I recently risked and purchased some Q5 bars off of eBay because they are so readily available and affordable. I have an A4 Avant B8. A4 Avant bars are difficult to find for a reasonable price. The Q5 bars are too wide, but they do fit (sort of). Remove the feet, center, and drill the aluminum bars again (the back ones can re-use the inside holes). The front left foot has three dowel pins to match the holes on the Q5 rails, which is a minor additional issue. (To prevent them from being fitted improperly) The outside dim measures 45mm, while the others are 40mm. Just now, I removed the back two (the front one is the correct one to leave as it is parallel with the opposite pair). You might counter that by weakening the fixing, but when things are tight, I’m actually glad the bar is staying put. Another dowel could be drilled and spot-welded at a 40mm center if you were a little more technically inclined. Alternately, purchase additional bars and add two additional dowel feet. (You’d have to think about adjusting the security nut to match.) Additionally, if you were being extremely picky, you could shimmy the back bar with a washer to tip it forward even though it appears to be leaning back slightly.
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Roof racks can they be switched out?
Are roof rack accessories cross-brand compatible. Will I be restricted to only using attachments from that manufacturer’s crossbars if I buy them?
Expert Reaction:
Crossbar manufacturers offer interchangeable roof rack components. Just make sure they are suitable with the crossbar spread and their size when selecting an attachment like ski carriers or cargo boxes.
For instance, the Rhino Rack Roof Rack, which consists of parts # RRVA126B-2 and # RRSX100, features crossbars that are 3-1/8 inch wide and 1-3/16 inch height and is confirmed to fit your 2017 Subaru Forester if it has factory side rails. These fantastic aerobars have a 165-pound weight capability.
Then, when considering a roof cargo box, such as the Thule Force XT # TH6359B, you simply want to make sure that it will fit with the measurements of your crossbar. Aero crossbars with a maximum width of 3-1/2 inches and a maximum height of 1-11/16 inches can be used with this specific cargo box. The crossbar spread must be between 23-5/8 inches and 37-1/2 inches for it to function. The distance between the two crossbars on the roof of your Forester is referred to as the crossbar spread. The product page for the roof rack accessory will have a list of these measurements.
For your convenience, I’ve attached a link to our inventory of roof cargo boxes.
How can I tell if a roof rack will work with my vehicle?
Particularly if your car or truck also has a moon roof, your roof can only carry a certain amount of weight, and frequently, side rails and cross bars will have their own weight ratings. If you don’t have access to your vehicle’s owner manual, you can find the roof rack and load carrier capacity online.
Do all cars fit universal roof racks?
As you might anticipate, the crew at Roof Rack Centre has a lot of experience loading kayaks, bikes, and roof boxes onto vehicles. Their professional guidance will be helpful for your specific, nearly unique requirements because loads and autos differ greatly. They are delighted to provide this.
Everything you may possibly need for leisure or professional use on your car is available for purchase at the “Roof Rack Centre,” a special section of your Canoe & Kayak Center. Thule, Whispbar, Yakima, and Rhino-Rack are a few of our brands.
Particularly in New Zealand, there are many foreign automobiles that frequently require a different roof rack solution than what you could discover in a fit guide. We can provide more guidance on these.
- the horizontal bar that spans the width of the roof.
- the bottom of the bar’s feet
- a mounting kit made specifically for the vehicle
Although roof racks are compatible with 98 percent of automobiles, you will need particular equipment to attach them to your car.
Any roof rack that is put on your car’s rain gutters will almost probably work, although you might need to adjust the foot height and bar width. Most likely, you can use a rain gutter to transfer the rack from one vehicle to another.
The majority of roof racks, however, are made for vehicles without gutters because most current automobiles lack them. Others of these include rails, fix-points, or clamp mount systems, while some of them combine detachable and permanent mount designs.
The bar, “feet,” and “fit kit” that attach to the upper edge of the door jam to secure the roof rack to your gutterless car make up the roof rack. While each kit is tailored to fit a particular vehicle, the feet utilized are compatible with a wide range of vehicle types.
