Roof cargo carriers are installed to manage extra luggage for special occasions or trips. However, following installation, drivers must adhere to certain restrictions to ensure the vehicle’s safety.
One of these restrictions would be the speed at which you can drive your car safely.
In this article, we discuss the speed limit that you can drive your car with a roof cargo carrier mounted, and how it can affect your ride’s safety.
Briefly: Most roof cargo carrier manufacturers advise not to exceed the 80-90 mph mark while having a rooftop carrier mounted, due to certain changes to your vehicle that we will be mentioning in this article.
How Can You Travel Safely With A Roof Cargo Carrier?
To travel safely and with a calm mind, there are a few things you need to take into consideration to insure a safer experience with your roof cargo carrier.
Follow The manufacturer’s Guidelines
The manufacturer will have tested their product and hence should be the best qualified to determine whether a specific speed restriction for that particular box is required.
It is critical to follow the specified weight limits for your storage box. Overloading the box puts it under unnecessary strain and raises the chances of it popping open when moving at high speeds.
Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual as well not only the box manual to ensure that you aren’t exceeding the weight restriction for your roof.
Remember that the weight limit of your roof applies to everything on it, including the box, the rack, and the weight of your items.
Choosing And Installing The Roof Cargo Carrier Probably
Possibly the most crucial step. We always recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions for properly mounting the roof box or the roof rack and using the included hardware as well.
Try to get a roof box that is the right size for your car and also compatible. If at all possible, strive to get the most aerodynamic box you can find, and nonetheless, avoid a box that will overhang your windscreen, as this will have a higher impact on the overall aerodynamics of your vehicle.
Falling short in mounting or picking your roof cargo carrier probably would result in major problems, especially at high speeds, for more information please refer to our article on How To Probably Choose And Install A Roof Rack?
Make Sure That The Box Is Closed Probably
Verify that the box is correctly closed and locked. You don’t want to be in a position where the box pops open while you’re driving down the road. It might not be a bad idea to invest in an extra strap or two to keep the lid firmly closed and secure.
Additionally, you should double-check the locks to prevent any theft from happening. Check our article in case you are wondering if My Roof Box Can Get Stolen?
How Does A Roof Cargo Carrier Affect Your Car?
Fuel Economy
Aside from any safety concerns, sticking to speed restrictions will significantly improve your fuel efficiency. Most vehicles will find a middle ground between 50 and 60 mph. As you exceed 70 mph, you will observe a big difference in MPG.
Mounting a roof cargo carrier is likely to increase your MPG. Some studies have found that adding a roof box might reduce fuel economy by up to 35%. For more information feel free to check our article Can A Roof Box Increase My Fuel Consumption?
Wind Noise
Driving on the highway with your roof cargo box would develop some kind of wind noise which decreases as the more aerodynamic your roof box is, for an in-depth look regarding Roof Box wind noise and how to stop it check our article on How To Stop Roof Box Wind Noise?
Higher Center Of Gravity
The center of gravity shifts as the height increases, as does the balancing position. Due to that, you will most certainly notice differences in how your car handles, especially at higher speeds.
So when taking tight corners be careful not to roll over your vehicle especially if you are driving an SUV.
Possible Damage To Your Car’s Roof
Driving at high speeds with a roof box installed can be an extremely risky and costly endeavor. The supplementary weight of the roof box and the wind resistance it generates can place immense stress on the roof of the car, leading to potentially dangerous consequences.
It’s crucial to recognize the hazards of driving at high speeds with a roof box and to exercise caution to guarantee the safety of the driver and others on the road. This involves examining the roof box before embarking on a journey and frequently tightening the mounting hardware to ensure it remains steadfast.
It’s recommended to avoid driving at high speeds with a roof box, as the risks of damage to the roof, wind noise and turbulence, and instability increase dramatically. Drivers must also be cautious and aware of their driving and the additional wind resistance, exhibiting extra care when changing lanes or merging.
What To Do To Drive Safer With a Roof Cargo Carrier?
- It’s worth checking to see whether your vehicle insurance covers your storage box and its contents.
- Keep in mind that the additional weight you’re carrying means your vehicle will take longer to accelerate and, more crucially, longer to slow down so try to avoid tailing other vehicles on the highway.
- Check that everything is still firmly attached to your roof when taking rest stops.
Conclusion: How Fast You Can Safely Drive With A Roof Box?
In conclusion, driving with a roof cargo carrier can be a safe and enjoyable experience, as long as you take the necessary precautions. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, ensure proper installation, and secure your box before driving.
Be aware of the changes to your car, including increased fuel consumption, wind noise, and a higher center of gravity. Driving at high speeds should be avoided to prevent damage to the roof and to ensure safety for the driver and other road users.
Take extra caution when changing lanes or merging, and make sure to check your vehicle insurance coverage. Remember to check that everything is still firmly attached during rest stops and to avoid tailing other vehicles on the highway due to longer braking times.
By taking these steps, you can enjoy a safe and hassle-free trip with your roof cargo carrier.
With that being said we come to the answer for the question we have in our hand, How Fast You Can Safely Drive With A Roof Box?
We recommend not going over 90 mph with a cargo roof carrier on the roof especially if you are driving on an unfamiliar road due to the many reasons showcased earlier in the article.
Driving at a certain speed does come with some advantages to your ride’s quality as well, which is another reason to just drive decently and enjoy the trip.
If you’re still thinking about whether a roof box is worth it or not, be sure to read our article.
Finally, We hope that our small article is simple, useful, and enjoyable. If so feel free to support us by sharing as it motivates us to produce more content.
