Roof rack, as the name implies, consists of cross bars and supported by means of roof rack supports, or towers, of various designes to carry bulky loads such as sporting equipment, luggage, camping equipment, kayaks, canoes and bicycles. A roof rack, or cargo carrier, adds another vehicle's storage area to the vehicle that could not otherwise be stored inside the vehicle.

With modern technology roof racks are available in many styles . The esential elements being cross bars,a vehicle specific means of fastening the roof mounts to the cross bars and to the vehicle's roof to ensure both strength and safety during travel over long and short distances.

Vehicle manufacturers provide different means of fastening a roof rack to their vehicle,. One style is to have a specific support clamp to fit the roof, a channel fitted to the roof to allow the movement of the cross bars to change the distance between the cross bars, special openings or re-inforced lugs designed specifically for a roof rack and a rack for a vehicle that the manufacturer has fitted side rails on the roof requiring the addition of cross bars which the manufacturer seldom supplies and therefore is offered by outside roof rack manufacturers. Some of these vehicle models are Hyundai Lantra, Sante Fe, Tucson and Trajet ,Kia Carnevale, Mitsubishi Challenger and Pajero. Subaru Impreza and some models of Volvo.

Roof racks for vehicles with rain gutters are selected for height above the roof line as height of each vehicle manufacture can be different. With a low roof line a short support of 130mm or 150mm could be suitable whereas a rack for the Landrover Defender would require a height of 290mm

Vehicles with rain gutters generally require a heavy duty support and cross bars. Cross bars should be high strength aircraft grade aluminium alloy and of 40mm square and capable of a weight load of 100kgs, evenly distributed.

With the services of the internet roof rack buyers are now able to view likely rack suppliers from home and be informed of availabity, style and price before making a buying decision. Some rack suppliers on the internet offer delivery to the buyers door which could be of great benefit if the seller's store is some distance from the buyer's home. In some situations buying on the internet can also result in big monetary savings

Finally, always ensure you inform the supplier of the make, year and model of your vehicle to ensure you receive the correct roof rack .