On each side of the roof, roof rails extend from front to back. Frequently, they come factory equipped. They cannot serve as roof racks on their own.
Roof bars that are clamp mounted (attached to the door frames using fit kits), fixed to factory installed fixpoints, or roof rail mounted run across the roof.
No, roof rails need internal roof mounts and are often installed during the manufacturing of the car. Although technically possible, the expense generally wouldn’t be justified since we already have a tailored solution for your vehicle. You can discover a roof rack that will fit your car without having to purchase a set of longitudinal roof rails.
Integrated Roof Rails typically consist of a raised, moulded profile that runs from front to back along both sides of the roof. Between the rail and the roof, there is NO GAP. These are often found on Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles.
A fix-point is a vehicle’s recessed, roof-mounted fixture point. Typically, it is a metal profile or threaded hole that is hidden by lift-up covers, slide-back covers, or plastic plugs.
A particular fit kit or bracket is available to clamp the roof bars from the inside of the door frame because some vehicles lack a fixpoint or rails. Contrary to popular belief, these systems are quite secure and only seldom need to be checked for tightness.
I don’t have any roof fixing points or rails. The roof bars are attached in what way?
One bar between the front doors and one bar between the back doors will typically clamp on. For example, look under the rubber door seals for any hidden fixing points. Keep in mind that the minor curvature you notice as you tighten some steel clamps on roof bars is very natural.
Typically, the top of the bar is 115mm above the roof. The majority of the time, the distance between the rail and the top of roof bars attached to longitudinal roof rails is 60mm.
Yes, as long as you stay within your vehicle’s permissible roof carrying weight limit, you are permitted to transport roof boxes and roof racks with the following widths. The through mount mechanism provides more weight carrying capacity in this situation.
Manufacturers of roof racks no longer produce a single rack that fits all vehicles since rain gutters are being phased out of new cars. However, some roof rack systems can be modified adequately using various fitting kits.
Most roof racks can be installed on vehicles without the use of special tools, but if they do, those tools are provided with the kit. We offer a free fitting service at the Roof Rack Center. (Permanent mount systems are an exception to this.)
No drilling is necessary unless you’re installing a permanent mount system or factory-style track. Don’t be afraid when it’s required. The identical techniques and supplies used on the production assembly line by the vehicle’s manufacturer will be used by us to complete the task for you.
Traditional rain gutters are becoming less common on automobiles, leaving either track mount or permanent mount systems as alternatives. We can drill holes for you safely here at the Roof Rack Centre. We carefully align the roof rack according to the mounting positions advised by the roof rack manufacturer, mark the locations of the mounting holes. We clear the region of all filings and trash before drilling to a safe depth; (this is very important). After that, we apply a specific anti-corrosion paint and a non-curing silicon compound to the drilled holes. With the aid of a specially shaped self-sealing rivet, the tracks or mounting pads are fastened to the surface of the roof.
NO RUST, NO LEAKS are guaranteed by the cleaning procedure, the anti-corrosion treatment, the use of Silicon compound, and the design of the self-sealing rivet.
Your vehicle won’t be scratched or harmed by a rack when it is placed correctly on a spotless roof. We advise you to frequently remove your roof rack to brush off any accumulated road grime.
Most racks are equipped with a common security locking mechanism. One can be ordered as an accessory if one is not included as standard.
For particular carrying capacity information, refer to your “owner’s manual” or the strength of your roof. The design and name of the roof rack can also affect this.
In most cases, no, however roof racks occasionally produce a tiny whistle when the aerodynamics of the car are changed. Frequently, shifting the front bar a little bit to the front or back will alleviate this minor annoyance.
According to our observations and the manufacturer’s advice, if you use your roof rack often but take it off the recommended number of times a year to clean it (and the car as well), you should have many years of reliable service.
Most roof rack systems can be easily removed, unless you have a permanent mount system in which the roof rack is welded to a track or your roof. But most owners continue to use them. If you choose to take them out, follow the removal instructions in reverse order after consulting your installation manual.
