South Africans love a road trip and the upcoming festive season will once again see thousands of motorists flock to holiday destinations all across the country.
Regardless whether you drive a compact hatchback or a large SUV, packing space always seems to be at a premium.
Thule, the Swedish manufacturer of vehicle accessories, might have just the solution you are looking for. Thule’s range of rooftop cargo carriers can add up to 610 litres of additional packing space to most vehicles available on the South African market.
A rooftop cargo carrier offers a number of advantages over the traditional luggage trailer. Rooftop cargo carriers require no licensing, tow bar and don’t take up nearly as much space. Trailers are difficult to manoeuvre and often holiday accommodation does not cater for the parking requirements of a vehicle and trailer combination.
No tow bar, no problem
If your car is not fitted with a tow bar, or is not able to be fitted with a tow bar, which is often the case with sporty models that feature extensive exhaust systems, a rooftop cargo carrier is the easiest way to expand its load carrying capacity. Thule has roof bars and foot packs on which the rooftop cargo carrier rests available for nearly all vehicles sold in South Africa. These roof bars can also accommodate a variety of accessories alongside the rooftop cargo carrier, ensuring that all your leisure equipment is safely transported to your holiday destination.
Even if your car is fitted with a tow bar a rooftop cargo carrier is still a good idea as it frees up the tow bar for other duties, such as the fitment of a Thule bicycle rack or even your motorcycle trailer or caravan. Carrying bicycles behind the car is also the most effective way to do so and will have the least effect on the cars aerodynamic performance and fuel consumption.
Leave nothing behind
Thule’s rooftop cargo carriers are available in a variety of sizes from 360 to 610 litres, so even at the smaller end of the spectrum that means doubling the boot space of an average hatchback or compact SUV. A variety of lengths means that these rooftop cargo carriers can even swallow longer items such as golf clubs, beach umbrellas or a pram, items which don’t fit into many boots or if they do, they leave little space for anything else.
Once at your holiday destination the rooftop cargo carrier is great for transporting soiled items like wetsuits and sandy beach wear, which will help minimise the accumulation of holiday dirt inside your car.
Cost saving benefits
It is well known that towing a trailer can dramatically increase a vehicles fuel consumption, especially when it is towed behind smaller, less powerful vehicles.
Utilising a rooftop cargo carrier is an extremely cost effective way of expanding your vehicles luggage carrying capacity. Thule’s rooftop cargo carriers have been designed with optimum aerodynamics in mind, meaning the effect on your fuel consumption will be negligible if any, which is a big advantage given the current inflated fuel prices.
Economic pressures have also seen many motorists downsize their vehicles to smaller, more fuel efficient models. The use of a rooftop cargo carrier allows motorists to transform these compact models into more practical holidaying solutions, with the increased luggage space now making city runabouts suitable for holiday adventures.
Peace of mind motoring
Thule’s rooftop cargo carriers are completely secure, with well-developed latches locking the carrier as well as securing the carrier to the roof of your vehicle. Thule’s designers work hand in hand with vehicle manufacturers to ensure that the boxes as well as the bars on which they are mounted fit seamlessly onto the vehicle, with no permanent modifications needed, which means their fitment will not affect your vehicle’s warranty.
Thule’s wide range of rooftop cargo carriers, bicycle racks, accessories and luggage are available from Thule Concept stores located throughout South Africa.
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