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Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:35 am
by Body File
Hey hey,
I've seen some awesome mods on here. I've got a few ideas myself but have got stumped on one silly part.
Roof rails, more specifically cross rail mounting points!
Can anyone pass on some ideas reference how they mounted their bars onto their van?
I would love to just come over and take a peek at your van, but i have the regrettable pleasure of living in Northern Alberta.
On the plus side, i work in an aircraft production facility so manufacture isnt a problem.
Anywho, any advice or pics or plans would be uber helpfull
-BF
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:58 am
by Green1
rails are usually attached to the gutters, either clamped on, or bolted through, though I have seen some bolted directly throught the roof, but I don't recommend it.
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:12 pm
by nishby
Yakima 1A High-rise Towers. Easy to take on and off. Nice and secure.
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:25 pm
by Bessie the Mud Slayer
nishby wrote:Yakima 1A High-rise Towers. Easy to take on and off. Nice and secure.
+1 on that.
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:46 am
by Body File
nishby wrote:Yakima 1A High-rise Towers. Easy to take on and off. Nice and secure.
Thanx for the info, exactly what i needed
-BF
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:15 pm
by flyfishn
Where do you find those Yakimas?
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 6:32 pm
by nishby
Should be able to pick them up at lots of bike shops, board shops, and outfitters. I'm not in BC so I don't know where specifically.
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:53 pm
by Bessie the Mud Slayer
In Kamloops they have em at The Rack Shack and also Cap It. The rack shack was never open so I got it at Cap it. They're a bit of a trick to install without hitting the crystal light roof, but after the first time its a snap from then on.
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:20 pm
by Body File
are they strong enough to mount one of those nice custom aluminum racks to?
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:35 pm
by nishby
The custom aluminum racks should have their own mounts. There are a few custom shops making them but again, since I'm not in BC, I don't know who to recommend. Maybe enviroimports.com?
If you go with the Yakima towers/bars, you can get their roof baskets which are pretty beefy & nice. Not sure which is the cheaper option in the end.
Shane.
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:40 pm
by Dewy
I found an old simple rack and used curved bamboo to get over the high top. And drove to Cabo, Baja and back with two surfboards. Might not be the prettiest but it worked.
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:02 am
by EnviroImports.com
Dewy wrote:I found an old simple rack and used curved bamboo to get over the high top. And drove to Cabo, Baja and back with two surfboards. Might not be the prettiest but it worked.
Thats AWSOME . I Love that.
I have some FAST growing giant bamboo in my yard, we were talking about weaving it into a roof rack basket, probably wont do it, but was a cool idea,
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:04 pm
by KA43
hope this helps.

Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:42 pm
by jwfchase
Bessie the Mud Slayer wrote:In Kamloops they have em at The Rack Shack and also Cap It. The rack shack was never open so I got it at Cap it. They're a bit of a trick to install without hitting the crystal light roof, but after the first time its a snap from then on.
How much just for the towers?
Re: Roof Rails-do you know how???
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:24 pm
by TardisDeli
We have tried to modify various racks for our canoes, kayaks etc, didnt want to spend the big bucks, still not perfect, but done heaps of research on the local deli's (lucky we have many nearby to look at). Position: most people put above the flat part of the roof (where the longitude lines are not). I think they might be better above the posts where the side windows are not. Beware load, have seen some with the side rain gutters bent down from the weight of rack and gear. Some remove the shiny "metal" plastic cover on the rain gutter. We have the high roof, note the rear rack needs to be inch or 2 taller than the front rack due to roof curve. Some protection above the rear door is good as canoes scratch the roof above the door unless we get very tall folk to help lift them up to the racks.
We will see Fexlboi tonight, they had a custom rack built for recent trip to Yukon so will assess how their gutters look now they have retd. Great Example of what to do is Erebus (fred, in Calgary), it's super sturdy and time proven. If his online pics arent clear, ask him or Green1 to email you details.
If you have specific questions, feel free to PM us.
What are you using for. if load is camping stuff we prefer the princess auto basket on the E&H trailer hitch, much more stable.