How to Keep Your Cargo Box Protected

If you’re like most people, you use your roof box to transport items that don’t fit inside your vehicle. Whether it’s a piece of furniture you bought at a garage sale or camping gear for an upcoming trip, your roof box is a valuable asset. But if you’re not careful, that asset can quickly turn into a liability. Follow these 7 tips to protect your roof box and keep it in good condition for years to come.

With the right roof box, you can make sure no item is left behind – not your camping gear for a weekend getaway or even that cool piece of furniture from the garage sale. Roof boxes are godsent and there is no doubt about it. But without proper care, even the most dependable car accessory will eventually become more of an albatross than asset!

Use Anchors to Hold the Carrier Down

Your roof box won’t do you much good if it’s bouncing around on the roof of your car. Make sure that you use the right anchors to hold it in place.

Many vehicles come with pre-installed roof rack crossbars, which are perfect for using with a roof box. If your vehicle doesn’t have these bars, you can buy them as an optional extra from the car dealership or aftermarket supplier.

Once you have the crossbars, make sure to install them according to the instructions in your carrier’s handbook. And be sure to use the anchors that came with the roof box – not just any old anchors will do.

Use plastic bags to pack smaller items otherwise, they will move around in the roof box and might damage other items. You can use Cargo anchors to keep things secure while on the move.

Cargo anchors are great products to buy because they are specifically made to keep cargo boxes secure. You can either screw them into the floor of your roof box or use the included straps to attach them to the sides.

It is important to tie up all your bags and boxes during the travel because you never know when you might have to apply the brakes suddenly. Besides that, you need to make sure that all the heavier items are placed at the fore or aft of the roof box, so that the weight is evenly distributed. This will keep the box from bouncing around and potentially causing damage.

Tires Pressure

There is absolutely no need to put too much pressure on your vehicle because it will definitely have an impact on the performance of the vehicle sooner or later. If your roof box is too heavy, it can put unnecessary pressure on your vehicle’s tires. This can lead to blown-out tires and other serious problems. Make sure that the total weight of your roof box and its contents doesn’t exceed the weight limit specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

To compensate for the additional weight, you’ll need to adjust your tire pressure. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find out how much air pressure you should put in your tires when the roof box is loaded.

Carrying heavy goods might have an impact on gas milage, wind resistance and a variety of other factors. Checking your tire pressure on a regular basis is one thing you may do to compensate for this, but especially before you set out on your journey.

What you should look for is the recommended inflation pressure number, not the maximum inflation pressure. You’ll need to inflate your tires to this pressure when the roof box is loaded, not just when the car is empty.

The vehicle’s owner’s handbook and the carrier’s handbook both might be of assistance, but if the figures are mismatched, you should always use the numbers specified in the carrier’s instructions.

Measure Time and Again

It’s important to measure your roof box and your vehicle before you buy either one. This way, you’ll be sure that the roof box will fit on your car.

Many roof boxes are designed for a specific vehicle type or size. If you try to use a roof box that’s too big or too small for your vehicle, it could damage the roof of your car – not to mention the roof box itself.

Measure the height, width and length of both the roof box and your car. Make sure that the roof box is narrower than your car, and that its height is less than the maximum height allowed by your vehicle manufacturer.

Use a Roof Box Liner

A roof box liner is a great way to keep your roof box clean and protected. It’s a thin, padded mat that goes inside the roof box and prevents your luggage from scratching the surface of the box.

Roof box liners are inexpensive and easy to find. You can buy them at most automotive stores or online.

Don’t Overstuff Roof Box

It might be tempting to cram as much as you can into your roof box, but don’t do it! Overfilling the box can cause it to fly off the car or, even worse, to blow out a tire.

When packing your roof box, make sure to distribute the weight evenly. And remember that heavier items should go towards the front of the box and lighter items should go towards the back.

Keep the Lid Open When Not in Use

When you’re not using your roof box, leave the lid open. This will allow air to circulate and will help to prevent moisture from building up inside the box.

Moisture can cause rust and damage to your luggage – not to mention the roof box itself. So it’s important to take a few minutes to open the lid every time you’re not using the box.

Keep the Box Clean

It’s important to keep your roof box clean. Not only will this make it look nicer, but it will also help to prevent rust and corrosion.

Wipe down the inside and outside of the box after every trip. This will remove any dirt, dust or debris that might have accumulated. And be sure to check for any signs of rust or corrosion, and repair them immediately.

Be sure to clean the inside of the box as well. This will help to prevent any moisture from building up and causing damage.

Inspect Regularly

Inspect your roof box regularly for damage. Look for dents, scratches or any other signs of wear and tear. If you find any damage, repair it immediately. Fixing a roof box is not complicated, but it’s something that should be done as soon as possible.

Remember, a damaged roof box can cause damage to your car – and your belongings.