Fitting was a lot easier than I had first thought. On first inspection of the roof, it does seem pretty flimsy, but taking a closer look there is some strength to it.
If you look closely to the plywood that's screwed to the underside of the poptop you can see the screw heads that hold the wood in place. These run around the edge of the ply with two strips 1/3 and 2/3 along the length of the roof running side to side, where there seems to be about an inch thick reinforcement beams. You can also feel this if you push down on top of the poptop, you can see the roof flex in the middle but as you move along fro front to back you will see this stop as you pass over one of the reinforcement beams.
This can be seen when you reaise the roof and have a look under the outside edging.
The outside edges of the poptop reinforement is where I drilled the hole through the roof, about 3cm in from the edge if the ply.
I've used the Thule 753 foot pack, this is what the bars connect to, and the 3021 fixpoint fitting kit to attach this to the poptop.
Once everything was lined up, all I did was drill a hole through the roof for each fitting kit. The fitting kit comes with some 8mm bolts that are meant to screw into the top of a roof, this can't be done on mine, so pushed the bolt up from underneath and put a nut on it to secure in place.
The 3021 fixpoint comes with a rubber base that will seal the hole so no need for any extra sealent.
The bars can easily take a surfboard. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it can take a lot more weight as well, but don't quote me on that just incase
Brave man. I'm not sure I'd want to drill several holes into my roof but it does look good. That said, given the AA quoted figure of 10% reduction in fuel economy when leaving your roof rack on, I'm presuming you have devised a quick release mechanism. ;-)
dazdub
Cabin : Exec 012 Location : wales Posts : 3118 Join date : 2009-10-16
Have you measured the overall height now? Would hate to think of you scooting into a car park and oooh noo don’t think about it...Happened to me with a Thule bike rack in an underground car park on holiday in Cannes one year, I got under the height bar only to find the ceiling much lower further in!
I had to loosen the rack and drive forward whilst the family held onto the rack, then walk with it, lots of people not happy behind me.
We eventually noticed the car park (parking under the Gray D’Albion hotel) ceiling was at different heights throughout the car park so I managed to drive out very carefully with it perched on my roof, but Interesting when I parked up there was a very old model landrover with smashed roof lights also parked up!
Brave man.That said, given the AA quoted figure of 10% reduction in fuel economy when leaving your roof rack on, I'm presuming you have devised a quick release mechanism. ;-)
With the bus being the shape it is and having the aerodynamics of a brick, I very much doubt having the roof bars on will make much difference.
The bars add an extra 4 inches to the overall height, probably the same as having the cab roof rack.
Kev wrote:
Would hate to think of you scooting into a car park and oooh noo don’t think about it...Happened to me with a Thule bike rack in an underground car park on holiday in Cannes one year, I got under the height bar only to find the ceiling much lower further in!
