Vehicles are equipped with roof rails to simplify the attachment of various kinds of roof racks and carrying.
Types of roof rails.
Factory optional crossbars.
Thule complete crossroad system.
If your car doesn t have any of the features mentioned above then it will need a door jamb type of roof rack.
These are as the name implies rails that are raised up probably about 2 inches on the vehicle roof.
The next most common roof type is the raised side rails found on the majority of suvs wagons and mini vans.
Vault cargo management roof rack.
Rain gutter roof.
To determine what type your roof is check out the images below.
In this type of roof rail the feet of the roof rail are attached.
There are 7 basic roof types.
Roof rack types rain gutters.
As the name suggests this type of roof rack clamps to the car door jambs the door jamb is the part of the roof you can see when you open the door see the image below.
Once you figure out which type you would like assembling the base roof rack system will be straightforward and you will be off and running or riding in no time.
The newest style of rail.
Solid roof rails very similar to the above except they don t have any gaps between the rail and he vehicle roof.
Rain gutters still exists on some late model.
The thule complete.
Roof bars for cars without rails or fix points.
Whether it s ski racks bike racks cargo boxes kayak racks etc.
Roof rails are usually one of two types.
Thule aeroblade roof rack bar.
When it comes to quality this is one of the best products available.
Usually two bars that run across the width of the vehicle roof which you then mount your activity specific racks to.
Different cars require different base roof rack systems so the first step is to assess which roof rack options are available for your car and then select the type best suited for what you want it to do for you.
Top 15 best roof rails and roof racks.
Factory track fixed point.
This makes them look all cool and streamlined so you will likely find them on cars and suvs with a more modern design style.
What are roof rails.
There a number of cars that come from the manufacturer with roof rack mounting points built.
Types of roof racks side rails flush raised.
Many suvs wagons and crossovers are equipped with factory installed side rails that run.