Just bought a T6, and then bought a pair of VW roof rails and just been sussing them out. The fixing kit contains 6 self adhesive neoprene washers which I conclude would provide the seal but I would be inclined to seal the bolt threads as well and loctite 577 springs to mind. You use it to seal metal to metal threads in plumbing & heating applications which often would be under 1 - 2 bar pressure so should stop rainwater. I agree it all looks a bit of an afterthought with the plastic spacers to fill the channel. Any comments appreciated (I'm a novice T6 owner and forum user!)
Which? roof rails for a T6?
- Thread starter xswind
- Start date
Evening all, just fitted my VW dealer sourced rails today, nice chap at Trafford Park dealer printed off a set of instructions with pictures - always helpful when running out of daylight and fingers going numb with cold.
I have to agree with most that the hard plastic “feet” aren’t the best and as I’ve read elsewhere I had to resort to using the angle grinder to chamfer one corner as it was just not going to sit flush.
I took general advice and added silicone to each bolt.
All else seems nice and solid and does enhance the overall look.
I’ll Post up some pics when I get some daylight.
Appreciate everyone’s advice .
I have to agree with most that the hard plastic “feet” aren’t the best and as I’ve read elsewhere I had to resort to using the angle grinder to chamfer one corner as it was just not going to sit flush.
I took general advice and added silicone to each bolt.
All else seems nice and solid and does enhance the overall look.
I’ll Post up some pics when I get some daylight.
Appreciate everyone’s advice .
I haven't got any roof rails but just the factory screws in the mountings. Has there been any reported leak issues with these? Is it worth sealing the threads just in case.
The issue seems to be when you remove these original roof bolts to put the rails on. I believe that every PV/ Kombi/ shuttle (maybe caravelle aswell) has these same bolts. The only folks who have discussed water leaks are those that have installed rails.
Had rails on my velle it leaked like a good one, removed them and fitted the original bolts no more leaks
Hi all,
Recently picked up our T6 Caravelle and I’m looking at roof rail options but there are so many. Can anybody recommend a silver set of roof rails which they have fitted? Also I have a set of Thule roof bars which were included with the sale and were previously mounted directly to the roof - is that common? I don’t think roof bars are great for aesthetics so seems a bit of a faff to have to unbolt them every time I want to take them off hence I’m looking at the rails. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Recently picked up our T6 Caravelle and I’m looking at roof rail options but there are so many. Can anybody recommend a silver set of roof rails which they have fitted? Also I have a set of Thule roof bars which were included with the sale and were previously mounted directly to the roof - is that common? I don’t think roof bars are great for aesthetics so seems a bit of a faff to have to unbolt them every time I want to take them off hence I’m looking at the rails. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Vanzilla
Member
Hi mate
Omtec are good, OEM quality. Got mine from justkampers.
You’ll have to remove the black tracks in the Caravelle roof gutters first but it’s easy they’re just bolted in.
When you fit don’t use the supplied bolts but instead use the threaded bar technique described on a thread on this forum to avoid the inevitable leaks. I refitted mine this way recently and it works a treat.
Enjoy
Omtec are good, OEM quality. Got mine from justkampers.
You’ll have to remove the black tracks in the Caravelle roof gutters first but it’s easy they’re just bolted in.
When you fit don’t use the supplied bolts but instead use the threaded bar technique described on a thread on this forum to avoid the inevitable leaks. I refitted mine this way recently and it works a treat.
Enjoy
Dachträger Aero für VW T5 - T6 Transporter Multivan Caravelle Relingträger ab Baujahr 2003 aus Aluminium in chrom 145 cm
Dachträger Aero für VW T5 - T6 Transporter Multivan Caravelle ab Baujahr 2003 aus Aluminium in chrom (145 cm)Die neue Generation von Aero Dachträgersystemen wurden s
Thanks very much Vanzilla, that’s really helpful. Will try to get them from justkampers. Any chance you have a link to the threaded bar post? I don’t seem to be able to locate it. Thanks
Vanzilla
Member
No worries, I did actually link it in an accidental double post but the link was removed and the duplicate start of the post left for some reason.
Anyway to search for the thread it’s called
‘Roof Rail Leak Free Fixing’
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Hi Chris any chance of a clear photo of the instructions they printed for you please
Check out the alternative (and better!) way of fixing these. I followed what others posted on the forum and it’s way better.
I did mine and zero leaks.
www.t6forum.com
I did mine and zero leaks.
Roof Rail Leak Free Fixing.
Got some ebay roof rails and did not want to gorm silicone into and around the fixing holes. Instead I got some M6 threaded bar cut a little longer than the bolts supplied with the rails. I then used the rubber washers that came off the blanking bolts together with a washer and M6 nyloc nut...
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Do you have a link please
For leak free fixing try using Dowty Bonded Seals. For each fastening point; one between the rack and the body and one between the screw head and the rack. Available in metric sizes, preferably in 316 stainless steel or BZP if wanting to reduce cost. The nitrile seal will outlast silicone sealant, EPDM rubber and probably all the other sticky sh8t that gets used to keep the rain out.
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