ALL ABOUT TRANSPORTING THE KART

If you decide to discard option one, but still have the idea of ​​using the car, an alternative is to load the kart directly on the roof. An operation that you can hardly perform alone, keeping in mind that you should lift a weight of about 70-80 kg (variable according to the type of kart). Therefore opting for roof transport necessarily requires the presence of at least one other person. And unless you want to ruin the bodywork of your car, you need to equip yourself with bars or roof racks. The first are transversal elements, the average cost of which is around 70-80 euros (practically the same amount in dollars). There are special attachments on the car roof to install them. If not, there are kits, sold at the same time as the bars (often included in the price) that "hook" the upper edge under the door using a hook system. The upper part of the bars is, in some cases, covered with non-slip rubber, in order to prevent the movement of the load. In principle, if we take as a reference cars ranging from the compact segment (Ford Fiesta) to that of the larger family members (Volkswagen Passat) the distance between the two bars will be around 700-800 mm (27.5-31, 5 inches). This means that the wheels of the kart, both front and rear, will be outside the "pitch" between the two bars, since, depending on the model, the most common wheelbase of karts is between 1045 and 1055 mm (41 -41.5 inches). The bars tend to be calibrated to support a weight up to 100 kg. However, there are no luggage racks dedicated to the transport of karts. These are elements that must be fixed to the cross bars mentioned above and can cost figures in the order of 500 euros. The only tangible advantage over a pair of bars is that they have a floor. So even more functional to keep the load firm.

If you have any doubts about the regularity of placing a kart on the roof of a car, know that its dimensions are not such as to exceed the shape of the car. In fact, every country applies its own rules, so it would be wise to consult its own highway code. In Italy, for example, the roof load can protrude laterally up to a maximum of 30 cm from the position lights (maximum overall width 2.55 m / 100 inches). At the rear, on the other hand, the load can exceed up to 30% of the length of the vehicle (and must be indicated with a special panel). Finally, no front projection is allowed. This last rule is basically valid for all of Europe. In New Zealand, however, again for example, the load must not extend more than 1.275 meters (50 inches) on either side of the vehicle's centerline. The maximum width of the vehicle with the load can reach 2.55 m (100 inches), exactly as in Italy. The Australian National Transport Commission sets the total width of the vehicle at 2.5 meters (98 inches) with the load above the roof, or otherwise protruding on the sides. Finally, in the United States they are more permissive, because in fact the highway code simply says to secure the load, which must not protrude dangerously.

A valid alternative as a means of transport for your kart is obviously the pick-up. Vehicles with a cargo area are suitable for those who do not want to equip themselves with an appendage trolley or trolley (which we will discuss later). But be careful to take the measurements correctly, because it is not taken for granted that the kart can fit in the rear portion of the vehicle. The entrance of the caisson usually varies between 140 and 150 centimeters (55-59 inches). While the length, which is a median value, is around one meter and 80 (71 inches). As for the kart, not all models are necessarily perfectly compatible with the spaces offered by the body. Because we must take into account the presence of the rear wheel arches, which reduce the width from the aforementioned 140-150 centimeters, up to values ​​of about 120 centimeters (47 inches). Therefore it might be possible that for some types of karts it will be necessary to remove the tires. The above values ​​are to be considered valid looking at the main models officially marketed by car manufacturers on the European and Australian markets. As for the pick-ups on the American market, they have even more generous body dimensions, especially when it comes to the distance between the wheel arches: the Ford F-350 has a value of almost 130 centimeters (51 inches), 128.5 ( 50 inches) instead of the Ford F-150. While the maximum width reaches 176 cm (69 inches).