Car roof bars: buying guide

How to choose car roof bars

Car roof bars are an essential accessory for those who love traveling by car. Every adventure often involves numerous luggage items that can compromise the available space inside the car.

Roof bars become crucial to avoid having to give up carrying everything you need. To ensure you make the most suitable choice for your needs, here's a guide on what you should consider before making the purchase.

Choosing car roof bars: key considerations

• Vehicle compatibility
  First and foremost, it's essential to check the compatibility of the roof bars with your car model. From our website, through the roof rack and accessories configurator, you can determine which model is compatible with your car and compare the features of the different solutions offered.
• Types of roof bars
  There are different types of roof bars that attach differently depending on the type of car roof: normal roof, flush railing, or integrated profile.




• Material and strength
  The quality of the roof bar material is crucial to ensure strength and durability over time. There are roof bars made of different materials, such as aluminum and steel. Aluminum roof bars are lightweight and modern. Steel ones, on the other hand, are sturdy and capable of supporting heavier loads.
  
  Aluminum models are also designed with aerodynamic profiles to reduce air resistance and, consequently, limit fuel consumption increase. Considering this aspect is important for those who frequently travel long distances.
• Mounting system
  An easy and practical mounting system is essential to save time and effort during the installation of roof bars.
  Nordrive roof bars ensure easy installation even for the less experienced.
• Load capacity
  Every vehicle specifies in the owner's manual the maximum roof capacity. It is therefore essential to verify that the sum of the weight of the attachments and bars, added to the weight of the accessory (such as the roof box, bike carrier, roof platform, etc.), together with the weight of the load to be transported (luggage, bicycles, etc.), does not exceed the maximum limit indicated in the manual.
  
  Additionally, roof bars also have a maximum load capacity relative to the load they can support, which you can find in the instruction manual or directly on our website.
• Accessory fixing
  For mounting the accessory on the roof bars, it is advisable to consider how it will be attached to them. Some roof bar models feature a T-slot on top, allowing for practical mounting of accessories. Alternatively, there are accessories for cargo fastening, such as fastening brackets that grip the outer profile of the bars.

If, instead, you're looking for carrying systems for commercial vehicles, read the article roof basket and roof racks: differences to discover the functionality and structure of these systems.

More information

Before proceeding with the purchase, take the time to evaluate your specific needs, vehicle compatibility, and the quality of the material that best suits your needs. For more information, consult the FAQ and do not hesitate to a contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions!