The outdoors is calling, and you need a way to haul your surfboard, mountain bikes, skis, or just extra gear. A roof rack is great to get you and your stuff where you need to be. No matter if you are heading to the beach, the mountains, or someplace between, your roof rack can deal just about anything nature and the road can throw at you and your truck. Wind and rain, snow and sand, dirt and dust, are no problem, but how do you keep your vehicle and roof rack clean?
Can roof racks go through a car wash? It is not recommended for a roof rack to go through an automatic car wash. There are many parts to your roof rack that can get caught in a carwash. Keeping your roof rack installed when going through an automatic carwash can cause damage to your roof rack and damage the car washing equipment. It is best that you remove the roof rack before washing your car. Removing your roof rack periodically is a good idea for general maintenance in any case.
How Can a Car Wash Damage a Roof Rack?
We all want to keep our vehicles looking good, but how you do so can make a difference to the well-being of your car or truck. Handwashing is best for your car’s finish as well as your roof rack, but there are other options as well.
Because a carwash can cause unexpected damage to your roof rack, it is suggested that you remove your roof rack before washing your car. This is for the safety of your roof rack, as well as the safety of the car washing equipment. Some places may insist you remove your roof rack prior to getting your car washed. To anticipate the type of damage any carwash may cause to your roof rack, let’s look at each type of car wash.
Automatic or tunnel wash
This is the worst option for your roof rack and your vehicle. These are those places where you drive your car onto an assembly line-type belt. Your car is pulled through the tunnel while big blue brushes attack it with soap and water. You then exit under a huge blower. I remember being frightened of these things when I was a kid.
If you run through this carwash with a roof rack installed, you may be terrorized by the many nooks and crannies where the brush fibers can get caught and pull. And, it’s not only your car or truck that can be damaged. If the brushes get stuck in your roof rack, they can rip free or cause the car wash equipment to break.
The ladder in this video could be your roof rack if you decide to leave it installed on your vehicle:
Brushless wash
A brushless wash is a better option, but still not great. This is another place where you drive your vehicle onto an assembly line-type belt. In this case, your car is pulled through the tunnel while huge strips of cloth slather soap and water over your car. They are more gentler than brushes, but still have the potential to cause damage.
Touchless wash
In a touchless wash, washing chemicals are sprayed onto your car under high pressure. Nothing but water and chemicals touch your car. Make sure to dry your car thoroughly and check for places under your roof rack where water can puddle.
Hand wash
This is the best for your car and your roof rack. Handwashing may cost a little more, but the careful attention your car gets can make all the difference. Your car rack might not be in as much danger of getting damaged, but it’s still best to remove it. Again, by removing your roof rack, you protect your car’s finish by preventing water pooling and causing rust.
Should You Remove Your Roof Rack When Not in Use?
If you are not using your roof rack for long periods, it is best to remove it. Manufacturers try to reduce drag by creating more streamlined and aerodynamic automobile models. Your vehicle was not designed with your roof rack in mind. By keeping your roof rack installed, you can reduce your fuel efficiency upwards of 10% or more. Also, having a roof rack adds to wind noise. For a more economical, quieter ride, remove your roof rack.
Can Roof Racks Damage Your Vehicle?
If installed and maintained properly, a roof rack should not cause damage to your vehicle. There are, however, a few things to remember.
- Watch what you load. There’s a limit to how much your rack and your car can handle.
- Make sure everything is tight. No wobbling. Make sure all the nuts and bolts are tightened.
- Take height into consideration. Driving into a garage with bikes on your roof will cause damage to your roof rack, your vehicle, and your garage.
How Do You Maintain Your Roof Rack?
You should remove your roof rack periodically but at least once a year to clean it and check for any damage. Keeping your roof rack well-maintained will make sure it can haul your stuff around for years. Not only is it good for your rack, but it will help your vehicle as well. Here are a few of the basic steps to get you going.
- Remove the rack completely.
- Check for dirt under the pads.
- Wipe everything down.
- Inspect the crossbars for dents, rust, cracks.
- Check for water that may have leaked into the crossbars and dry them out.
- Repair any damage and replace anything that can’t be fixed.
- Seal off the crossbar ends.
- Re-grease and lube up the clamps or hardware.
- Make sure the car, as well as the roof rack, is clean and dry before you reinstall it.
- Read the manual to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. It’s all in there.
Are There Different Types of Roof Racks?
The model of roof rack you need will depend on the type of vehicle you have. Your type of roof rack will vary depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Your vendor or car dealer will be able to point you in the right direction, but I’ve listed the roof types here as a start.
- Naked/Bare Roof: These use a clip system and attach it to the tower.
- Raised Side Rail: Rails have room between the roof and the rail.
- Flushed Side Rail: Rails that are flush to the roof.
- Fixed Point Roof: The connection is hidden in the roof, usually above the window.
- Rain gutters: These are usually found on older model cars and some trucks and SUV’s.
If you’re in the market for a roof rack, check out this video to help aid in your decision making processL
Once you know how you are going to fit your roof rack to your vehicle, you will need to know the parts of the roof rack itself.
- Towers: These are the base of the roof rack. These are what carry the weight. How the towers attach to the car will depend on the type of roof your vehicle has.
- Fitting Parts/Kits: We are talking about how it all fits together Fitting parts could be clips, clamps, or pads. The model roof rack and vehicle will determine which parts you need and if a kit is available.
- Crossbars: The bars that go across the car roof, perpendicular to the rails and towers. They provide balance and help distribute the weight.
If you have a pickup truck, you may be able to install a rack in the bed of your truck. Again, your vendor or car dealer will be able to guide you to the best design for your vehicle and use. Whatever model you have, wherever you mount it, when it’s time to clean your vehicle and roof rack, go for the hand wash.
If you’re thinking of different ways to accessorize your truck or make it more functional, consider checking out my recommended accessories page. I spent a good amount of time picking out mods that can be useful for most pickup trucks.