What Roof Type Do I Have?
Tuesday, August 18, 2015 — 9 Comments
I am looking for a roof rack, what type of roof do I have?
Your vehicle's roof should be one of the following:
- Naked / Bare Roof
- Factory installed raised side rails
- Factory installed flat tracks or fix points
- Factory installed roof rack with crossbars
- Raingutter
What is A Naked Roof?
A vehicle with a naked roof (or bare roof) would not have tracks or rails. With a naked roof, you need a clip kit, leg kit and crossbars to create a complete roof-rack system. The installation process may vary slightly for each vehicle.
Clip kits are custom designed to ensure the strongest and best fit for your vehicle. They kit will include pads and clips that fasten to the outer edges of your roof by connecting to pre drilled holes, or by clamping around the door jam.
Leg Kits include four feed that connect to the fit kit and provide attachment points for the crossbars.
The crossbars are the portion of the rack that carries the accessory and is the last part of the system to be installed.
Use the Cargo Management Vehicle Search to look up the correct parts for your roof rack.
What are Factory Installed Raised Side Rails?
Factory installed raised side rails are most common on minivans and SUV's. They run front to back on your vehicle's roof and can provide attachment points for an aftermarket roof rack system. This design requires a leg kit and crossbars. Use our Cargo Vehicle Search guide to find the correct system for your vehicle's naked roof.
What are Factory Installed Flush Rails?
Factory installed flush rails run from front to back on your vehicle and are flush to the rood without any space between the rail and the roof. There is typically a inner and/or outer groove that allows connection of a crossbar. To mount a roof rack on this type of roof system, you will need a clip kit, leg kit and crossbars.
What are Fixed Points?
Fixed connection points are factory threaded fasted down points that are typically located on the outer edge of the roof at toe points on each side. The connection points are located under a roof trim piece, a removable panel or flip up panel.
There are two types of fixed points; Crossbar Overhang and Crossbar Terminating. They require leg kits and crossbars.
What are Raingutters?
Raingutters still exist on some late model vehicle's but typically are found on full sized cargo and passenger vans. Raingutters require Leg Kits, Gutters, and Crossbars.
Now that you know what roof style you have, use our Cargo Vehicle Search to look up the correct roof rack system for your vehicle.