Part number: roof rails?
- Thread starter Leigh
- Start date
I spent ages looking into this, largely because the VW cross bars sit too low to the roof for an inverted kayak to not rub the roof. The clamp system also isn't the strongest as the bars sit between the rails rather than on top which is desirable for load clearance.
I've historically used Thule bars on other vehicles but they don't actually have any certified for use with original VW T5/6 roof rails (same part). I had a conversation with their technical department having emailed a cross section profile of the roof rails but they still weren't very helpful and indeed didn't seem to know their product or the potential market with Transporter owners.
However, both Thule 757 and 775 feet kits will fit and will accept any of their bar systems. you'll need 150cm ones, the other options are all too short. The 150cm bar will oversail the rails slightly and could be cut down but will need some filing on the underside to accept the end caps securely.
I went for second hand 757 feet (older and often available cheap with chuck away bars on Gumtree!) and 150cm wing bars
Buy Thule 757 Railing Rapid System Foot Pack For Cars With Roof Rails Roof Bars at Tredz Bikes. £74.69 with free UK delivery
Buy Thule 963 Wing Bar 150 cm Roof Bars at Tredz Bikes. £76.49 with free UK delivery
775 feet are a more recent design, and use a tensioned rubber coated thin metal strap under the body of the foot. A recipe for metal fatigue I reckon if they are going to be on and off regularly rather than a 'fit & forget' solution:-
Buy Thule 775 Crossroad Railing Rapid System Foot Pack For Cars With Roof Rails at Tredz Bikes. £95.69 with free UK delivery
Both feet kits come with locks.
Unfortunately despite some retailers suggesting otherwise 150cm wing bars are only available in silver finish in the UK. I wanted black to match the rails and could have bought them in the US when I was there but for over US$200 a pair.
Tredz seem to be cheapest in UK, wait for the £5 discount pop up code to appear before ordering and order feet and bars separately to save £10!
Cheaper aftermarket T5/T6 vaguely aerofoil bar kits are available on Flea Bay, but I made that error before with cheap bars on my Golf and discovered the top channel wasn't wide enough to accept Thule bar accessory mounting bolts that slide in the channel. Burnt my fingers on the grinding wheel paring them down (bolts not fingers).
If you are fitting your own VW roof bars make sure you use sealant, not a factory fit spec though. The receiving nuts in the roof are in oversized holes and the foam rubber gaskets that are supplied with the bars are as useful as 6 chocolate fireguards at stopping rainwater in the gutter seeping into the inside of the roof. Plenty of gen on this issue elsewhere!
I've historically used Thule bars on other vehicles but they don't actually have any certified for use with original VW T5/6 roof rails (same part). I had a conversation with their technical department having emailed a cross section profile of the roof rails but they still weren't very helpful and indeed didn't seem to know their product or the potential market with Transporter owners.
However, both Thule 757 and 775 feet kits will fit and will accept any of their bar systems. you'll need 150cm ones, the other options are all too short. The 150cm bar will oversail the rails slightly and could be cut down but will need some filing on the underside to accept the end caps securely.
I went for second hand 757 feet (older and often available cheap with chuck away bars on Gumtree!) and 150cm wing bars
Buy Thule 757 Railing Rapid System Foot Pack For Cars With Roof Rails Roof Bars at Tredz Bikes. £74.69 with free UK delivery
Buy Thule 963 Wing Bar 150 cm Roof Bars at Tredz Bikes. £76.49 with free UK delivery
775 feet are a more recent design, and use a tensioned rubber coated thin metal strap under the body of the foot. A recipe for metal fatigue I reckon if they are going to be on and off regularly rather than a 'fit & forget' solution:-
Buy Thule 775 Crossroad Railing Rapid System Foot Pack For Cars With Roof Rails at Tredz Bikes. £95.69 with free UK delivery
Both feet kits come with locks.
Unfortunately despite some retailers suggesting otherwise 150cm wing bars are only available in silver finish in the UK. I wanted black to match the rails and could have bought them in the US when I was there but for over US$200 a pair.
Tredz seem to be cheapest in UK, wait for the £5 discount pop up code to appear before ordering and order feet and bars separately to save £10!
Cheaper aftermarket T5/T6 vaguely aerofoil bar kits are available on Flea Bay, but I made that error before with cheap bars on my Golf and discovered the top channel wasn't wide enough to accept Thule bar accessory mounting bolts that slide in the channel. Burnt my fingers on the grinding wheel paring them down (bolts not fingers).
If you are fitting your own VW roof bars make sure you use sealant, not a factory fit spec though. The receiving nuts in the roof are in oversized holes and the foam rubber gaskets that are supplied with the bars are as useful as 6 chocolate fireguards at stopping rainwater in the gutter seeping into the inside of the roof. Plenty of gen on this issue elsewhere!
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Ditto. My Kombi replaces an old Defender 110 4x4 skip with 3 trade quality rhino bars on the roof. Having managed to bent the gutters on that with half the local sawmill on the roof I'm learning to be more conservative with the new bars. But 'just for looks' accessories?!
We also have the Thule wingbars but fitted into T-tracks. Pretty decent things.
Hi All,
I'm considering getting some roof bars for my van, I have a pop top so that needs to be taken into account (I think). The roof bars will essentially hold the largest roof box I can get.
I've been recommended the below (see image) though I can't seem to find out what brand it is. Can anyone let me know or let me know of any recommendations. I essentially want to try and find a balance between style and practicality, which the below seems to provide, at least from a styling point of view.
Cheers
I'm considering getting some roof bars for my van, I have a pop top so that needs to be taken into account (I think). The roof bars will essentially hold the largest roof box I can get.
I've been recommended the below (see image) though I can't seem to find out what brand it is. Can anyone let me know or let me know of any recommendations. I essentially want to try and find a balance between style and practicality, which the below seems to provide, at least from a styling point of view.
Cheers
Vw or vanstyle possibly. Few threads on the forum on this subject, if you use the search bar it will wipe out a few hours of your day, and hopefully answer your question.
Mine are identical to those and are VW fitted by the dealer at a cost of £125.00 from memory.
Its saying they are 50kg load rated, arnt the vw rails 80kg ?
Superfly,
Im told by VW that the VW ones are 80kg. I cant see why, other than VW not supplying the range of bars why anyone would not chose VW dealers for these. Fitted by them, under guarentee and £125.00
Im told by VW that the VW ones are 80kg. I cant see why, other than VW not supplying the range of bars why anyone would not chose VW dealers for these. Fitted by them, under guarentee and £125.00
My thoughts entirely for the price, Just don't let them fit them !!
The Omtec website says 75kg, which is what the leaflet that came with my rails said.
VW T6 Transporter 2015- Alu Roof Bars 2 Pcs. Black TÜV / ABE - Omtek Otomotiv
I must admit that i got confused by all the different variations of what looked like the same thing when i was looking.
Having fitted my own, I would now go with the suggestion that you get VW to supply and fit, if that is convenient for you.
Pete
Im just going off the previous ebay link, judging on previous threads I would definitely fit my own also.
