I don’t like roof racks and don’t have them fitted to any of our vehicles. Reasons for this dislike are many but the main one is safety.
Roof racks encourage loading fairly heavy stuff on the top of vehicles. Vehicles that already have a high centre of gravity.
I’ve been in places where I’ve seen more than 300 kgs on the top of land cruisers (Toyota only recommend a max of 50 to 80 kg on their racks). Therefore, they raise the centre of gravity making the vehicle more unstable. A contributing factor to a rollover if the driver is not aware of the effect.
When driving on poor roads the vehicle is subject to more vibration. Things come loose. If the roof rack is not checked, regularly, for security then stuff falls off the top. Not good for anyone who’s following or on the side of the road. Or even in front when the brakes are applied in an emergency.
I like pick ups. If I need to take a load somewhere I use it. Heavy stuff towards the front of the bed, light stuff at the back. Secured down. This can actually improve the vehicles handling when driving on poor roads.
Consider a trailer. They come with their own issues, that training can deal with, but no need to carry all that expedition/project gear on the roof.
Saying that though, I appreciate the fact that the roof rack thing and putting other heavy items on tops of vehicles may be necessary, operationally. It is important then to inform drivers of the negative effect this can have in certain driving conditions.
The vehicle is fine when driven down a flat, straight road at the correct speed for the conditions. But as soon as it’s subjected to rapid changes of speed and or direction, with a change of road camber, then the centre of gravity will leave the confines of safety a lot more easily, and over she goes.
