Roof Rack Load Ratings Explained

Overloading your roof is illegal and dangerous, so understanding roof rack load limits is crucial. A roof rack load rating is the maximum weight your vehicle’s roof rack can safely carry.

Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about roof rack load ratings so you can haul your gear safely.

 

Quick Summary

• A roof rack load rating is the maximum weight your roof rack is rated to safely carry
• A vehicle also has a roof load rating, known as the Roof Loading Capacity rating or Gross Combined Mass (GCM)
• Your true roof limit is determined by your setup’s lowest rated component
• Exceeding the maximum weight of your vehicle’s roof or roof rack can lead to accidents, injury, and voided insurance claims
• Check the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer to determine your roof rack load rating
• Static load ratings refer to how much a vehicle can hold while stationary
• Dynamic load ratings refer to how much a vehicle can safely haul while moving
• Off-road load ratings decrease significantly due to the additional stress and forces placed on a vehicle on unsealed roads

 

What Is a Roof Rack Load Rating?

Your roof rack load rating is the maximum weight the manufacturer says your specific roof rack can safely carry. Always check this rating and make sure the combined weight of your roof rack and any gear you’re carrying stays within the limit.

You also need to consider your vehicle’s GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass), as the weight carried on your roof contributes to the vehicle’s overall loaded weight.

Exceeding roof rack load ratings can:

• Lead to poor vehicle handling
• Increase the chance of an accident
• Void insurance claims
• Damage your vehicle’s roof

Learn more about the risks of exceeding vehicle load ratings here: Illegal And Overloaded.

 

Key Load Rating Types

Dynamic (On-Road)

Dynamic load rating refers to how much you can carry “while driving” or while in motion. This rating is particularly important if you are interested in installing a rooftop tent.

Off-Road

An off-road roof rack rating refers to how much weight can be safely hauled when travelling on unsealed roads. The extra tension, bouncing, and rugged terrain mean off-road roof rack ratings are lower than on-road ratings.

Static

Static load rating refers to the maximum weight your vehicle roof can support when parked. Without motion, the weight distribution stays even, which is why static load ratings are usually higher than dynamic ratings.

Static vs Dynamic Load Ratings

	Static (Stationary/Parked)	Dynamic (While Driving)
Definition	The maximum weight your roof rack can support when the vehicle is stationary	The maximum weight your roof racks can safely carry while in motion
Importance	Gravity acts straight down, so the roof rack can handle more weight	Wind, bumps, accelerating, braking, and other forces multiply the weight of your gear when the vehicle is moving
Use	Ideal for rooftop tents where the roof rack needs to hold people, mattresses, and gear while parked overnight	Safely hauling gear and accessories on your roof rack
Typical Weight Limit	Usually 3 to 5 times the dynamic load limit	50 kg to 100 kg

 

On-Road vs Off-Road Load Ratings

Most vehicle manufacturers set load ratings based on sealed roads, known as the on-road load rating. Once you head out off-roading and navigate rough terrain, the stress and force on your roof increases.

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This added stress is why many manufacturers decrease their load rating significantly for off-road use.

At Tracklander, all of our roof racks are 100% off-road load rated. This means you can count on full load capacity, even when leaving sealed roads.

 

Legal Considerations in Australia for Load Ratings

Transport authorities in Australia enforce strict load limits. Legal risks of exceeding load ratings in Australia include:

• Fines (can be over $1000 in some cases)
• Penalties for each offence
• Voided insurance coverage in the event of damage

 

 

How to Calculate Your Car’s Safe Payload

1. Find Limits

The first step in calculating your car’s safe payload is checking the owner’s manual. It should list manufacturer specifications for a weight limit for the roof. Next, check the owner’s manual for the load rating of your roof rack.

The lower of these two numbers will be your maximum weight. At Tracklander, we make this process even easier by engineering our roof racks to match the roof load rating of your vehicle.

2. Weigh the System

Add up the entire weight of all components, such as:

• Your roof rack system
• Feet
• Crossbars
• Platform
• Mounts

3. Subtract and Adjust

Take your lowest maximum load rating from step 1 and subtract the weight of the empty rack system. If you plan to leave sealed roads, apply off-road reduction multipliers if applicable.

 

Choose a Roof Rack With the Right Load Rating

Tracklander roof racks are built to make the most of your vehicle’s available roof load capacity. Our racks are rated up to 200 kg off-road and are 100% off-road load rated, meaning the rack’s stated capacity doesn’t automatically drop when you leave sealed roads.*

We engineer our roof racks to match the full roof load capacity recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. So whether you’re touring on-road, travelling over corrugations or heading off-road, you can choose a rack designed to handle the conditions without unnecessarily sacrificing carrying capacity.

Your vehicle’s own roof load rating still sets the limit, and ratings can vary between makes and models. Always check your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications before loading your roof.

Ready to find the right roof rack for your vehicle? Use our Fit My Vehicle tool to see compatible Tracklander roof racks and load ratings, or contact our team for help choosing the right setup.

*Load ratings depend on the vehicle make, model and roof configuration. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s specified roof load limits.

 

 

FAQs

What are roof rack load ratings?

A roof rack load rating refers to the maximum weight your roof rack can haul. Even if your vehicle roof is rated to a high amount, it is crucial to check the roof rack load rating

Always check your manufacturer’s load ratings, for both your roof rack and vehicle, before loading up.

How much gear and weight can I safely put on my car’s roof rack?

Your safe weight limit is the lowest rating of either the roof rack system or your vehicle roof. When adding up your total, make sure it includes the weight of the roof rack itself and any gear or accessories.

How are roof rack load ratings determined and tested?

Roof rack load ratings are tested and determined by manufacturers. They simulate stress, vibrations, road conditions, emergency braking, crash impacts, and other scenarios to test the structural integrity of each unit. 

What is the difference between static and dynamic roof rack load ratings?

The static roof rack load is how much your vehicle can support when it isn’t moving. Dynamic load refers to the maximum weight it can safely carry while moving.

Where can I find my vehicle’s roof load rating and how to read it?

To find your vehicle’s roof load rating, check the owner’s manual for the weight your roof can support. Call or email the vehicle’s manufacturer if you have questions or need further technical specifications.

What other factors besides the rated capacity affect safe roof loading?

Other factors that can affect safe load rating include:

• Wind speed: High winds can create uplift or sideways flow that can add additional stress to the roof rack.
• How you distribute weight: Placing an especially compact, heavy item (such as an HVAC unit) in one area places additional stress on framing components.
• Vehicle condition: A vehicle with wear and tear, roof damage, or rusted components can weaken roof strength over time.

How do I know if my vehicle is rooftop tent ready?

To make sure your vehicle is rooftop tent ready:

• Check your vehicle roof’s load rating (make sure to check both the static and dynamic ratings)
• Check your roof rack’s load rating and ensure it is rated for rooftop tents
• Factor in the tent itself along with the rack system, accessories, gear, ladders, etc.
• For the static roof rack load rating, don’t forget to factor in the weight of the people who will be using the tent
• Check Australia and NZ legal rooftop weight limits