Everything Above: Your Complete Guide to Vehicle Roof Products

Your vehicle's roof is one of its most versatile and underutilized real-estate opportunities. Whether you're loading up for a family road trip, outfitting a Jeep for weekend trail runs, upgrading an RV for full-time living, or simply replacing a worn soft top, the right roof products can transform how you use your vehicle. This category spans a wide range of solutions — from roof racks and roof luggage carriers to roof vents, rack accessories, and soft tops — covering nearly every vehicle type and use case imaginable.

What Do Roof Products Do?

At the most fundamental level, roof products expand your vehicle's capabilities. A roof rack turns an ordinary sedan, SUV, or truck into a capable hauler for bikes, kayaks, skis, and lumber. A roof luggage carrier or cargo box adds weatherproof storage that keeps your passenger cabin free. Roof vents regulate airflow and temperature inside RVs, camper vans, and trailers, making extended travel far more comfortable. Soft tops give open-air vehicle owners like Jeep and Bronco drivers a weather-resistant covering that can be quickly removed or stowed. And roof rack accessories — including crossbars, load stops, fairings, and mounting hardware — let you customize and expand a base rack system to match exactly what you're carrying.

Top Brands in Roof Products

Thule stands as the category's dominant force. Founded in Sweden in 1942, Thule specialized in roof racks and automotive accessories beginning in the 1960s and has grown into what many consider the world's leading manufacturer of load-carrying systems for vehicles. Their product lineup spans aerodynamic roof rack systems, hard-shell cargo boxes, and a vast ecosystem of compatible accessories — all engineered and rigorously tested at their dedicated test facility in Hillerstorp, Sweden.

Smittybilt brings a rugged, off-road-focused approach to roof products. Built on a legacy of four-wheel-drive innovation that dates back to the 1950s, Smittybilt specializes in heavy-duty tubular steel roof racks designed specifically for Jeep Wranglers and similar off-road platforms. Their SRC Roof Rack line is engineered with reinforced steel tubing and removable crossbars, making them equally at home on the trail or the highway.

MAXXAIR VENT is the go-to brand for RV and camper van roof ventilation. Since 1988, MAXXAIR has produced high-performance vent covers, ventilation fans, and replacement shrouds for all types of recreational vehicles. Their vent covers have protected more than 2 million RVs worldwide, and many models install without drilling into the roof surface — a key advantage for owners who want a clean, leak-free installation.

Bestop is a trusted name for Jeep tops and roof accessories, producing a wide range of soft tops, hardware, and related components that are renowned for their precise fit and durable construction. If you drive an open-air vehicle and need a reliable roof solution, Bestop consistently delivers.

URO rounds out the top brands with a focus on OEM-quality replacement roof components for European and import vehicles, providing a cost-effective alternative for drivers who need to restore factory fit and function.

How to Shop Roof Products

• Know your vehicle's roof type: Bare roof, raised rails, flush rails, or fixed points all require different mounting solutions.
• Match capacity to your load: Dynamic (in-motion) and static weight ratings differ — always check both before purchasing a rack or carrier.
• Consider aerodynamics: Wide, boxy accessories can increase wind noise and reduce fuel efficiency; aerodynamic designs mitigate both.
• Think about access: For cargo boxes, dual-side opening designs offer loading flexibility regardless of where you're parked.
• RV and van buyers: Measure your roof vent opening (most are standard 14" x 14") and confirm roof thickness before ordering a powered fan or cover.