It's easy to get excited about getting your roof box cargo carrier ready for an upcoming event. With that said, don't let this excitement lead you to incorrectly pack your cargo carrier.
Generally speaking, it's easy and convenient to place items inside of your roof box. However, it's also possible to accidentally make a few mistakes. Fortunately, you can avoid making any mistakes by learning how to pack a roof box cargo carrier.
1. Check weight limits before you pack a roof box cargo carrier
Every roof box cargo carrier features a weight limit. This weight limit helps roof box owners know how much cargo they can safely store in one of these items. With that in mind, one of the most important things to remember is the weight limit of your roof box.
Most companies that manufacture roof boxes place weight limits for these items in plain view. If you're having trouble finding out the weight limit of your roof box, find and take a look inside of your owner's manual.
When you find the weight limit information, try not to "cut it close" while packing. Remember, it's essential to factor in the weight of a roof box itself while packing.
2. Place the heaviest items in your car
As you start packing for an upcoming road trip, there will be some items that are heavier than others. A few notably bulky and heavy items include coolers filled with water, ice, and food. You might also have a few other heavy items that need to be brought along for the ride.
Instead of trying to place these items in your roof box cargo carrier, it's better to store heavier items inside of your automobile. It's possible for your cargo carrier to store these items well. But, storing heavy things in a roof box sometimes makes it hard to know if you're going over any weight limits.
3. Keep items you expect to use inside of your vehicle
While you're getting ready to pack your vehicle and roof box cargo carrier, it's understandable to be unsure of which items need to go where. If you're having trouble deciding where to store certain items, think of how often you'll need access to them.
When you come across items you'll need access to, it's best to place them inside of your vehicle. Next, place any items that you don't expect to use inside of your roof box cargo carrier.
4. Make sure to evenly distribute the weight of your cargo
Roof box cargo carriers are great items that are extremely convenient. But, like almost any other product, it can have a few drawbacks. One of these drawbacks is driving with a roof box on your vehicle that's making noise.
In most cases, these noises aren't causes for concern. It's usually happening due to uneven weight distribution. Without distributing the weight of cargo in your roof box evenly, it's going to cause items to move around.
If the items in your roof cargo carrier box are moving, it often creates that all-too-familiar knocking noise that roof box owners sometimes hear while traveling. Here are more tips to help you stop your roof box from making noise.
5. Use the straps in your roof box cargo carrier
It's understandable to have certain items inside of your roof box that are more valuable or fragile than others. Fortunately, certain roof box carriers contain straps or other types of holders to provide extra security.
If you have a few items that you don't want moving around, it's best to choose a roof cargo box that offers internal straps or holders. In the event that your roof box doesn't have any internal straps, it's probably best to move these items inside of your car.
6. Try to keep the locking system of your roof box cargo carrier clear
Most roof boxes will contain a locking mechanism. This feature helps ensure that everything inside of your roof box remains safe and secure. Considering that, it's important to leave a small amount of room around this device's locking mechanism.
Unfortunately, some people will try to fit as much cargo into these boxes as possible. If you do this, it might result in you unintentionally blocking the locking mechanism of your roof box. This is incredibly dangerous, as it might result in your roof box suddenly springing open while you're driving.
7. Pack longer items in a roof box cargo carrier
Depending on what your upcoming trip entails, you might find yourself bringing along skis, snowboards, and similar items. While these items are a lot of fun, they're not always the easiest things to store in your car. Trying to place these things in your vehicle might lead to visibility issues and an uncomfortable ride for your other passengers.
Fortunately, a roof box cargo carrier can be a great way to store longer items. With that in mind, if you plan on bringing along items like skis and snowboards, make sure you buy a roof box cargo with the right length dimensions.
To find out more about which carriers are best for storing long items, make sure to check out our reviews of popular roof boxes. The Roof Boxes regularly reviews popular roof boxes from companies like Thule, Subaru, and many others.
8. Wrap your items in plastic for extra peace of mind
Roof boxes are items that provide security for your belongings and peace of mind for you. However, unless it's specifically listed as waterproof, there's a chance that a bit of water or snow might make its way inside of your roof box.
Don't worry; you can still travel with a roof box in the rain and keep your items nice and dry. To do this, take a few minutes before you leave and get some plastic wrap. Next, wrap this material around anything that must stay dry in your roof box.
If you want to find out more about keeping your items safe, check out one of our recent posts about waterproof roof boxes.
9. Tie or strap down your roof box cargo carrier
After you store everything safely and securely inside of your roof box, you might want a little extra peace of mind that you'll be driving safely. To get a little extra peace of mind, it might be beneficial to use tie-down straps to secure your roof box cargo carrier.
If you have straps or bungee cords in your home, these make great material for the purpose of securing your roof box cargo carrier. You can also find bungee cords or similar materials at most automotive stores.
10. Take your time when packing a roof box cargo carrier
One of the best tips to keep in mind as you're packing a roof box cargo carrier is to take your time. If not, it could lead to a poorly packed roof box that's going to make lots of noise. It can also result in making avoidable mistakes like forgetting to shut or lock your roof box.
By taking your time, you can double-check that everything in your roof box is where it needs to be. You can also use this extra time to tie down your roof box or use this item's internal straps to secure your valuable belongings.
11. Check the weather conditions
While you're packing your roof box cargo carrier, it's a good idea to take a few minutes and check the weather conditions. Whether you're going on a local drive or a cross-country road trip, it's always beneficial to check weather conditions.
Hopefully, you get to travel under clear and sunny skies. However, this might not always be the case. If you're going to be driving in wet or otherwise dangerous conditions, it might be best to transport your valuable belongings in your car.
12. Drive safely
This last tip might seem a little strange when speaking about how to pack a roof box cargo carrier. However, it's imperative to remember that driving unsafely can undo all of your hard work spent packing your roof box cargo carrier. It's also incredibly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
If you're someone that likes to drive a little fast, make sure to slow things down a bit when driving with a roof box on top of your car. Also, keep a close eye on the weather conditions while traveling with a roof box. Lastly, try to avoid following other vehicles too closely or engaging in any behavior that risks you having to make a sudden stop.
To wrap everything up, it's beneficial to learn how to pack a roof box cargo carrier. By following the previously mentioned tips, you'll have an expertly packed roof box. Plus, you won't have to worry about a wobbly or noisy roof cargo carrier. If you want to know more about roof boxes, visit theroofboxes.com. This website features a wide range of content for anyone interested in roof boxes.