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Giant sunroof with roof rack?
#1
Has anyone got any experience fitting a roof rack or roof bars with the big opening sunroof. The fabric folds up as it slides back and I'm concerned this could catch.
It has the regular mounting points for the rack so one will fit but unsure if it will be in the way or potentially damage the roof.
Any advice or suggestions warmly received...

Thanks
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#2
I've put the genuine Citroen roof bars on over my fabric sunroof. Works absolutely fine but I wouldn't want to open roof when bars are on as they would definitely catch on it and probably kill it.

So they fit but it has to stay closed while they're on. Unless you fit them with roof open and leave it open!
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#3
There should be enough clearance on my Thule setup at least.
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#4
(05-04-2017, 08:07 PM)Gadgetman Wrote:  There should be enough clearance on my Thule setup at least.

The highest any part of the roof mechanism goes is about 11.5cm.  If you fancy doing me a massive favour could you measure the clearance between bars and roof? I might just have to go round some suppliers with my tape measure out to find the biggest gap...
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#5
I can do that tonight.
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#6
Hm...
My measurements with my Thule(old, rectangular profile, not the modern aerodynamic stuff) was slightly over 9cm between the overside of the closed roof and the underside of the bars.
(This is a 1999 without the rails along the roof edge that came on later versions)

But isn't the fabric roof mostly fabric?
Would it really be damaged if it touched?

I use the most forward mounts, and the mounts all the way at the back, and I doubt it would fold up high enough to touch the front bar, and I don't think it folds far enough back to touch the rearmost?
I could have tested, but the roof motor on mine isn't all there, and I don't want to completely break it.

Why not take a couple of styrofoam cups and tape them to the roof, then place broom handles on top of them?
If the broom handles stay in place, you're all set.
If they get distrurbed, tape them to the cups, but make certain the tape doesn't overlap the tape holding the cups to the roof and try again.
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#7
Thanks for that, it's really helpful. I like your cup and broom handle idea, it's a cheaper way of testing it out. I think the problem could be the solid bits inside the fabric. The front mount wouldn't be a problem. And the back may well be clear too. Im sure i can work something out. My other plan is getting the fixings and then weld some custom bars that give the roof plenty of clearance.
I just need to learn to weld first!
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#8
Don't even joke about making your own mounts.
The insurance companies don't like jokes like that, and the people who certify cars don't like them, either.

In fact, there's strict rules about mucking about with the load-bearing structures or the 'cage' around the passengers.
In my organisation we had 'a few' Toyota hybrids that we had a company mount light-bars on top of the roof of. When we wanted to sell those cars, and needed to remove the bars we were left with bolt holes about 8mm in diameter, and we were NOT allowed to plug weld them shut and paint over.
The entire roof had to be replaced.

Just drawing a short welding bead across an otherwise empty area of the roof can weaken it so that the roof no longer fulfills the requirements and could collapse if the car rolled.
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#9
(07-04-2017, 12:00 PM)Gadgetman Wrote:  Don't even joke about making your own mounts.
The insurance companies don't like jokes like that, and the people who certify cars don't like them, either.

In fact, there's strict rules about mucking about with the load-bearing structures or the 'cage' around the passengers.
In my organisation we had 'a few' Toyota hybrids that we had a company mount light-bars on top of the roof of. When we wanted to sell those cars, and needed to remove the bars we were left with bolt holes about 8mm in diameter, and we were NOT allowed to plug weld them shut and paint over.
The entire roof had to be replaced.  

Just drawing a short welding bead across an otherwise empty area of the roof can weaken it so that the roof no longer fulfills the requirements and could collapse if the car rolled.

Ah no, i would use the existing mounting points and attachments that are specific for the Berlingo. The plan was if it's a type that takes a square bar i could construct a custom bar that gives extra clearance but fits in the same way.
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#10
Check the Thule van roofmounts, they are taller than the car ones so would give a higher clearance and would stop the roof fouling.
Mate had a large sunroof and he'd regular drive with 3 manky bikes on the roof with roof open. He'd wait until he was doing over 25mph before opening as that seemed to blow the dirt/mud/water behind the opening - he didn't have the Berlingo though.
Having just finished watching Life of Brian, I thought Brian would be too serious a username for myself!

2014 Peugeot Partner Tepee Outdoor 115bhp
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