Finally, you bought a new mattress. And you are caught up in a dilemma of how it will get home. Worry less; you are about to learn how to tie a mattress to a car roof rack.
Luckily we have modern cars equipped with accessories to carry most items. So, hauling the mattress home shouldn’t concern you if you have your SUV, minivan, or a hatchback.
However, improper securing of the items on the roof rack can lead to losses or life threats.
Further, you may have hours of misery on the highway, stopping after a few miles to set your mattress if you don’t follow the correct procedure to secure it at the start of the journey.
Thankfully, this article will guide you on how to tie a mattress to a car roof rack. Read on!
How to Tie a Mattress to a Car Roof Rack
Step 1: Check the Mattress Weight and Height
You need to confirm the weight of the mattress to determine the type of roof rack you need.
Secondly, you need to confirm your vehicle user manual to know the maximum loading height.
This is because vehicle manufacturers indicate the load height and weight after effective testing. As that’s the case, exceeding the recommended height may affect vehicle performance and gas mileage.
In another case, you may exceed the height and violate your state’s traffic rules. Further, you may also drive in areas like underground parking lots with shorter heights.
To be safe, confirm all the details before hauling your mattress.
Step 2: Find a High-Quality Roof Rack
Not all roof racks are designed to withstand heavier items like high-quality mattresses. As such, find a high-quality roof rack that will haul your mattress without causing trouble on the road.
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Some roof racks are designed to carry up to 75 KGS loads. And you may be lucky enough to transport the mattress with ease if you find one.
However, if you may have a lightweight roof rack, don’t be tempted to load the mattress on it, especially if it exceeds the load capacity.
The best step is to purchase a new roof rack to help you haul the mattress. You can have light and heavy load roof racks and shift them depending on your loads.
Read: What can you carry on a roof rack?
Step 3: Wrap the Mattress
The road has dust and grime. And you wouldn’t want to get to your destination with a dirty mattress.
Wrap your mattress with a high-quality plastic bag to protect it. Of course, if the mattress is new, it has a plastic bag. But if you are transporting a used mattress, you will need to wrap it in a plastic bag.
The bag also protects the mattress from the weather. If you are traveling during the rainy season, you will never get worried once you notice rain clouds in the sky.
Step 4: Prepare the Roof and the Rack
Adjust the roof rack bars to properly support the mattress weight. Most roof rack cross bars have adjustment knobs. So, loosen and slide them along the rails with your hand.
After setting the crossbars, remove the antenna. It may be boring when you drive without listening to the radio throughout the journey. But the mattress weight can cost you the antenna.
To remove, unscrew the antenna by hand and turn it counterclockwise. Then, put a covering on the antenna base.
Step 5: Load Your Mattress
Have someone to help you lift the mattress to the roof. If you have an SUV or a minivan, you can climb to the top and have your helper raise the mattress for you.
Luckily, most mattress dealers will help you to secure it. This is if you have bought a new mattress.
Place your mattress at the central part of the rack, considering the left and the right sides.
Laying it at the central part minimizes the chances of wobbling when the car gets into motion.
However, don’t extend it to the windshield. You can push the backside to hang and leave the windshield clear for easy driving.
Read: Front runner roof rack vibration
Step 6: Secure Your Mattress
You may get into a dilemma of choosing the best rope to tie down the mattress. It’s simple to select a tying method.
But know that regular nylon ropes are slippery. And they may not properly secure the mattress, especially if you travel a long distance.
Improper securing can cause the front side to lift because of the wind resistance. It can also cost you much fuel due to high drag.
Ideally, use a ratchet strap instead of a nylon rope. Secure the ratchet strap around the front and the rear bars.
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To protect the mattress from lifting, add a strap running from front left to back right. Then, run another strap from the front right to the back left.
Add a bungee cord if the ratchet straps aren’t enough to firmly secure the mattress.
How to Tie a Mattress With a Ratchet Strap
- Separate the strap with the ratchet from the free strap you will feed to the slot.
- Attach the hooks on each roof rack side and pass them over the mattress.
- If the roof is higher than your height, use a ladder or a strong crate to step on.
- Open the ratchet handle and feed the strap through the slot. Pull the end until the free strap moves beyond the ratchet.
- Tighten the strap by moving the handle up and down in pumping motions.
- Repeat the process on other straps until the mattress is tightly secured.
Do Roof Racks Damage Your Car?
A properly fitted roof rack will give you years of service, and it will never damage your car. But always observe the load capacity when you secure a load on the roof rack for a longer lifespan.
Can I Install Roof Racks Myself?
Roof racks come with mounting kits, which makes them easier to install. You can easily install them without professional skills.
Do Roof Racks Affect Gas Mileage?
Roof racks affect gas mileage because they offer wind resistance. But there are special aerodynamically designed roof rack bars with less wind resistance.
On the other hand, knowing how to tie a mattress to a car roof rack can save you much fuel. However, drive slowly for safety.