A rail mount roof rack is a type of cargo carrying system that attaches specifically to existing roof rails that run along the length of your vehicle's roof.
Understanding Rail Mount Roof Racks
To understand a rail mount roof rack, it's helpful to differentiate between roof rails and roof racks. As stated in the reference, "Roof rails run along the length of your car's roof, whilst roof racks are mounted from door to door across your roof".
A rail mount roof rack system utilizes these factory or aftermarket installed roof rails as its foundation. It typically consists of two primary components:
- Towers (or Feet): These attach directly to the side rails running front-to-back on your roof.
- Crossbars: These are the bars that span the width of the vehicle, attaching to the towers. This is where cargo, or mounts for cargo (like bike racks, kayak carriers, or cargo boxes), are secured.
Unlike systems that attach directly to the vehicle's bare roof (using clips on the door frame) or to fixed points, rail mount systems offer a clean and secure way to add carrying capacity by leveraging the rails already present on many SUVs, wagons, and trucks.
How They Work
The towers of a rail mount system are designed to clamp onto or slide into the existing roof rails. Once the towers are secured at the desired positions along the rails, the crossbars are attached to the towers, creating the load-bearing platform across the roof.
Key Features & Benefits
- Integration: Designed to work seamlessly with vehicles equipped with factory or aftermarket side rails.
- Versatility: Can carry a wide variety of gear when paired with appropriate attachments.
- Weight Capacity: Often provides a substantial weight capacity, determined by the vehicle's roof strength and the rack system's design.
- Ease of Installation: Generally straightforward to install and remove compared to permanent solutions.
Applications
Rail mount roof racks are popular for transporting:
- Luggage and cargo boxes
- Bicycles
- Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards
- Skis and snowboards
- Ladders and building materials
Choosing the right rail mount system involves considering the type of rails on your vehicle (flush rails, raised rails, etc.), the weight you plan to carry, and the specific attachments needed for your gear.
| Component | Function | Mounting Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Roof Rails | Run along the vehicle's roof length | Front to back |
| Roof Racks | Mount across the vehicle's roof width | Side to side (door to door) |
| Rail Mount Rack | Attaches to the roof rails to create the roof rack (crossbars) | Towers attach to rails (lengthwise), crossbars run widthwise |
Essentially, a rail mount roof rack is the system of crossbars and their supports that utilizes existing roof rails as its anchor point to create the side-to-side structure needed for carrying gear.
