Gents

I'm looking at roof rack options for my full fat as we are about to go camping and the dog and children's kit takes most of the interior space up. We have a bike rack on the tow bar so that's out. At the moment, I'm looking at the Thule options and the sports bars that I understand bolt into the roof fixtures. I read somewhere that the box hangs of the back with the sports bars on and someone told me the Thule racks have potential issues with not being a good fit.

Any thought gratefully received!

I'm a Thule fan - I did 1000's of miles with them on mine in various combinations of 4 bikes / kayaks / roof box / skis & snowboards with no problems at all.

I didn't want anything permanent - and wanted them to lock to the car.

I though they were a good fit - and all their other kit fits properly & locks to their bars

Thanks Alistair. It's interesting as I found a place to hire the thule racks and a roof box to save them sitting about and they told me they have added the L322 RR to the 'no fit list' which doesn't make sense to me as the Thule website lists it!

Anyway, how did you find the clamps adjacent to the door rubbers? Did they mark the roof etc?

I thought the sports bars looked good but I'm not sure if you have to break the little covers for the roof fixture points?

I worried at first. but mine didn't mark - I placed them towards the rear of each door arch & they seemed fine - the door just closed & the rubbers just flex around them.

I've seen some people put a rag between them & the body work, but I thought that would just make for a poor fit

I can't remember who it was but someone on the forum posted about this a while back that they used the Thule system that goes into the hidden fixings, saying that it fitted well even though Thule don't have it their fitting list. Maybe my memory is awry but I seem to recollect that fitting didn't require snapping of the fixing covers either.

Perhaps best to wait a bit to see if that contributor sees your thread.

Better in every conceivable way than Thule

http://www.rhinorack.co.uk/Vehicle_LAND%20..._4101.aspx 2008 MY Supercharged
Rimini Red / Jet
four zone climate
remote park heater
and no ugly kid windows.
magnus satis quod turpis satis

Very nice Axle but priced to match!

For what its worth I have the genuine LR sports bars and they are excellent quality. The fitting is a bit of a fag but once fitted they feel like they could carry the town hall.

Only issue is they are fixed positions so am not sure how this interacts with some roof boxes. Other than that if you suspect you will ever need to transport a dead elephant or small aircraft these are the ones for you!!  405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Thanks Ajac8. I quite like the Sorts Bars too as they attach to the roof fittings..Did you have to remove the little fitting covers on the roof? I've heard some require the covers to be cut off which would mean they are permanently mounted!

I wonder if a roof box would fit with them on?

AFAIK the sports bars can be fitted with the flaps remaining just opened up.

I had the genuine track system and it requires the flaps to be removed probably where the confusion is.

Also I believe it is possible to fit three sports bars by getting two sets and cutting one down to fit as I've seen them being sold in 3s which others have did.

The little flaps pop up easily and remain vertical on the inner side of the bar foot. They can be a bit fragile but do not need removing. They simply click back down into place after the bars are removed.

The roof bars are not the same length as the middle fixing point is wider than the front. I've not tried which bar fits the rear but I bet its one of them - I cant ever see LR producing roof bar that needs 'cutting down'. A simple measurement should suffice.  405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

I have a set of sports bars and they are easy to fit, each foot simply has a Torx screw which screws into a threaded hole in the roof. Dead easy.

100% the flaps can stay I think the roof is narrower at the back than the front so a third bar will probably need trimming. Shouldn't be difficult to do though.

I got mine 2nd hand off here and a wanted ad would be a good idea, if not then EBay. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

@Jase71,

I have a set of the original LR roof bar going spare (I have roof rails which take a different type of bar). they don't have working locks IIRC, but then if anyone wants to get your rack off, they can easily do it anyway even with locks.

They may do as a short-term solution for your hols.

PM me if you are interested. Am Bristol based.


DB

Ah Dolphin Boy, that is hugely kind! I bought the thule ones with the aero bar on the weekend and I've only just seen your kind offer..%^$% !!

I manage to borrow a mates roof box so I'm still pretty happy. Just need to prep the fullfatty for its adventures now.

Thanks again.

Jase

Again if you want three bars you have to get the rhino Rack sports bars because they are the only ones that are adjusted for height and width so you can have a flat run to fit trays and the like . 2008 MY Supercharged
Rimini Red / Jet
four zone climate
remote park heater
and no ugly kid windows.
magnus satis quod turpis satis