Types of Roof Racks
Cross bars: Basic bars that span the roof width. Suitable for kayaks, bikes, and cargo boxes. $200-500 for quality brands.
Platform racks: Full-length flat platforms for heavy and oversized loads. Popular for 4WD owners. Rhino-Rack Pioneer and Rola Titan are Perth favourites. $500-1,500.
Roof baskets: Open mesh baskets for gear bags and camping equipment. $300-800.
Load Ratings
Check your vehicle's roof load rating (found in the owner's manual or on the door jamb sticker). Most vehicles support 75-100kg dynamic load (while driving) and much more static load (when parked).
Aerodynamics and Fuel
Roof racks increase wind resistance and fuel consumption by 5-15%. Remove them when not in use. Aero-profile cross bars minimise this impact.
Popular Perth Uses
Surfboard/paddleboard carriers for weekend beach trips, bike racks for mountain biking in Mundaring, and cargo boxes for family road trips to the South West.