protect the car body;

· do not check the trunk or drive the vehicle until installation is complete.

Very often the question arises, at what distance the trunk arches should be installed. Of course, it all depends on the size of the car, but the classic is considered to be a distance of 650-750 cm. This is the best option for the comfortable movement of different types of goods, so try to keep within this parameter.
Once everything is set up, you can also attach additional equipment, such as a ski carrier, bike carrier or plastic .

Cars are used by drivers to transport goods and items. Due to their compactness, the machines cannot transport long or bulky items. The trunk and interior do not meet the required dimensions. The only way out is to install a roof rack.

Manufacturers, in pursuit of compactness, sacrifice car size. Installing a roof rack removes issues related to the transport of bulky goods. Convenient and practical tool that allows you to use the machine with maximum efficiency. Many people wonder how to install a roof rack?

The roof rack is used to move a variety of goods. Building materials, lumber, fishing gear, rubber boats, bicycles, skis and various household items. There are many models of roof racks on sale, differing in the method of attachment, quality of material and cost.

At the end of the article, you can see an interesting and useful video on how to install a roof rack with your own hands. Supplements the text material and helps you to complete the installation yourself without assistance.

Types of roof racks

Car accessory makers have realized that roof racks are in demand and popular with drivers. For traveling by car, the trunk is an irreplaceable thing. There are many models on sale that differ in design and installation method.

Types of roof racks:

Open type.

It is represented by rectangular open platforms with load securing elements. Low cost budget option.

Convenient for the ability to accommodate bulky cargo. Securely fix all items. Among the disadvantages of an open type trunk, experts note a low level of aerodynamic properties.

Creates additional resistance to the vehicle while driving. Increases significantly.
The cargo is not protected from atmospheric precipitation.

Car luggage box.

They differ in size and type of attachment. Designed for transportation of small-sized cargo and items. Durable plastic is used for manufacturing. You can find special reinforced carbon fiber racks.

The cargo is protected from atmospheric precipitation. Reliable locks keep things and objects in unguarded parking lots. The shape of the roof box reduces air friction. at high speed it increases slightly.

Specialized products.

Designed to move on, small boats, ski equipment. They differ from other types of roof racks in design features. Secure locking system to prevent falling objects.

The roof rack can be installed on your own without assistance or you can rely on professionals. The installation process is not lengthy. If you have the tools you can handle it quickly.

There are many ways to attach your car roof rack. It all depends on the design features of the vehicle.

There are 3 mounting methods:

Regular installation.

Some car models are equipped with elements for securing the trunk. Convenient and practical option. Bolts are used to fix the racks of the product.

Installing the trunk takes no more than five minutes. Experts recommend buying luggage carriers suitable for car models for car models.

Universal installation.

Most cars are not equipped with roof racks. The car carrier is fixed on the gutter elements. The method is time consuming and requires more time than installation using standard mounts.

Fastening on rails.

Almost all cars are equipped with roof rails. Long plastic strips running along the roof surface of the car from the rear to the front glass.

The use of roof rails significantly reduces the complexity of installing the car rack. Some car manufacturers have fitted them with special tabs to simplify installation.

How to choose the right roof rack for your car?

The choice of car carriers is wide and varied. The picky buyer will find the best option. Before buying, you need to decide on a budget. It makes it possible to narrow the range of searches and reduce the time spent.

When choosing a roof rack, pay attention to:

Racks of mounting equipment.

For cars with roof rails, beams and rails of the appropriate length are selected. If the machine is equipped with factory fasteners, special kits must be used for installation work. Securely fixes the roof rack.

Car trunk material.

Cheap models are made of plastic. Impractical material that loses its consumer qualities. It fades in the sun and becomes brittle at low temperatures.

You need to choose steel or aluminum car carriers. Practical, durable and reliable. After prolonged use, they retain their original appearance.

Dimensions.

The volume of the trunk depends on the number of items that can fit in it. Large trunks are convenient and practical, but you will have to pay higher.

Load.

When choosing a luggage carrier, one should not forget that each model has limiting parameters of the load of the transported mass. Failure to comply with this indicator will lead to wear and tear of the trunk and replacement.

Advantages and disadvantages of car roof racks

Car trunk has advantages and disadvantages. It is not ideal and you need to carefully approach the acquisition.

Roof Rack Benefits:

1. Acceptable cost.
2. Versatility.
3. Reliability.
4. Cargo fixation.
5. Opportunity