What are car roof weight limits?
Tuesday 26th September 2023
If you are looking to go on your next road trip, then you may be wondering if you can use your vehicle’s roof for some extra storage. The answer is yes. Roof racks are designed to hold various items that can be secured to the beams across the top of your vehicle. But, how much weight can your car roof hold?
What can you carry on your car roof?
Before you start to load your car roof, it is important to be aware of what you can legally carry on your car roof in the UK. Depending on the type of roof rack, they can typically hold the following:
- Bicycles
- Camping gear
- Luggage
- Sports equipment (kayaks, surfboards, canoes, water skis etc)
Types of roof loads
There are two main weight ratings you should be aware of. These include:
- Static weight
- Dynamic weight
What is a static weight roof load?
This refers to how much weight your vehicle can safely hold when your vehicle is stationary. It is determined by the structural integrity of the car’s roof such as the design and the material.
What is a dynamic weight roof load?
This refers to the extra weight that impacts the roof of a car whilst in motion and goes beyond the static weight limit. Any movement from items on the roof as well as wind resistance can cause the load to become lighter or heavier at any moment, which can significantly impact the safety and handling of your car. Reducing your speed when travelling at speed in adverse weather conditions, will mitigate the impact of wind resistance on the dynamic roof load.
How much weight can I put on the roof of my car?
The weight the roof of your car can hold will depend on the manufacturer’s guidelines. This can be found in your car manual or on the vehicle manufacturer's website.
We recommend that you always adhere to the weight limit outlined in your vehicle manual, as exceeding the weight limit can cause damage to your vehicle and can be dangerous when driving.
How should weight be carried on a roof rack?
According to Rule 98 of The Highway Code,
“you?MUST?secure your load and it?MUST NOT?stick out dangerously.”
It is also important to remember that the weight of the roof rack should be included in the weight your vehicle can hold. We recommend you:
- Weigh everything your vehicle will be carrying beforehand
- Ensure the front of the load is safely secure as airflow will try to lift the front of the load up
- Ensure the rear is safely secure to prevent a heavy load from sliding forward when braking
- Stop regularly to ensure straps and ropes haven’t come loose
- Aim to carry heavier items inside the car and lighter bulkier loads on the roof
- Consider the extra height of your vehicle as additional items on the roof can limit entry to car parks
- Ensure any items on the roof do not obstruct your vision in any way
- Ensure items on the roof do not exceed more than 100kg
Before setting off on your trip, ensure your vehicle is properly maintained and book in for a car service at your local Formula One Autocentre. For more information, contact our expert mechanics today.
