Build to last and endure driving even on the poorest road conditions, Toyota's are made to often outlast their owners. Jokes aside, Toyotas are made with reliable engines and ones that last a long time without any major issues and costly repairs. The same can be said for the Toyota Hiace. Although not being one of the manufacturer's most popular vehicles, it is a handy van that can do more than you expect.
Being a van, the Hiace offers a lot of storage space for its size. The Hiace is a versatile van since it comes in different variations. Depending on the wheelbase you can use the Hiace for both moving equipment or as a commuter van. The interior is comfy enough and the infotainment options are many with Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition on board. But although the Hiace is a van it can sometimes be left with no available space. This is where a Hiace roof rack comes in handy.
Benefits of Roof Racks
Storage
One obvious reason why you would install a roof rack on your Hiace is the extra storage space it offers. Since the roof of your Hiace is long, installing roof racks means you get a lot more storage space than what you get on a regular car. Roof racks Toyota Hiace commuter van are going to almost double your storage space.
Appearance
Not only will you be able to pack more stuff for your road trip or get more equipment on your next job site, but you will also make your Hiace look more appealing. Yes, even when you'll have gear up top your Hiace will still have a good appearance to it. Without any gear, your Hiace will look more professional as the roof racks add more of a structured accent at the top.
Fresh Air
While it can be hard to get fresh air in your Hiace while driving in the city, you will be able to let the inside of your Hiace breathe. With more stuff packed inside your van the higher the chances that foul-smelling air will be present. Fewer items inside means the chances of foul smells are reduced.
What to Consider in a Roof Rack
Material
There are two options you can choose from when it comes to the material a roof rack system is made of – steel and aluminium. The only disadvantage of aluminium Toyota Hiace roof racks is that they are more expensive. Other than that, you get to put lighter roof racks on top of your Hiace and also ones that will last you a lot longer than steel roof racks. Since aluminium Toyota Hiace roof racks are lighter they won't increase fuel consumption as much and they won't increase the drag of your Hiace.
When it comes to roof racks Toyota Hiace commuter made of steel you will pay far less but you will also get less. Steel roof racks are stronger than aluminium ones but they are heavier meaning they will increase both drag and fuel consumption. You will also hear whistling noises when travelling at high speeds. Also if you want the material to be anti-corrosive you'll need to pay extra for a Hiace roof rack system with a coated steel construction or have it coated afterwards.
Compatibility
No matter how strong or how light a pair of roof racks are if they are not made for your Hiace you won't be able to mount them and use them. Make sure that the roof rack system you're getting is made for your Hiace and if it's one made to be fitted on multiple models make sure it has the same mounting system as your Hiace.
Accessories
If you want to be able to carry bikes, skis, snowboards, or kayaks on top of your Hiace then you need to consider the type of accessories you can put on your roof rack. These accessories will allow you to mount the above equipment on your roof rack. Without them, putting a bike or a snowboard on top of your Hiace can be unsafe.
Aerodynamics
The design of the roof racks is also important especially when you want to make your Hiace more aerodynamic. But would you want that? Well, with better aerodynamics comes lower fuel consumption. This is why you should look for roof racks with a sloping design that helps cut through the air. Avoid going for square bars which will increase drag and make your Hiace less aerodynamic and thus less efficient too.
Conclusion
While you rarely see a van with a roof rack system on top of it, equipping your Hiace with one can be a smart investment. If overload your van on the regular you should definitely seek into getting some roof racks as doing so often can cause all kinds of issues with the suspension and other components regarding the wheel assembly. When you won't need a roof rack for a certain period you can just take it off.
