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Prerequisite for the roof rack - the roof rails!

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Recently updated on October 11, 2023 at 02:33 am

Prerequisite for the roof rack - the roof rails!

[Update: 11.10.2023] This post was updatedto take more recent information into account. Not every car has roof rails as standard. This is because the manufacturers have the equipment variant as an optional extra in their portfolio. Many consumers often don't think about the benefits of roof rails when buying a new car. It is only when the car is used in practice and on a daily basis that most people realize how useful this could be. One roof box or a universal one roof rack without railing? Normally does not work! But that's not a problem. After all, you can retrofit roof rails. However, ordering one from the manufacturer that fits your own car model is sometimes expensive. The roof rails also have to be installed. And in this case this happens in the workshop.

Crop yourself and save money?

If you only realize after buying a car that you need or want roof rails, you can also get one as an alternative universal Grab roof rails, which are not really easy to retrofit. These often involve black or chrome-plated rails and the necessary fastening material. Everything comes together in a retrofit kit. But you should definitely make sure that the rails are suitable for the vehicle model. There are providers from the Far East who approach this a little differently.

Prerequisite for the roof rack - the roof rails!

There are rails that are so long that they would fit as roof rails on a station wagon as well as on a small car. This type of universal roof rails is characterized by the fact that the rails included in the set must be shortened according to the length of the car's roof rails. Often this happens in the middle. The two parts are then put back together using connecting pieces. This sometimes requires special tools. You either have this in your own toolbox or you have to borrow it. It is important to ensure that the universal roof rails for retrofitting are not longer than permitted for the respective car model. Of course it shouldn't be any shorter.

Such a self-built part and TÜV?

Prerequisite for the roof rack - the roof rails!

It will probably be rather difficult to get such a railing registered. And then you also need to securely attach a heavy roof box, bicycles or other objects to it? Understandably, the inspector takes a very close look at universal or retrofitted roof rails. We strongly advise against it! Universal roof rails for retrofitting are inexpensive, but they are more time-consuming to install than rails from the manufacturer that are tailored precisely to the car model. In contrast to the tailor-made roof rails from the manufacturer for the respective car model, the universal ones must be approved by the TÜV as a retrofit set. 

Disadvantages of the retrofit kits

Because the universal roof rails do not come with a general operating permit (ABE) delivered. If the universal was installed correctly, the change to the vehicle will be recorded in the vehicle documents at the TÜV. Of course, there is a fee for this. The chances that it works, but are rather bad. If you don't want an original component from the manufacturer, make sure that you choose a European or, if possible, German provider. All documents that make registration possible must be included.

FAQ on the topic of “roof rails”

1. Preface

  • What is the roof rails? The roof rails are an essential component, especially for station wagons and vans, and enable the Transporting items on the vehicle roof.
  • How do you use roof rails? The roof rails are a practical solution for this Transporting bulky objects such as bicycles, skis or additional luggage by serving as a base for mounting a roof rack.
  • What exactly is a railing on a car? A railing, often in the form of a roof rail on the car, serves as porters and allows various items to be transported on the roof of the vehicle by fixing crossbars.

2. species

  • What types of roof rails are there? The roof rails are divided into: open and closed Variants that differ in their positioning on the vehicle roof.
  • Are all roof rails the same? No, roof rails don't just differ in open and closed types, but also in shape, color and material, which also influences the selection of a suitable roof rack.

Prerequisite for the roof rack - the roof rails!

3. Retrofitting and removal

  • Is it possible to retrofit roof rails? Yes, a railing can be retrofitted, although certain Documents (e.g. ABE) or TÜV registrations may be necessary, depending on the specific roof rails.
  • Can you remove roof rails? A railing can be removed, but it is a complex process, which requires careful sealing of the resulting “wounds” on the roof.

4. Construction and fastening 

  • How stable are roof rails? A railing is usually very stable and can up to 100 kilograms of load when installed and used correctly.
  • How are the roof rails attached? The railing comes with several screw points firmly attached to the body structure and should be tight and free of tension to ensure maximum safety.

5. Personalization

  • What do open roof rails look like? An open railing shows you free space between the car roof and the railing itself, through which you can reach.
  • Is it possible to wrap a railing? Yes, roof rails can be wrapped, but it requires Time, care and precision, especially with the small, complex parts of the railing.

6. speed limits

  • Is there a speed limit when using roof rails? Although there is no maximum speed limit set by law, most manufacturers recommend one Recommended speed of 130 km / h when driving with a roof rack.

Prerequisite for the roof rack - the roof rails!

We hope you have the info report on the topic / term Roof rails (further names / keywords: railing) from the field of autotuning. Our goal is to create the largest German-speaking tuning lexicon (Tuning Wikipedia) and to explain tuning technical terms from A to Z easily and comprehensibly.

Prerequisite for the roof rack - the roof rails!

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About Thomas Wachsmuth

Thomas Wachsmuth - He has been an integral part of tuningblog.eu since 2013. His passion for cars is so intense that he invests every available penny in them. While he dreams of a BMW E31 850CSI and a Hennessey 6x6 Ford F-150, he currently drives a rather inconspicuous BMW 540i (G31/LCI). His collection of books, magazines and brochures on the subject of car tuning has now reached such proportions that he himself has become a walking reference work for the tuning scene.  More about Thomas

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