Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Roof bars on flush roof rails

Reply
Created by dingfix > 9 months ago, 13 Jun 2019
dingfix
84 posts
13 Jun 2019 2:18AM
Thumbs Up

I recently changed cars and the new one has roof rails that are flush-mount to the roof. The roof bars attach to the rails by hooking under a small lip that runs along the outside of the rails.

The size of this lip worries me, it's narrow and just I can't see the mounting being anywhere near as strong or secure as on my old car which had raised roof rails.

Anyone got a car with these flush rails, had any problems?

Thanks.

bomberdave
VIC, 396 posts
13 Jun 2019 2:07PM
Thumbs Up

Dingfix I had the old style roof racks on an old honda I too was concerned and ended up like this...








dingfix
84 posts
14 Jun 2019 12:29AM
Thumbs Up

Thanks, and ouch!

Those racks look like they clamp onto the car, the ones i have clamp onto the fixed rails that run the length of the roof as seen on most wagons and suv's.

The rails on my new car are flush fit, the old ones were raised. Hope I've explained that better? Anyone got experiences of these new style rails?

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
14 Jun 2019 7:42AM
Thumbs Up

Why don't you go to a roof rack specialist they'll sort you

808-Obsession
QLD, 440 posts
14 Jun 2019 8:18AM
Thumbs Up

I have a Mini Cooper that has semi-flush rails that my Thule racks clamp onto (like this pic but with extended overhang on ends of cross bars). Have done many hundreds of km's with 2 x 33" wide (stacked) SUP's with no problems at all. No idea how well they're anchored inside the roof as it's covered by the liner inside, but so far (touch wood) they're solid as a rock, even cruising at 110kmh for a couple of hours at a stretch



DavidJohn
VIC, 17408 posts
14 Jun 2019 11:04AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
dingfix said..
I recently changed cars and the new one has roof rails that are flush-mount to the roof. The roof bars attach to the rails by hooking under a small lip that runs along the outside of the rails.

The size of this lip worries me, it's narrow and just I can't see the mounting being anywhere near as strong or secure as on my old car which had raised roof rails.

Anyone got a car with these flush rails, had any problems?

Thanks.




I had these on my Suzuki Swift and often had three and even four big DW boards stacked high on the roof without a problem.

Also many interstate trips with three boards stacked on the roof at highway speeds and strong winds. I had no problems.

I'm guessing this is the same type.. Do you have a picture or link?

This is the type that was on my Swift.

dingfix
84 posts
15 Jun 2019 4:56AM
Thumbs Up

Thanks everyone, the rails on my car are same as on 808's Mini Cooper.

So 808, I already have a quality set of roof bars (Thule) but the way they attach to the roof rails worries me. There is only a slight lip on the rails which the bar-feet clip under. My old car had the raised rails and the roof bars clamped to them very securely, almost wrapping right under the rails.

Have you done any long trips and highway speeds, any problems, are they secure?

Thanks.


New-style rails



Old-style Raised rails



DaveSandan
VIC, 1364 posts
15 Jun 2019 7:28AM
Thumbs Up

I have the new type rails on my car and have never had a problem and als ohave Thule racks, don't stress it will be fine!

dingfix
84 posts
15 Jun 2019 6:05AM
Thumbs Up

Thanks Dave. Not sure I like the design of these new rails, not much of a lip on them, but sounds like they do the job..... Cheers.

808-Obsession
QLD, 440 posts
15 Jun 2019 9:26AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
dingfix said..
Thanks everyone, the rails on my car are same as on 808's Mini Cooper.

So 808, I already have a quality set of roof bars (Thule) but the way they attach to the roof rails worries me. There is only a slight lip on the rails which the bar-feet clip under. My old car had the raised rails and the roof bars clamped to them very securely, almost wrapping right under the rails.

Have you done any long trips and highway speeds, any problems, are they secure?

Thanks.


New-style rails



Old-style Raised rails




Have done many many km's with no problem at all - I know it looks like not much of a lip for the leg bracket to grab, but I've never had an issue. I was very diligent in checking regularly at first that there was no movement (even made reference marks to check!) and in well over 5000kms with SUPs on the roof, the bars haven't moved once. Mind you, I make sure they're still on super tight every couple hundred km's

Emeboy
NSW, 399 posts
15 Jun 2019 2:31PM
Thumbs Up

Oh yeah,
I have a similar style on my Everest... Did the Perth/Sydney drive with a 14ft and shortboard on top no problem. I agree they looked a bit suss when I first fitted the racks but they have been solid for 2 years now.....

dingfix
84 posts
15 Jun 2019 8:19PM
Thumbs Up

Great info, thanks guys. Got a long road trip coming up so pleased i checked.

Slab
1061 posts
16 Jun 2019 3:39AM
Thumbs Up

My friend has these rails and Thule rack....twice the SUP took off at speed on the motorway.....the boards and rack right up into the air.





Ha, only joking....he drives at speed no probs

HOOLIGAN
9 posts
16 Jun 2019 5:13AM
Thumbs Up

Seasucker Racks. Vacuum on to the roof. Best investment I've made in a rack ever



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Stand Up Paddle General


"Roof bars on flush roof rails" started by dingfix