Although there are many different kinds of roof racksincluding inflatable and foam racksthe most secure solution in the long run will always be a sturdy aftermarket roof rack installed on the roof of your vehicle. There are handy and readily accessible accessories, such as kayak or canoe cradles and vertical bars (Fold-a-Poles), to which the kayak can be tied.
Otherwise, place your kayak upside-down on the roof racks if your car has them and no other fancy accessories to avoid the hull from being damaged. Find a comfortable spot for the kayak to rest on the roof racks by moving it about. Adjust the space between the roof racks as necessary.
However, turning most kayaks on their side is the best way to move them. Use a series of vertical posts called Fold-a-poles fastened to your roof rack bars. Transporting composite/fiberglass kayaks on kayak cradles is recommended.
Foam padding should be placed between the racks and the boat. Once everything is set up, the kayak should be fastened to the roof racks using tie downs. It’s a good idea to also secure the boat’s bow and stern to your car’s bumpers if you’re carrying a long boat.
If you decide to secure your kayak with rope or bungee cable, keep in mind that certain rope will stretch, especially when wet, making your kayak less secure. Because bungy is never substantial enough, we don’t recommend utilizing it. We sell specialized tie downs that are made for the purpose for about $50 per pair.
We advise tying down the bow and stern to the towing eyes on the truck, especially with longer boats. Use a tow flag that is affixed to the back of the load as well as a nighttime light to avoid a $350 fine. We have bow and stern straps that are affordable and simple to use at the Roof Rack Centre.
Here are some things you should be aware of because not all roof rack mounting types are appropriate. In general, bars with fixed point, vehicle-specific track, or gutter mount legs can be used to mount a rooftop tent. Use of non-specific vehicle tracks or clamp-style fitments is NOT advised.
When a rooftop tent is installed and operated, the following requirements MUST be recognized and followed:
When traveling on open roads, the combined weight of all items mounted on the roof, including a rooftop tent and bars, never exceeds the load rating of the vehicle’s roof. The load rating of the roof should be reduced by 30% when traveling off-road.
The total weight of the tent in use, including any occupants and possessions within, should never be more than double the load rating of the vehicle roof or roof bars in a static (stationary) situation.
There shouldn’t be any concentrated weight at either end and the load should always be distributed evenly throughout the bars.
Remember, call your neighborhood Roof Rack Centre if you have any questions about the best system for your car. We provide free installation, free consultation, and most importantly, a prompt and courteous service.
What distinguishes roof rails from roof racks?
You’ve probably thought about acquiring roof rails or roof racks if you want to expand your car’s cargo space. The best, safest method to transport luggage, bicycles, kayaks, and a variety of other items that simply won’t fit inside your car is using roof rails and roof racks. To support a roof basket, baggage box, ski rack, bike carrier, or kayak carrier, even a basic roof rail rack foundation may accommodate a wide variety of attachments and accessories.
Roof rails are another easy method to give your car a distinctive appearance and flair while also allowing you to secure cargo to the roof. The information provided here should assist you in choosing between roof rails and roof racks if you want to improve the load carrying capacity of your automobile but aren’t sure which option will work best.
Both roof rails and roof racks let you carry things safely on top of your automobile. This makes them extremely comparable. The direction in which these are positioned on top of your vehicles’ roofs is the key distinction between the two. For instance, roof racks are fitted across the roof and roof rails run the length of the car’s roof attached by feet or other installations.
Roof rails offer points of attachment for crossbars or other add-ons like a cargo box, a ski rack, or a cargo carrier. When necessary, it is simple to add and remove these baggage attachments. Vehicle roofs with flush-mounted roof rails lie flat with no gap between the rail and the roof.
Another distinction between the two is that roof racks are more durable and made to support heavier loads. It is crucial to have roof racks properly fitted since they can select the appropriate kind of roof rack for your requirements. They will also discuss the risks associated with loading the roof rack beyond its capacity.
Surprisingly, most people are unaware of the risks posed by a vehicle top that is overloaded. In addition to endangering the safety of the vehicle and its occupants, an overloaded roof rack can invalidate auto insurance claims in the event that the automobile is involved in an accident and its overloaded roof is found to be the cause.