Benefits of adding a roof rack to your Holden Colorado
Though Australia weathered the Global Financial Crisis relatively unscathed, global downturn had an immediate effect on local manufacturing. Within a decade, all car manufacturing ceased. Lower tariffs, company restructuring, and cheaper overseas imports influenced what we could buy. Established brands, like Holden began to source vehicles from parent companies or affiliates abroad. Though not a bad thing in itself, it signalled the imminent end of what were once household names.
One of the last models offered by Holden was the Colorado, a well-engineered and unashamed ute, sold to Aussies from 2008. It had a couple of facelifts until the car was phased out last year, but retained its mechanical underpinnings from the first gen model. To bolster sales, various upgrade packs were offered with the 2017 facelift, to suit different kinds of buyers. Holden addressed buyers’ needs by offering additions like roof trays and tubs, beefed-up underbody protection, upgrades to front suspension, and even winch-appointed bull bars. This all came at a cost, but highlighted what many customers wanted – a vehicle to suit individual needs.
What You Get with Roof Racks
The Tradie and Xtreme Packs offered among other items, a fully appointed roof tray, though coming in roughly at $6500 and a whopping $20000 respectively, they weren’t exactly cheap. By fitting roof racks to Holden Colorado drivers added functionality and flexibility to their utes. The benefits are more than just a sum of the additional carrying capacity.
First, there’s the look. The coated black metal finish reeks ruggedness, and the ability to take on any load in any terrain. But it also gives off a refined touch, meaning that you can go about your business in style. A combination that will get heads turning.
Then comes the utilitarian aspect. Besides the good looks, roof racks are there for a purpose – carrying extra loads. They give you the ability to transport large, bulky items that otherwise won’t fit in the loading tray. Think of surfboards, kayaks and canoes when using your Colorado for recreation. Or ladders for work purposes. Fitting such items onto the racks mean they won’t jostle about or get damaged when driving. Something that can pose a risk to other drivers. It also means freeing up space in the cabin or loading tray itself for any other necessities.
Racks can also be used when off-road or for fishing and camping. Compatible awnings that slide along the rails will give you ample space shielded from the elements, and easy access to your camping and fishing gear. And with the right brackets, you can attach flood lights to improve visibility in tight spots. Getting through hard terrain at night, like river crossings, will be much easier.
Storing your stuff on roof racks frees up space in the cabin. It also means the cabin remains clean from dirty items, and won’t see damage from anything scraping seats, door interiors or the dash. Passengers will have enough space for a comfy ride. And lastly there’s the safety element roof racks provide by evenly distributing weight across the length of the vehicle.
Roof Racks for Your Holden Colorado
Depending on the cab type, there are single extra cab and double cab racks available for the Colorado. You can get them as platform or open or semi-open caged types, depending on what you intend to carry. Platforms are good for tying down large, long items, while cages will store smaller things like extra wheels and tyres. Remember to secure longer items at either end of the vehicle, at both front and rear towing points. Look for racks with security looks for peace of mind. You’ll need crossbars to attach the rack, and factory rails or tracks that fit in the mounting points. Crossbars need to be fitted at even, parallel distances and at an appropriate length for the load. Single cabin extra space kits will understandably be shorter, with different mounting points in the roof lining.
Models with factory fitted rails will be easier to install, meaning there’s no need for drilling in the roofline. You can do the fit yourself, or with a mate to lend a hand, or get it professionally installed at a workshop.
Buying Roof Racks for Holden Colorado
If you haven’t splurged on the one of the packs dealerships offered at insane prices, a good option would be to look for aftermarket roof racks, crossbars and rails. They’re considerably cheaper, but don’t necessarily lag in quality. You’ll find decent aluminium racks for both single and double cab Colorados, along with universal crossbars at manageable prices. Mounts and brackets, along with protective rubber roof linings are seen in many kits. Some will also have tools besides the fitting instructions. Stores also sell accessories like luggage boxes, bike racks, locking straps, additional anchoring points and cleaning and maintenance kits. Get a quote for installation prices if you want to avoid the hassle.
When buying, get the right roof rack for your cab type and your load. Look for rated weight capacities, both for off-road and on-road, and load your ute accordingly. Most roof racks will have higher loading rates than what your roof can carry, so don’t overdo it. A well-installed, quality roof rack should give you years of transporting any goods safely and conveniently.