When it comes to installing a truck bed rack on your pickup, one issue you’ll often hear people talk about is bounce. This is a common problem that occurs when your truck rack shifts or moves excessively while driving, especially over uneven terrain or at high speeds. Not only does it affect your driving experience, but it can also damage your gear and the truck bed itself over time. Let’s break down why this happens and what you can do to minimize or prevent truck bed rack bounce. Why Does Truck Bed Rack Bounce Happen? If you’re dealing with truck…
Author: Eliot Stonebrook
If you’re looking for the best way to maximize the space on your pickup truck, you’ve probably stumbled across two common options: a camper top and a bed rack. Both have their pros and cons, and choosing the right one comes down to your needs and lifestyle. Let’s break it down so you can make a well-informed decision. What’s a Camper Top? A camper top, also known as a truck cap, is a shell that covers the entire bed of your truck. It turns your open truck bed into an enclosed space, offering protection from the weather and extra security…
Cleaning a roof cargo box might not seem like a big deal, but getting it wrong can mess up your gear and the box itself. Over time, dirt, grime, and even UV damage can wear down the surface of your roof box, reducing its lifespan and making it look bad. If you’re carrying luggage on long trips, it’s even more crucial to keep things clean and working well. Here’s how you can make sure your roof cargo box stays in top condition. Why Regular Cleaning Matters If you don’t clean your roof box, debris can settle into small cracks or…
Adding a roof box to your vehicle can give you extra space for gear and luggage, but it can also have a significant impact on your car’s aerodynamics. Understanding how aerodynamism works with a roof box attached is essential if you care about fuel efficiency, performance, and safety. This article will break down what you need to know about these changes and how they affect your driving experience. What is Aerodynamism? Aerodynamism refers to how air moves around objects, like vehicles, and how these objects interact with that air. In vehicles, reducing air resistance improves fuel efficiency and makes the…
When you’re adding roof rack cross bars to your car, you’re thinking about utility, not fuel consumption. Whether it’s for hauling kayaks, bikes, or extra cargo, these bars give you more storage space. But, there’s a hidden cost — they can hurt your gas mileage. Is the convenience worth the price? Let’s find out. Understanding the Impact of Aerodynamics The main reason roof rack cross bars reduce fuel efficiency is simple. They affect your car’s aerodynamics. When you drive, your vehicle is designed to minimize air resistance, but when you put anything on top, especially a roof rack, you mess…
Choosing the right setup for your vehicle, especially when thinking about overland-style bed racks, can be a tough decision. You want practicality, durability, and of course, something that works for your needs. But, like anything else, there are upsides and downsides. So, what exactly are they? What’s an Overland Bed Rack? An overland bed rack sits over the bed of your truck, giving extra space to carry gear. Whether you’re going on long road trips or just need to store extra stuff, the bed rack is a popular choice among off-roaders, campers, and adventurers. Pros of an Overland Bed Rack…
A roof box is a useful way to expand the storage capacity of your vehicle. People commonly use them for road trips, camping, and vacations. But one thing you’ll need to know is how much weight a roof box can hold before you risk damaging your car or making it unsafe to drive. In this article, we’ll break down how to figure out the weight limits for roof boxes and the factors that come into play. What Is the Average Weight Limit for Roof Boxes? The typical roof box weight capacity ranges between 150 and 165 pounds. However, the specific…
Whistling roof bars can make any trip frustrating. If you’ve got Thule roof bars on your car and that constant whistling is driving you nuts, you’re not alone. Many people deal with this annoying sound, and the good news is, it’s fixable. By using some straightforward techniques and knowing where the problem comes from, you can silence that irritating whistle and enjoy your ride again. Why Do Roof Bars Whistle? The whistling sound usually happens because of air resistance. When you’re driving at higher speeds, the air hits the roof bars and creates turbulence, which can lead to that high-pitched…
A car battery is the heart of your vehicle’s electrical system, but when corrosion takes over, things can go wrong quickly. Understanding the risks of jump-starting a corroded battery can save you from damage, injury, or a much larger repair bill than you expected. Why Does Battery Corrosion Happen? Battery corrosion usually forms when gases from the battery acid escape and react with the metals on the terminals. Over time, the acid builds up a crusty white, blue, or green substance around the posts. Extreme temperatures, battery leaks, and aging can speed up the corrosion process. Once it forms, it…
If you’re one of those who leave the cargo box on top of your car after a trip, you might be wondering whether it really matters. A cargo box is convenient, but driving with an empty one can actually affect your car’s performance more than you think. Fuel Efficiency Takes a Hit One of the most immediate effects of driving with an empty cargo box is a reduction in fuel efficiency. Your car becomes less aerodynamic, leading to increased drag. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aerodynamic drag can significantly affect fuel consumption. In fact, it states that at…