How Do I Keep My Roof Rack From Being Stolen

8 min read
Last Updated: Nov 15, 2024
BY: Matt Keepnes
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If you really enjoy going on outdoor adventures, we know that you might have a roof rack. Many outdoor adventure enthusiasts swear by their roof racks because they are an essential piece of equipment when it comes down to ensuring your outdoor adventure runs smoothly.

So you can imagine how disappointing it is when your roof rack is stolen. Not only are thieves able to get their hands on what you kept on your roof rack but they have also taken the actual roof rack itself! This is enough to put a damper on even the most exciting adventure.

While there’s not much we can do about having a thief in the world, however as an avid cyclists ourselves here at ATB, we understand how important safety and convenience are, particularly when it comes to having somewhere convenient to store helmets and other gear while out riding.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot we can do to stop someone from trying to steal something. However, there are ways to deter someone from stealing goods or deter them from being able to steal something if they try.

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What Is A Roof Rack?

A roof rack is a system of bars mounted on the roof of a vehicle that is used to carry objects such as luggage, bicycles, or kayaks. Roof racks can be permanently installed on the roof of a vehicle or they can be removable.

Permanent roof racks are often found on SUVs and vans, while removable roof racks are more common on sedans and wagons. Roof racks can be made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, and plastic.

There are many different types of roof racks and loading systems you can choose from for your vehicle. This is a commonly known part of your vehicle that is used to hold objects such as bikes or kayaks in place securely, but one thing most don't realize is the added storage space it provides.

The top rack is more than just a way to transport objects, it safely secures them while also providing extra room in the interior of your vehicle!

Roof racks come in all shapes and sizes, but no matter what you'll need to attach your rack to your car first. The best way is to read up on all the different methods available so that you can make an educated decision.

You may also find roof racks that have both bolt-on and strap attachments. Just make sure you choose the one that comes with a strong enough attachment to your vehicle so that it can withstand the weight you plan on putting on top of it.

The second thing you need to know is that roof racks come in a variety of sizes and shapes. It's important to think carefully about what kind will likely suit your vehicle best!

You might think that with all of these hooks, bolts, and straps your roof rack will be secure on your car. But do you really think these alone will stop thieves in their tracks?

However, thieves are getting smarter about being able to effectively evade roof racks and break into cars. What this means for you is that whilst roof racks can be really effective security-wise, they're not necessarily as secure from sneak thieves in some cases.

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The HitchSafe HS7000 Key Vault is a versatile and secure solution for those who need to store and protect their valuables while on the go. This black hidden storage lock box is designed to fit into your car trailer hitch and includes a hitch cover, drawer with lock, and hitch bolts.

Check Price

Ways To Stop Thieves From Stealing Your Roof Rack

Knowing that you would never want your roof rack to fall prey to fully-grown greasy thieves, the best way to protect it is to use some of the methods outlined below.

Buy A Roof Rack That Comes With Locks Built-In

The roof rack on your vehicle is a vital piece of equipment for transporting various materials depending on what goods you transport.

You already know that it’s a good idea to make sure you have locks or some other way of safeguarding your roof rack and contents, but with gear such as ski racks or bike racks that have security built-in, it makes your work easier because all you need to do is simply using the traditional way of securing your belongings.

Learn how to make an insulated roof box. Some car owners use these boxes so they can transport their pets and other things when they are driving, especially if the weather is unpleasant outside.

You will need an insulated box, a seat belt cutter, a scissor, and a lashing strap. This may seem like some lofty projects you have never done before but it is very easy with the right materials.

Buy A Roof Rack Lock

If you have a roof rack, chances are you’d like to protect your belongings while you’re on an adventure. So it may not be in your best interest to spend money on another roof box if the one you have has a lock system built into it already.

A good roof rack lock will be sturdy and durable, so even if someone succeeds in breaking it open, they’ll have to put more effort into it than they thought they would.

Install A Security Camera On Your Car

Another important security tool is installing a security camera on your car. Driving with a video camera mounted to your windshield is an effective method of preventing theft. Keep in mind, however, that relying solely on a security camera mounted on your vehicle as a precaution against theft isn't the best idea. Rather, it's probably best to also have other anti-theft devices installed such as an alarm.

For example, GPS tracking systems can be easily set up through the use of Bluetooth technology due to their compact size when compared to older models.

Install A Tracking Device

Tracking devices are one of the most effective ways to protect your roof rack from theft. Some of these devices have a GPS on board and even Wi-Fi connection so you can track your device almost in real time if you need to.

Although no system is foolproof, choosing a tracking device that only broadcasts information when triggered will make it much harder for thieves to track down. In addition, installing your tracker somewhere on the roof rack where potential thieves won’t notice it will prevent them from removing it altogether.

Get An Alarm Lock

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The HitchSafe HS7000 Key Vault is a versatile and secure solution for those who need to store and protect their valuables while on the go. This black hidden storage lock box is designed to fit into your car trailer hitch and includes a hitch cover, drawer with lock, and hitch bolts.

Check Price

Yes, alarm locks are a real thing. They make sure that no one can break into your place without you knowing, by sounding an alarm once someone tries to do so.

Alarm alarms are also useful for letting you know people are coming home if you're away from the house, if a dog or a child got left behind and isn't responding to nagging, and more!

Remove The Roof Rack When Not In Use

If you are not planning on using your roof racks for a while because you haven’t got any outdoor adventures planned for a while, then to keep your roof rack safe you should remove them. Plus it also helps save fuel mileage driving without roof boxes attached to your car.

We get it, this may seem like an inconvenience at first, but you don't want to put yourself in a position where you have to buy another one if someone tries to steal your luggage.

Make Your Roof Rack Undesirable

If you’ve ever seen a bright-colored dog, it may have made you wonder why their owners chose them to be that way. Would they not want to be neutrally colored? Well, the reason for this is so potential thieves can’t find it fancy enough to steal.

So this might be a good method to deter thieves from taking your roof rack. If you paint your roof rack a color that is bright and loud, or even marks the roof rack, it makes it harder for thieves to sell. This means they are more likely to be deterred from stealing your roof rack.

Protect your reels beeing stole from your roof rack

Final Thoughts

An excellent way to deter thieves from stealing your roof rack is to have a security system installed. A secure password for your car later makes it incredibly hard for a potential thief to get through.

Following this advice will help to protect you from becoming a victim of theft and help keep your roof rack in place. Some of our suggestions may not seem ideal but it's better to have an inconveniencing system than no security at all!

We hope we've helped ease some of your immediate concerns about leaving your roof rack in a public place. We want you to know that there are always ways around situations that make us worried - even the most seemingly impossible things can be solved with a little bit of planning and creativity!

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creator of RoofboxTop.com

Matt Keepnes

Matt Keepnes, travel enthusiast and creator of RoofboxTop.com. I share expert tips on car storage solutions for seamless travels, combining personal experiences with practical advice.

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