Different Cargo Transporting Options & Considerations
COMPARISON
Do you have too much stuff you need to take on holiday but not enough space in the car or boot?
Depending on you situation there is different options that will cater and solve your travel needs.
To enable us to analyze the different cargo transport options we will first discuss each option individually.
Trailer:
Trailers are a common sight on our roads and one of the most loved and treasured ways for transporting goods by South African’s
A trailer is a great solution for transporting huge amounts of cargo on long trips or simply transporting merchandise or building material, rubble and garden waste. To be honest it undoubtedly provides you with endless possibilities where other options can not measure up when talking about high volumes or long trips or extensive travels in and around neighboring countries.
Problems with Trailers:
Firstly you have to pay a high purchase prices or rental fees for a trailer and also need to keep on paying insurance, license and possibly storage fees that increase annually.
Secondly you also have to install a tow bar for the specific vehicle you want to use in conjunction with the trailer. The tow bar of the specific car is also not universal and can not easily be removed and attached to an a alternative car. The Trailer however is universal and can be used by a range of cars that has a tow bar installed.
Depending on the capacity of the car’s engine, smaller cars are not able to tow a trailer without struggling and using superfluous amounts of fuel.
It is true that a trailer offer more space for additional cargo but this also creates the problem of storage and maintenance of the trailer when it is not in use. Some people living in small complexes are forced to pay excessive storage fees and have the hassle of returning and fetching the trailer.
Further you need to pay special attention and inspect the tires and electrical connections to assure they are in perfect working condition to avoid accidents. The weight of the trailer also increase drag and fuel consumption of the car and decreases the stopping distance of a car.
Hard Roof Cargo Container
Hard Shell roof cargo containers are becoming more popular and people are realizing that in many instances the cargo container offers the solution and ratio for the trips where there is just too much cargo but just too little space inside the car and too little cargo to justify to take the trailer along or whether you simply want to improve the comfort of the occupants inside the car by providing more space in the cabin.
It will protect your belongings and cargo from elements and also decrease drag and fuel consumption compared to a trailer.
The disadvantages of the hard roof cargo Containers are that they don’t provide as much additional space as a trailer.
You require a factory fitted roof rack that usually is designed for a specific vehicle and can not be fitted on a secondary or third vehicle. The dimensions of the hard roof cargo container cant be decreased or modified if a smaller capacity is required.
The most common problem with the hard storage cargo containers are that they take a lot of space when not in use. The hard roof cargo container also can not be unloaded easily when it is still fully loaded. Some hard roof containers are difficult to install and manipulate and requires specific tools for assembly and disassembly.
Hard storage containers also tend to be very expensive and in most instances force you to buy a Factory fitted roof rack that tends to be just as expensive as the Hard storage container.
Forris Soft Roof Cargo Bag
The soft roof cargo Bag provides many possibilities depending on the specific setup you require. The soft roof cargo Bag can either be placed directly onto the car’s roof surface (if the specific vehicle roof is rigid enough and weight specification justifies it or it can be used with a conventional or inflatable roof rack .The soft roof cargo bags has a soft scratch résistance membrane embedded in the surface of the bag that will prevent scratches or damage to the car’s roof.
In the instance where the Soft Roof bag is used in conjunction with a factory fitted roof rack or a inflatable roof rack the additional aluminium beams can be inserted into the designs sleeve located in the bottom segment of the bag to allow the user to suspend the soft roof cargo bag on the roof rack.
The soft roof cargo bag further allows you to mould the bag's dimensions into the required shape. If more space is required the expandable zipper can easily be unzipped which provides additional space.
One of the most favorable characteristics is that the entire bag can easily be folded to fit into the small and handy carry bag which is lightweight and allow you to easily store the bag. The soft roof cargo bag can also be used in your travels and can be used as carry on luggage and then used with a rental car and in which case the user might be able to rent a cheaper smaller car with less luggage space saving more money. Can also be used in conjunction with a trailer for additional space.
Disadvantages of the soft roof cargo bag
Doesn’t offer as much storage capacity compared to a trailer. In severe weather conditions some moist or water may penetrate the bag. Lifespan and longevity of bag limited depending on manner in which bag is being utilized.