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CAMPING FOR BEGINNERS
PACK IT ALL IN
Trunk space fills up fast. When that happens,
invest in a roof rack to create room up top.
DEPENDING ON WHAT KIND OF
vehicle you have and how much
gear you are bringing, you may
find that a roof rack comes in
handy for camping trips. Paul
Ning, owner of racktrip.com,
based in Mississauga, Ont.,
noticed a big uptick in business
during the summer of 2020.
“Since Covid-19, people are
concerned about travelling by
plane and staying in a hotel,”
he says. “Last summer, I helped
many customers equip their
vehicles with roof racks for local
camping and travel.”
For car camping trips, Ning
says cargo carrier boxes or roof
baskets work best, although you
can buy specialized racks for
transporting bikes, canoes and
other recreational equipment.
As for what model to choose,
that’s largely determined by your
vehicle. Some have a bare roof,
without any special pre-installed
parts for a racking system; some
have factory-installed raised or
flush side rails; and others have
fixed mounting points. There’s a
rack for every roof, but how do
you ensure quality?
“Try not to pick the cheapest
option,” Ning advises. “You need
to make sure you have the
best fit for your car. The size of
a car’s door edge, the roof slope
and other factors decide how
strong a rack will be. The same
rack will perform differently on
different vehicles.”
He recommends that buyers
check product and manufacturer
reviews, compare warranties
and shop around for pricing.
“For the same car, you may
find a $260 roof rack from a
sporting goods store, and you
can find a $600 rack from a
rack store. You may even pay
$800 at the dealership.
Check different places before
you make a decision.”
Ning says it’s also possible
to assemble a custom roof
rack for just about any vehicle.
While they all come with
detailed installation instructions,
he recommends consulting
a professional if you lack
mechanical skills and are worried
about a safe installation.
Roof Rack Cheat Sheet
Paul Ning from racktrip.com offers a few more useful tips
➊
Look for
aerodynamic
bars shaped like
an aircraft wing
or an elongated
teardrop.
➋
Store the keys
to your roof rack
in the glovebox
so it’s easy to
remember where
they are.
➌
Never secure loads
with a bungee
cord—use multiple
ratchet straps with
one connected
to each bar.
➍
Rack maintenance
is important, so
be sure to oil your
rack locks and
brackets at least
once a year.
➎
Check your roof
rack carefully
before every trip
to spot damage
from previous
excursions.
36 | CAA MAGAZINE
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