Car Roof Bags - The Blog

Gear Up for Adventure: Exploring the Best Vehicles for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Are you an outdoor enthusiast looking for the perfect vehicle to complement your adventures? Whether you enjoy camping, water sports, or family outings, choosing the right vehicle can make all the difference. In this article, we'll explore three top contenders for outdoor adventures: the Nissan Qashqai, Jeep, and Kia Sportage. These vehicles offer a blend of practicality, versatility, and reliability, making them ideal companions for your outdoor lifestyle.

Nissan Qashqai: Your Versatile Partner for Outdoor Fun

The Nissan Qashqai is a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts for its practicality and fuel efficiency. With its spacious interior and ample cargo space, the Qashqai is well-equipped to handle camping trips, day outings, and carrying outdoor gear. Its compatibility with Thule roof bars further enhances its versatility, allowing you to securely transport bikes, kayaks, or camping equipment with ease.

 

 

Jeep: Embrace Adventure with Unmatched Off-Road Capability

For those seeking ruggedness and off-road prowess, Jeep is the go-to brand. Jeep models offer impressive four-wheel drive capabilities, ample cargo space, and towing capacity, making them perfect for outdoor adventures. Whether you're tackling rough terrain or towing a trailer full of camping gear, a Jeep can handle it all. With Thule roof bars, you can safely transport your outdoor gear while enjoying the thrill of the open road.

 

Kia Sportage: The Reliable Choice for Family Outings

The Kia Sportage is renowned for its reliability, comfort, and versatility, making it an excellent option for family outings. With its spacious interior and advanced technology features, the Sportage offers a comfortable ride for long journeys. Its compatibility with Thule roof bars adds to its appeal, allowing you to easily transport bikes, surfboards, or camping gear for memorable family adventures.

How to Fit Thule Roof Bars

Thule roof bars are simple to install and do not require expert assistance. In this tutorial we go over the fundamentals of Thule roof bar installation.

Step 1: Identify the correct Roof Bar

Thule roof bars, like all roof bars, are not one size fits all; they are built to accommodate a variety of vehicles and come in various of sizes. By asking your roof bar retailer for information or assistance, or using a roof bar guide, you can ensure that you are getting a suitable roof bar for your vehicle.

Step two: Identify the necessary fixtures and fittings.

To fit the roof bar to your vehicle, you'll need the appropriate foot pack and, in certain cases, a Thule fit kit, which functions as a form of adaptor for your specific car model.If you are unsure of which fixtures you need, refer to a roof bar guide from your chosen Thule retailer.

Step 3: Go over the instructions.

Before beginning the fitting process, read through the instructional booklet/PDF to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Your roof bar, fit kit, and foot pack will all come with their own set of instructions that should be simple to follow.

Step 4: Get your vehicle ready

Make sure your car, especially the roof, is clean and dry before installing your roof bar. Choose a dry day and dress appropriately, as working against the car may cause dirt to rub off on your clothes. If your car is exceptionally tall, a small step ladder may be required to easily reach the top.

Step 5: Put together your fitting kit and/or footpack.

If a fitting kit is required, follow the manufacturer's instructions for assembling and attaching it to the footpack. A fit kit is an adaptor for your roof bar and vehicle, whereas a footpack is designed to attach directly to the roof bar. To install your roof bar, you may require both the fitting kit and the footpack, or simply the footpack alone. To find out which parts you require, Consult our roof bar guide.

Step Six: Assemble the necessary elements

Now that you have all of the necessary components (foot pack and fit kit), it's time to put them together. Assembly is usually simple and quick, taking only three steps or less. Depending on the vehicle and roof bar it is meant for, each foot pack/fit kit is slightly different. Instructions for assembly are also available online at the Towing Centre and Thule websites, if not provided with your kit.

Step Seven: Fit the footpack

After you've attached the fit kit (if applicable), you'll need to attach the footpack to the roof bar. The footpack simply fits onto the bottom of the Thule roof bar. A ruler should be visible on the roof bar's underside. This will allow you to fasten each foot at the optimum distance to fit your car effectively.
Step Eight: Connect the Roof Bar to the Vehicle

The roof bar can be mounted once all of the needed components (roof bar, foot pack, and fit kit) have been built and adjusted according to the instructions and your vehicles requirements. If you utilised a fit kit, make sure the foot is attached to each fit kit point. If you don't have a fit kit, the foot should be attached to the vehicle's pre-installed fixation points, the roof of the car or your vehicles flush rails.

Now you're all set and ready for your next adventure!

Stay Alert, Stay Safe – The Confusion around the New Lockdown Regulations

As of Sunday the 10th of May 2020, the UK Prime Minister has announced that some lockdown restrictions are to be eased. As of the 13th of May people will be allowed to spend much more time outdoors with members of the same household. Activities such as picnics in the park, long walks and sports are to be enjoyed as long as people still comply with social distancing rules (staying 2m apart from others). The government has also changed the ‘stay home, stay safe’ slogan to ‘stay alert, stay safe’, and while these new, relaxed measures give us more freedom, many have criticized the message for its lack of clarity. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has refused to adopt the message altogether, continuing to stick with the original ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ slogan.

Outdoor Activities – What Can We Do?

From Wednesday the 13th, people in England will be allowed to exercise outdoors as much as they like with members of their own household. People are also allowed to enjoy some games of sport with other household members in parks and public places as well as other stationary outdoor activities like sunbathing and picnics. As of Wednesday, you will also be able to meet up with one other person from another household outside your home, as long as a distance of at least two metres is kept between you and the other person at all times. Travel restrictions will also be lifted, and people will be permitted to drive to other locations across the country to enjoy outdoor activities and leisure time in parks and beaches up and down the country.

Wash Those Hands!

Now we have been granted more freedom to enjoy the outdoors, hand hygiene is more important than ever. Wash your hands when you reach your destination with alcohol hand gel and with soap and water for 20 seconds when you arrive home. It’s important to maintain great hand hygiene even when you think you might not have ‘touched’ anything contaminated, especially if you make a visit to the shop, petrol station or public toilet on your journey.

Stay Sensible

As long as you are following the given government guidelines carefully, there is no reason to let fear spoil your time outdoors. The key things to remember are to maintain social distancing wherever possible, practice good hand hygiene and seek medical advice if you are unwell.