The basic steps to properly and safely secure cargo to the roof of your vehicle are the same whether you re securing your cargo to roof cross bars side rails ladder racks or baskets.
How to tie a box to a roof rack.
It s also crucial to secure your load to guard against movement on all axes front to back side to side and up and down.
Remove your rack when not in use to avoid the added weight drag and noise.
On a related note never tie anything across the roof that exceeds the width of the vehicle beyond either side mirror.
Wood said most roof rack systems for cars have a dynamic roof load of about 165.
By using proper methods you can haul your cargo safely to your destination.
For a video and step by step instructions on how to tie down a kayak please see our article on how to tie down a kayak to a vehicle.
Aside from being dangerous this is illegal in most states.
It s the best way to carry oddly shaped unwieldy and extra items that might not fit in the car but.
Tying a mattress to a car roof falls in a grey area of legality.
Weave rope through the windows and around the mattress at least four times twice in front and and twice in back including the length wise rope already in place.
Nylon rope also works but be prepared to tie some trucker s knots.
Movement and tie downs.
It s important to use the right tie downs and place the item correctly on the roof rack if you want to avoid damaging your cargo or causing an accident.
Tie the rope that you placed the mattress on in place.
Assess your rack situation.
Improper tie down practices are all too common and many accidents and injuries happen because someone didn t take their time loading cargo on the roof of the car.
When you own a car at some point or another you re going to want to put things on your roof.
There are really three kinds of scenarios for your roof wood said.
Tie each section firmly.
Roof racks have been known to fail at high speeds with lots of updraft so take the extra precaution of tying the roof rack down to the roof of the vehicle as well.
Is tying a mattress to a car legal.