If you own a Mini Countryman, you don't have to lease a bigger car to suit bigger storage requirements for your adventures and weekend getaways. Accordingly, it is now possible to safely carry your bike, watersport gear, and cargo carriers with the help of the best roof rack for Mini Countryman.
As we seek to provide you with a buying guide for the best Mini Countryman roof rack, let's first get to know what a roof rack is.
What is a Roof Rack?
A roof rack is a car accessory installed on top of its roof as a cargo carrier or cargo box for bulky items such as bikes, skis, heavy luggage, and canoes.
These mounted accessories come in handy to optimize the interior car space and provide room for carrying items that may not fit in cars, such as a Mini Countryman. Fitting, in this case, refers to either small trunk capacities or the item to be carried is large and cannot be folded, such as a kayak.
There are different types of roof racks for different purposes, which will be covered in detail within this article. Therefore, having established what a Roof Rack is, let us look at the five best roof racks for Mini Countryman.
1. MotorFansClub Roof Rack Cross Rail Luggage Rack
MotorFansClub Roof Rack Cross Bars Fit for Compatible with Mini Cooper Countryman 2011-2018...
- 【Our Advantage】 Bars made from high grade aluminum, base feet...
- 【Attention & Fitment 】The cargo luggage crossbars roof rack...
- 【Easy installation & Less Wind Noise】Easy to assemble &...
- 【Function】Great solution if you have oversized items that you...
- 【Adjustable Roof Racks with Locks】The design of adjustable...
A good choice for the best roof rack for Mini Countryman is the MotorFansClub luggage rack. It is most suitable for installation on cross rail rack systems and compatible with 2011-2018 models of the Mini Countryman. When it comes to its functionality, it can help you carry oversized items on your Mini, such as canoes, big loads, skis, kayaks, bikes, snowboards, bikes, and fishing poles, among other oversized items you might have.
This outstanding rack is effective for its high-quality aluminum frame and plastic feet materials, making it lightweight and able to carry up to 100 kg/220lbs. Additionally, this MotorFansClub kit is easy to mount and dismantle without requiring any cutting or drilling. The design of this rack is based on adjustable grips to fit raised SUV roof rails on the side with an additional feature of lock and key for safety. Also, it is made in a streamlined aerodynamic style that reduces wind noise and enables effective water dropping.
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2. Yakima LoadWarrior Cargo Basket
YAKIMA - LoadWarrior, Rooftop Cargo Basket for Equipment and Gear Storage
- Sturdy design: Weather-resistant heavy-duty steel construction...
- Compatible: Accommodates most Yakima gear mounts for all your...
- Space for your gear: Ideal for loads both tall and wide; Can...
- Easy installation: Quick to install; Minimal assembly required
- We’ve got your back guarantee: Covered by our Limited Lifetime...
This Yakima cargo basket is another great alternative among cargo baskets that you can mount on your Countryman. It is made of heavy-duty alloy steel that gives it a sturdy design for increased weather resistance. This heavy-duty rack is also reinforced with custom wind fairing for an added noise reduction while in motion. You can easily load various wide and tall cargo ranging from sports gear to even furniture.
Additionally, this brand of cargo baskets is compatible with Yakima square, aerodynamic, and round crossbars to allow adequate load space. It can also accommodate a variety of outdoor gear mounts. While installing it, it requires minimal assembly and is quick to mount. When you buy this item, It also comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, and it is possible to add extensions for increased storage space.
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3. Thule Sidekick Rooftop Cargo Box
If you prefer a closed roof rack, the Thule sidekick cargo box is an ideal alternative. Unlike other open racks, the cargo boxes are made with the idea of protecting your cargo from weather conditions that might cause their damage. During your search for this roof cargo box, you should know that it has a smaller capacity for small cargo such as golf clubs and camping gear. Nevertheless, it is compact, thus leaving room for other roof-mounted accessories.
To ensure your cargo box is secure after mounting, this model of roof cargo box comes with sturdy U-bolts with adjustable brackets and reinforcement plates. This model of roof cargo boxes also comes with ease of loading and offloading due to its passenger-side opening.
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4. YAKIMA - EasyTop, Instant Roof Rack
Yakima - EasyTop Removable, Universal Roof Rack, Installs in Minutes, Carries Kayaks, Skis,...
- Add a durable, removable roof rack to your vehicle in minutes;...
- Equipped to hold skis, snowboards, paddleboards, surfboards,...
- Includes 2 heavy-duty straps and 2 tie-down ropes for tool-free...
- A convenient travel accessory, this soft and sturdy roof rack is...
- This removable car rack weighs less than 5 pounds, so toting your...
EasyTop is an easy roof rack that you can conveniently strap onto most vehicles and carry long gear such as skis, snowboards, and ladders. Its ease of installation features its simplicity of looping the rack through door frames and buckling it to secure its position on the roof. You might view this simplicity as insecure, but this rack model has thick padding to protect your gear and your vehicle while in motion. Additionally, it has a double-latch buckling system to add security for your cargo.
However, thus Yakima rack cannot be used on vehicles with sliding doors or gull-wing doors. Nonetheless, it is affordable, and you can easily install it even on rental cars. Furthermore, if you encounter any fault upon purchase, this product has a limited lifetime warranty with free shipping for replacements.
