I’ll be quite open about the fact that nothing makes less sense to me than someone driving around with an empty roof rack. There are quite literally no benefits to doing so other than ‘well, it looks cooler,’ and with how much fuel economy mine costs me, that’s just not worth it.

However, if you’ve got one, and you do want to use it, there’s no better time to get serious about your rack usage than right before that summer vacation or bachelor trip with your best buddies. As someone who’s attempting to plan a bachelor’s trip as we speak, trust me, mine will be doing a lot of lifting.

But what you do use your roof rack for depends entirely on your destination and plans when you get there, and these five gadgets should cover every base for every trip, whether it’s a long road trip or a daily commute.

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1

The tried and true bike rack

Whether you’re an avid rider or just a beginner, this is a must-have for those beach trips

Treefrog Roof Racks

One of the biggest detractors that I hear from those who don’t actually own a roof rack is the fact that the accessories are hard to store when they aren’t in use, as they’re usually large gadgets. The good news with most bike racks is that this is not the case, and as someone with limited storage space, I would only recommend you options that I’ve found to stow away easily and comfortably.

The good news is that the sentence applies to just about every bike rack out there. They’re not cumbersome or seemingly in the way all the time when not in use, and they instantly enhance any beach trip you might take with the family otherwise. Additionally, for the hardcore trail rider, the bike rack should already be a staple in your arsenal, whether it’s a hitch-mounted apparatus or on the roof, hence it being the first recommendation on the list.

I recommend Yakima products to most of my friends, as they make the extra effort to ensure that no part of the apparatus comes into contact with the paintwork or body of the car.

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2

Fishing rod holder

For the responsible outdoorsy person with an SUV

Rack Warehouse

When I first traded in my truck for an SUV, one of the first snags I ran into what where in the world to put my rods and reels for fishing trips. I fish mostly rivers and lakes, so my equipment isn’t the largest in the world, but I needed something that could hold a decent-sized rod that would allow me to reel in catfish and other larger species with no trouble. My only problem was figuring out where to put it. Enter, again, Yakima, with the ReelDeal fishing rod mount.

You might think this is a Yakima-sponsored article thus far, and you’d be fair to assume so, but I promise to break from that trend later on. For now, though, all I can say is that this has made my trips to the lake much easier and far less cluttered, without having to open my pass-through rear seat window or deal with any funky smells from my excursion inside my car.

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3

Roll-up cargo carrier

Where can you put a big, plastic tub that isn’t in the way? Roll-up is the way to go

WeatherTech

The traditional cargo carrier is large, typically made of ugly, cheap plastic, and is a nightmare to stow. Even if you purchased a lower-profile option, it still takes up serious real estate on the garage wall, which is just about the only sensible place to store one.

Instead, a roll-up cargo carrier, made from heavier-duty cloth, can stow just as much as the alternative and stow away in something so small as a closet floor or a garage cabinet. They’re great for cross-country trips or longer stays, and with the technological advances in the waterproofing of cloth fibers nowadays, they even make for a great all-weather option.

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4

Retractable awning

The shade is always a perfect place to hang out either on or off-road

ROAM Adventure Co.

For those who are looking for a more serious off-roading or overlanding experience, the best first attachment for your roof rack is going to be a retractable awning. I don’t think anyone out there would recommend an overnight trip as your first overlanding excursion, which is why an awning makes infinitely more sense than a tent for a first purchase.

That’s not to say the massive number of innovative tent designs out there is a bad thing, but if you’re a casual off-roader looking for a comfortable place to sit with some friends and enjoy the scenery, a good retractable awning will keep you looking and feeling like the coolest guy in your four-wheel club. Personally, I’ve heard solid reviews of ROAM Adventure Co. awnings, but as with many car modifications, make and model do play a factor, so be sure to research for your specific fit.

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5

Rooftop tent

There’s no debate — this is the coolest way to use your roof rack by a mile, but also the most expensive

THULE

By and large, most would agree that a rooftop tent is the most transformative accessory you can buy for your roof rack system. It can take any car from a boring daily driver with an extra piece of hardware to a utilitarian workhorse, especially if you own anything from a compact to a large SUV or pickup truck.

I truly can’t think of anything better than waking up in the morning, looking out my rooftop tent at the sunrise, and then hopping in my mostly-still-economical Volkswagen and heading home for the weekend. When it comes to making sure you get the most out of your roof rack, these five accessories can ensure that, no matter the task, you’re equipped for the job at all times.