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Thread: Roof Racks for the L494

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
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    SW Victoria
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    Roof Racks for the L494

    Hi Folks,

    Just querying what solutions people have looked at for roof racks on the current Sport. I am looking for something that I might use only part time and not for carrying heavy stuff. More like a long ladder from time to time and long things that won't fit in the car. And maybe a roof pod for trips.

    The OEM roof rails and cross bars are an incredibly expensive touch. I am not sure about using the chinese roof rail ripoffs that are on ebay. But generally the roof rail system is neat and tidy. Thule make a cross bar system for existing roof rails, which looks ok.

    The only other solution that I have seen is:
    Vortex 2500 Roof Rack | Rhino-Rack
    These sit on a pad that sits on the roof and are then held captive by the clip thingys going under the door seal area. This sytem is quite inexpensive but I am not sure about how they directly sit on the roof sides and what effect that has when you take them off. The retention system to me looks a bit dodgy as well. I am thinking of having say a kayak on them tearing down the highway and the amount of wind pressure trying to tear the whole lot off.

    So can anyone offer suggestions of what they have done and how it works for them.

    Thanks, Simmo

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Highfields Q4352
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    Roof racks for L494

    I have the OEM roof rails with Thule crossbars and fit a roof pod or a mesh basket. This works quite well, no problems so far. The roof rails are expensive but I don't know of an alternative.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Wollongong
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    Quote Originally Posted by simmo1 View Post
    Hi Folks,

    Just querying what solutions people have looked at for roof racks on the current Sport. I am looking for something that I might use only part time and not for carrying heavy stuff. More like a long ladder from time to time and long things that won't fit in the car. And maybe a roof pod for trips.

    The OEM roof rails and cross bars are an incredibly expensive touch. I am not sure about using the chinese roof rail ripoffs that are on ebay. But generally the roof rail system is neat and tidy. Thule make a cross bar system for existing roof rails, which looks ok.

    The only other solution that I have seen is:
    Vortex 2500 Roof Rack | Rhino-Rack
    These sit on a pad that sits on the roof and are then held captive by the clip thingys going under the door seal area. This sytem is quite inexpensive but I am not sure about how they directly sit on the roof sides and what effect that has when you take them off. The retention system to me looks a bit dodgy as well. I am thinking of having say a kayak on them tearing down the highway and the amount of wind pressure trying to tear the whole lot off.

    So can anyone offer suggestions of what they have done and how it works for them.

    Thanks, Simmo
    On another Board these racks are shown by an owner with two kayaks attached. These would be my choice if wanting to carry light loads.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    SW Victoria
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    I see that Rhino now have a roof rail system on the market. Removes part of the original car plastic cover strip from each side with rhino rails then in place. Then the roof rail pads fit to theses rails and cab be slid for and aft to desired position. Reasonably priced as well. I wonder if anyone may have had these installed with a response abt how they work and look. So if any one has taken the plunge on these what are your thoughts?
    Cheers Simmo

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Geelong Vic
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    A friend had 2 bars fitted by Pole Position Geelong, (Gordon Ave). Apparently they remove cover strip, locate fixing points for the roof rails, then drill hole in cover strip and replace. Then direct fix 2 bars to the rail fixing points. I think it cost under $400. May be worth a call to them. They also stock Rhino gear. When I first got my L405 I was hoping to get the pad on roof type from them, they then advised that they wouldn't do that type for the RR due to roof strength issues. I'm not sure if anything has changed in the last year.
    2015.5 RR Vogue TDV6
    2016 XE Jag 20D Prestige
    2003 MB SL500

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    NSW
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    Just picked up our L494 and have OEM rails and OEM rack.

    From previous experience, having bought two rhino roof racks previously, the Rhino 2500 is a solid roof rack. However, the mounting kit is not great for the paint on the edge of the roof (or above the door). After a while sand/grit etc builds up around the rubber mount and the roof rack moves with load. So you can expect some scratches to appear.

    The rail is a much better system as you don't have to worry about that.

    But reading your opening post, I think it would be OK if you are occasionally using the roof rack.

    Taking off the OEM roof rack is a little bit more painful than the rhino, extra 5 mins to remove from the roof.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
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    resurrecting the thread

    I am off to the US in a couple of months, would it make any sense to get the OEM roof rails from the US. They are about 900+taxes in the US. I am not going use the racks very often so will be buying the OEM racks at a later stage. But want to get the rails installed either buying direct from the 'stealership' or from the US.

    Opinions?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Gosford, NSW
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    Quote Originally Posted by race4life View Post
    I am off to the US in a couple of months, would it make any sense to get the OEM roof rails from the US. They are about 900+taxes in the US. I am not going use the racks very often so will be buying the OEM racks at a later stage. But want to get the rails installed either buying direct from the 'stealership' or from the US.

    Opinions?
    If that price includes the finishers then that is a good price, in oz you'd be looking at $1500+ . The box is long, can you fit it in your luggage allowance ?

    I do not have the OEM cross bars, but according to reports they only fit in fixed positions on the rail. The Thule cross bars clamp on and can be positioned wherever you like along the rail.
    Gone - RRS SE SDV6 with Dynamic MY15.5 Yulong White, with LLAMS

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gregz View Post
    If that price includes the finishers then that is a good price, in oz you'd be looking at $1500+ . The box is long, can you fit it in your luggage allowance ?

    I do not have the OEM cross bars, but according to reports they only fit in fixed positions on the rail. The Thule cross bars clamp on and can be positioned wherever you like along the rail.
    ha ha yeah i have platinum one status until the end of the year so should be ok to put in the check in baggage hopefully..

    the rails + ditch finishers are 1160 + taxes (6.25%).. i'll negotiate with my dealer and see what he says..

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Gosford, NSW
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    By the way, expect 2 long boxes .
    Gone - RRS SE SDV6 with Dynamic MY15.5 Yulong White, with LLAMS

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