You'll need a set of roof racks for hauling most heavy, irregularly shaped loads, and the one that came on the car may not be adequate.

Most car manufacturers offer "factory" racks as an accessory, but although they look sporty and sturdy, and come in handy when you're tying down a suitcase, they're usually capable of handling only stable loads of up to 100 pounds.

For skis and snowboards, and heavier items, such as bikes and boats, you'll need a heavy-duty rack designed specifically for your make and model of car. The standard roof rack consists of two crossbars and four foot mounts, which attach to the car's roof or (with older models) rain gutters. The leading roof-rack manufacturers are Thule and Yakima; both offer racks for most car makes and models, and their products are comparable in quality and selection. Barebones roof racks cost about $250 and are available at most ski, bike, and outdoor-sporting-goods stores.

NOTE: Assembling and mounting a roof rack for the first time often doesn't require tools, but it does require patience and a couple of hours of your time. If you're lacking either, the dealer will usually install it for no charge or a small fee.