Western Australia’s Northwest region offers a breathtaking landscape for intrepid off-road adventurers. Its rugged terrain and striking beauty make it a magnet for those seeking an unforgettable journey. However, when navigating these demanding terrains, your equipment’s quality can become a matter of life and death. In this article, we explore the potential perils of utilizing a subpar roof rack during off-road excursions in WA’s Northwest, where help can be hundreds of kilometres away.
Safety at Stake
Safety should always be your foremost concern when tackling remote and challenging country. A low-quality roof rack may compromise safety in several ways, a fact made more ominous by the region’s isolated nature:
Instability: Many roof racks have been known to break or shift under the duress of rugged conditions in the Northwest, endangering both the driver and other road users.
Reduced Load Capacity: Some roof racks have weight limits, and it is essential to teak these into account. Roof racks that are not designed for off road conditions may not handle the load, ultimately leading to failure.
Impaired Handling: A poorly designed or ill-fitted roof rack can negatively impact your vehicle’s handling, especially when navigating treacherous terrains. This often doesn’t end well.
Gear in Jeopardy
Such off-road adventures often entail transporting valuable equipment like camping/fishing gear, and outdoor accessories. Roof rack failure may subject this valuable gear to excessive vibration, damage or even loss.
Vehicle Damage
In addition to jeopardizing your gear, a poorly designed roof rack can also harm your vehicle. Scratches and Dents from ill-fitting or insecure roof racks are commonplace. Rust stains from corrosion and door / rubber seal damage from inadequately fitting clamps are all things to be avoided. They can be both costly and frustrating to address. Over time, the strain placed on your vehicle’s roof by a low-quality roof rack – twisting action from dips and washaways as well as the constant vibration from the abundant corrugations- may lead to structural damage. Not what you want.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency
An inefficiently designed roof rack can increase aerodynamic drag, leading to decreased fuel efficiency. In the remote areas, where fuel stations can be few and far this can be a worry that you could do without
Added Stress and Anxiety
Embarking on an off-road journey in the Northwest should be an exciting adventure, but a poor roof rack can turn it into a nightmare of stress and frustration: You might end up making frequent stops to check and adjust your gear and the tightness of bolts etc. Obviously, some periodic checking is essential but there’s not much that will rob you of the joy of your trip more than a constant worry that something bad is about to happen. It’s difficult to relish the Northwest’s awe-inspiring landscapes with a preoccupied mind
Conclusion
When venturing off-road in Western Australia’s Northwest, investing in a high-quality roof rack is an absolute necessity. The potential consequences of relying on a subpar roof rack, from compromised safety to damaged gear and vehicles, are further exacerbated by the region’s remoteness. To fully appreciate the rugged beauty of this land and navigate its challenging terrains with peace of mind, equip yourself with a sturdy, reliable roof rack that can withstand the rigors of off-roading. Your safety, gear, and tranquillity will depend on it, especially in a region where help can be hundreds of kilometres away.
What is the best roof rack for you?
We are Tracklander 4WD Roof Racks
We are Australian through and through. We would love you to look at ours when considering your choice and if you want to have something totally reliable off-road, we recommend Tracklander. Of course, we would! We’ve spent many thousands of hours getting it right and the design principles we use have been refined and proven over nearly 50 years in this kind of territory. If you’re looking for this kind of rack, we may be the choice for you. Find us at Tracklander 4WD Roof Racks and Accessories. But maybe you don’t need some of the features of the Tracklander and then you might want to look at some of the other options around- some are a little lighter duty and don’t provide the fill off-road load rating; some are a little higher off the roof. Some don’t have the mesh base that gives you unlimited tie-down points. You can look at Front Runner the South African brand, then there is Rhino Rack which was originally Australian but at the time of writing is owned by an American company. Wedgetail is a great Aussie brand as well. We would encourage you to check them out for yourself- look at the benefits of each. The choice is yours.
