The invention relates to a load carrier for motor vehicles, in particular in the form of a roof rack, consisting of at least two carrier bridges arranged offset at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The carrier bridges in each case comprise a crossbar as well as fastening feet which are able to be mounted on both sides of the vehicle. The angle brackets serve as lateral load stops on the crossbars. The angle brackets are able to be pivoted back and forth between an active, open position and an inactive, closed position in which they do not produce air turbulence and thus effect additional travel noise.