With many family hitting the road next week for the Midterm using a roof box is a great way to gain some much needed space so we have some tips for travelling with an extra load writes Geraldine Herbert
Tips for safer roof box driving:
- Check your car’s manual to make sure that the load, including the weight of the roof rack itself, doesn’t exceed the maximum. This limit tends to be quite low.
- Ensure that your load is securely attached and that it doesn’t stick out creating a hazard.
- Under heavy breaking the load will tend to slide forwards so make sure it is well secured and while on the road the airflow will be trying to lift the front of any long load so a secure fixing, holding the front of the load down is important.
- A roof box can alter your car’s centre of gravity so take corners at a lower speed.
- As you travel the fixings may became loose so ensure you stop, check and re-secure regularly.
- Don’t forget the extra height and take care in particular when entering covered car parks.
- Check your tyre pressures – consult the manual to see if you need to increase or decrease your tyre pressures to cope with the extra weight.
- Be aware that a fully loaded car (with or without a roof box) will require more breaking distances.
Geraldine Herbert
16th February, 2017
