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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: What to look for in your new van roof rack
Date: Monday, July 25, 2022
For the modern tradesperson and fleet manager, choosing the best van roof rack from the wide selection available can be daunting. So, what are the key characteristics to look out for in a quality roof rack? Rhino Products, Europe's largest manufacturer of commercial vehicle accessories, explores the important features.
Strength and functionality
Roof racks on commercial vans must be robust and durable. At the same time, a large carrying capacity is essential for any working environment. Being exposed to the rigours of the road and the outdoors means that this equipment also needs to be corrosion resistant.
Thorough durability testing ensures maximum service life for roof racks and other commercial vehicle accessories. At Rhino Products, this begins early in the design process, where a team of in-house designers utilise advanced software to identify and eliminate any potential weaknesses. Physical prototypes are then created and tested to destruction to ensure maximum strength in all areas. Coupled with continual development on existing products and designs, this approach ensures delivery of highly robust roof racks, with industry leading load carrying capacities.
In some cases, these testing processes are even taken a step further. For example, Rhino’s AluminiumRack is independently crash tested to 20G at Millbrook Proving Ground in the UK – twice the industry standard city crash test of 10G. Its anodised aluminium alloy construction ensures durability and an innate resistance to corrosion, delivering a long service life.
Roof racks must also be highly functional. Choosing a suitable roof rack in this regard will help improve the working environment for van users. Rhino ensures the usability of its roof racks thanks to a full width durable steel roller attached to composite stub axles, which allows for easy loading and unloading at the rear.
Aesthetics and aerodynamics
Compared to past designs, modern vans continue to look more and more like passenger cars. Sleek lines and sharp details are becoming standard across all manufacturers – often influenced by efforts to streamline exteriors for improved aerodynamics. Therefore, modern roof racks need to match this design philosophy.
Rhino Products AluminiumRack is designed to be sleek and smooth, seamlessly integrating with the aesthetics of modern vans. Innovative features such as polymer composite nose cones improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise while driving.
With fleets and tradespeople investing heavily into branding and bespoke livery, opting for a roof rack designed with modern commercial vehicles in mind, whilst also maximising aerodynamic efficiency, is the perfect finishing touch.
Optimum fit
Making sure a roof rack is optimised for the van model, wheelbase and height is imperative. A poorly fitted roof rack will not only look odd but offer reduced usability and safety. Choosing an optimised design will also help ease fitting.
Rhino has designed the AluminiumRack to fit a wide selection of the most popular commercial vans across the UK, covering major brands such as Mercedes, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Ford. A compatibility tool and comparison tables on the Rhino Products website allows customers to check that their van is supported and select the optimum rack.
Bespoke installation kits tailored to each model and wheelbase deliver a perfect fit. Each kit includes instructions and all necessary parts and fitting materials to aid a quick and easy in installation.
Designed for efficiency
Improving fuel efficiency is a goal of all van fleets. Additionally, to help minimise environmental impact, many van fleets are going electric.
Whether fully electric, hybrid or combustion only – choosing a roof rack, which has reduced weight and good aerodynamic properties, helps to maximise range and fuel efficiency.
Rhino Products van roof racks have been carefully developed and optimised with particular attention to functionality, weight, aerodynamics and durability, ensuring that professionals and fleet managers can boost their productivity while maintaining complete vehicle efficiency.
About Rhino Products
Rhino Products are Europe’s leading manufacturers of commercial vehicle accessories, supplying van roof bars, racks, rear steps and ladder handling accessories to both trades people and some of the biggest named fleets around the world. Headquartered in the UK, the Rhino brand has grown from humble beginnings less than 20 years ago, to an international group of companies with two UK factories and three further sites in the Netherlands, Sweden and Poland. The group also includes the AVS Steps Ltd brand, a leading manufacturer of ambulance and passenger vehicle side steps, as well competitor commercial vehicle accessories manufacturer, Hubb Systems, who were recently acquired by the group.
For more information, visit www.rhinoproducts.co.uk
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