So, I was wondering what everyone thinks are the best features on their roof racks. I know that it is horses for courses, and some people don't really care at all, but there are some things that just make sense, and make for a better roof rack experience. What are they?
eg. quite a few years ago, my work truck was fitted with a Brand name steel roof rack that was made of square box section. Good quality, but two things annoyed me about it. It hummed louder than a church choir at full voice and ropes did not slide around it nicely when tying down loads. Since then, I have only ever bought a rack made of tubular top sections where ropes are likely to be used, and because I tend to tie things down as opposed to using ratchet straps.
I also like a rack that has a mesh deck as I throw firewood up there all the time. Not everyone might do this, but it is bloody handy for me with a wagon. The down-side is that mesh is slightly noisier when on the highway.
Of recent times I have also decided that I want to tie down a kayak on the rack, and that changes quite a few of the design concepts that I had previously wanted. I now need something like the 'tradies' rack, but with a few tweaks.
As a result, my current DIY project is to make an alloy rack that is pretty much a tradies rack, with a mesh floor, but that has a spot at the front for a solar panel that fits across the width of the rack. The panel (should get a 120W in there) will sit flush or just below flush, most of the time, but the trailing edge will be able to adjust up so it can act at a wind deflector when the rack is loaded with anything other than a kayak, and or when I need it to better face the sun when I am camped up. This will limit my load area to a little over 3/4 of the rack's overall length, but it should be enough,... I think.
So what are the features in a rack that are the most valuable for you, or that should at least be considered in a purchase? Is it simply price? Or is it certain features that may be worth it for the additional cost?