Roof Bar DIY Upstand Load Stop Mod

[Borwick]

I have an '02 pre-makeover Multispace Forte.

I have a pair of (in fact Peugeot Partner) roof bars and these fit into the 3 pairs of lugs in the car's roof. The bars are covered in plastic and are a bit slippy and also have a curve to them. So, I have never been very confident in using them. They are fine for carrying a light roof box.

I have threaded half a bicycle inner tube over each of them to give more grip, which was an improvement.

However, I am planning on making some sort of load stop or upstand to help retain loads and to give a better point to lash to. I often carry a canoe.

I had in mind something clamped to the bars rather than drilling into them.

Before starting, I thought I would ask if any Berlinguians or our Partners had travelled this road before and had developed a good solution.

Thanks.

[Gadgetman]

I use a pair of Thule bars and their 874 Kayak holders to transport my kayak on top of my Mk. I.

You may want to look at the Thule 579 canoe holders.

[ffrenchie]

I have an exhaust clamp with the nuts facing upwards round mine as a stop for anything sliding sideways.

[Borwick]

Thank you for the helpful replies.

Thule kit seems rather clever and well made. I wrongly discounted it because I saw it in Halfords and assumed it was overpriced rubbish but friends have shown me some of their gadgets and I was impressed enough to buy their towbar bike carrier. With a very little bit of modding and thick plywood it adapts into a load carrier cum picnic table.

However, having bought the proper bars for the van I will stick with them and try a mod. The exhaust clamps sound a great idea and I will give them a go. I was toying with the idea of something with jubilee clips or tv aerial clamps.

It could even look smart with a bit of extra inner tube ... !

Putting on clamps would have the good effect of marking where the roof bar should be tightened up to. I have always fretted that because the tightening screws are fitted inside the bar you have little idea whether one end is over located and the other is hanging on by literally a thread.

Many thanks.