If you’ve travelled with passengers, you’ll know that trying to squeeze everyone’s camping gear into one vehicle is akin to why guys don’t wear bikinis. Sure, you can shift things around and try to make it work, but the stark reality is you’ll NEVER get everything in there.
But before you turn to a cargo trailer as the answer, consider the hassle of towing, licensing, storing and maintaining that trailer. No, what you need – what most campers need – is a roof rack.
BENEFITS OF A ROOF RACK
An expedition-style roof rack doesn’t just double or triple your vehicle’s packing space; it also serves as a foundation for many more add-ons and improvements, such as an awning, rooftop tent, or even outdoor shower.
Fortunately, South Africa produces some of the world’s best roof racks. But amongst those, few rival Eezi-Awn and their 40+ year history serving the camping / overland market.
Famously known as the inventor of present-shape rooftop tents in 1989, today, Eezi-Awn boasts dozens of overland solutions, including a wide range of expedition roof racks that have travelled to every corner of the globe. If you’re still unconvinced, here are five more reasons you should choose an Eezi-Awn K9 roof rack.
1) EXPEDITION ROOF RACK
One of the unique features of an Eezi-Awn K9 roof rack is its expedition-style construction and double-slat design. Unlike other racks that only have lateral slats running in one direction, an Eezi-Awn rack is supported longitudinally and laterally.
This means the rack can carry significantly more weight without the slats bending or fatiguing on corrugated roads. It also means the gaps between the slats are smaller, so loose items (like bags of firewood) are less likely to shift between them.
More importantly, the slats are rigid and don’t bow when you walk on them, so the roof rack can be mounted super close to your vehicle’s roof line. This brings us to the next point…
2) A TRULY LOW-PROFILE ROOF RACK
The ability to mount a roof rack as low as possible makes it look less like a bulky afterthought and more like a factory-fitted item. It also helps reduce wind noise and resistance and provides better clearance for underground parking.
3) SIMPLE MOUNTING SYSTEM
Eezi-Awn K9 roof racks are renowned for their simple yet sturdy mounting system. Unlike other racks, which use small, intricate tools that easily strip or round their edges, Eezi-Awn’s mounting system is super simple and robust, using standard tool sizes that won’t strip if you regularly remove the rack.
4) ROOF RACK ACCESSORIES
One advantage of choosing an Eezi-Awn K9 roof rack is the wide range of accessories that work seamlessly with the rack. This allows you to customise your roof rack with everything from jerry-can holders and high-lift jack mounts to awnings and rooftop tents.
5) HISTORY & INNOVATION
As mentioned before, Eezi-Awn manufactured the first rooftop tents in Southern Africa, which profoundly influenced how people camp and travel worldwide. Since then, the company has remained at the forefront of innovation and overland travel.
In its most basic sense, an Eezi-Awn K9 roof rack will significantly improve your vehicle’s packing space and versatility, but beyond that, it’s a long-term investment from a long-term company that shows no signs of taking a back seat.