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5. Thule Hull-a-Port Rooftop Kayak Carrier
Thule Hull-a-Port Rooftop Kayak Carrier
- High-performance, easy to use rooftop rack for one kayak
- Wide mouth J-profile offers simple loading and unloading
- Angled shape provides stable, space-saving design
- Thick all-weather pads for maximum kayak protection
- Durable straps keep kayak firmly secured in transit
The Thule kayak carrier is an alternative roof rack suitable for carrying one kayak. It eliminates the worry of scratching your vehicle and kayak while loading, offloading, and moving due to its protective Thule bumper buckle. You can also be sure of the protection of your Kayak through this rack's thick all-weather pads. Moreover, it makes it easy for you to load and unload your kayak due to its J-profile wide-mouth design.
After loading the kayak, its angled shape makes it stable and space-saving. In addition to its ease of use and safety, it comes with durable and powerful straps for securing the kayak while in transit. Also, due to exposure to water from rain and water sports, this rack is built with rust-resistant hardware for longer utility.
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What to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Roof Rack for Mini Countryman
1. Type of Rack
There are different brands and types of roof racks depending on the cargo you intend on carrying. Therefore, it will be prudent to consider what load you intend to move to shop for the best Mini Countryman roof rack. The following are the most common mini countryman roof racks:
a. Cargo & Luggage Racks
These roof cargo racks can carry ordinary family luggage with an increased storage capacity that doesn't limit what you bring with you. Under this roof rack type, there is the cargo box, cargo basket, or cargo bag. Each of these sub cargo racks has its own suitability, making them ideal for different Mini Countryman travelers.
Firstly, cargo baskets are most suitable for off-road traveling due to their toughness to withstand the rough off-road conditions. Secondly, cargo boxes are suitable for storing any cargo that you need to keep dry including boards, and skis. Thirdly, cargo bags provide adequate storage space at an affordable rate.
b. Water Sport Racks
Besides family outdoor expeditions, you might be using a Mini Cooper for your water sports adventures. Therefore, there are roof racks that are built specifically for safe and easy transportation of your Canoe or Kayak.
c. Bike Racks
You might also wish to carry your bike with your Mini Cooper. Subsequently, there are suitable bike racks that you can be mounted on the roof, a trailer hitch, spare tire, trunk, and pick-up bed. Considering that in this case, we are interested in a roof rack, it would be best to check if the bike rack you get for your Mini Countryman can be mounted on its roof.
2. Weight a Rack can Hold
Roof racks as additional storage accessories have few contact points on the car roof, making it necessary to distribute luggage weight evenly. Even distribution of rack weight will ensure that your Mini Cooper bears the extra weight without its roof getting damaged. Additionally, it is critical to ensure that your roof rack can withstand wind-exerted stress on the roof luggage when driving at high speeds. Accordingly, the best roof rack for Mini Countryman should be specially made to cater to even weight distribution even at high speeds.
Specifically for the Mini Cooper, the recommended roof weight limit is 165lbs/75kg, including rack weight and accessories. Most definitely, the larger allocation of this load goes to the carried load. For instance, it would be easy to transport the following with a Mini Countryman's roof:
- 2 kayaks, each with its own roof adapter and straps
- 2 hand cargo bags, approximately 23kg each
- 3 adult mountain bikes with their bike racks with extra space of two kid's bikes and their bike racks
3. Rack Material
The best roof cargo carriers should be made with strong and lightweight material. Considering that roof racks are exposed to harsh exterior conditions and heavy loads, they must be strong for durability and reliability. However, in as much as you need a strong and durable rack, it should also be light to allow you to maximize the load you can carry on your Mini Cooper. In this consideration, quality roof racks are made with aluminum for light weight, strength, and durability, while some with heavy-duty alloy steel to withstand harsh weather conditions.
In most cases, you should expect quality material racks to be expensive. Therefore, the price can act as a guide to identifying the best-built Mini Cooper racks.
4. Base Roof Rack Systems
It is also important to consider the roof rack system of your car before considering the most appropriate roof rack. For example, you will need strong roof rails or cross bars to support the carrier of your choice. Also, it is important that your base roof rack system is multi-functional to allow various cargo carriers for different cargo. In the end, reliable rack systems ensure secure rack installation that can hold maximum heaviness.
5. Aerodynamics
Moreover, a roof rack should be aerodynamic for minimal stress on the vehicle's movement and rooftop. Considering that a roof rack acts as a wind barrier, it can increase your car's drag, therefore increasing fuel consumption. Subsequently, roof racks are made with designs that allow air to pass under and over the rack evenly. Such aerodynamic systems help reduce your car's drag and prevent the cargo from lifting off the vehicle while in motion.
Therefore, the best roof carrier for your vehicle is one with possibly the latest and advanced aerodynamics for load carrying. You will, in turn, have little increases in fuel consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Roof Rack for Mini Countryman
1. Can you put a rack on a Mini Countryman roof with a sunroof?
Yes, it is possible to mount a rack or carrier on a car rooftop with a sunroof. Most importantly, all products come with directions if they are suitable for such installations. First, however, you need to check your vehicle's sunroof functionality if it works when various cargo carriers are installed.
2. Why are roof racks so expensive?
Roof racks are expensive due to the innovation involved in making them lightweight and durable while still carrying cargo boxes while a vehicle is in motion. Therefore, their price is usually high to provide a customer with quality extra storage on the roof of a vehicle. However, even though you might pay a high price on the best roof rack for Mini Countryman, you can be guaranteed your luggage and car safety.