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Heavier duty roof bars
#1
Hi all, just back from a trip when I had a fairly big/bulky load on the roof bars for the first time and now feeling the need for some heavier duty ones and would welcome advice.

Though I have the Modutop I don't like putting any significant load on its roof bars as it would seem like doing so might increase the chance of a Modutop leak and that seems very much worth avoiding. Besides they have a low weight rating.

So I got some 'Genuine Citroen' bars off Ebay:

[Image: rack1.jpg][Image: rack2.jpg]

...and they are fine for light use with roofbox etc. But:

- The rails are not straight. Aside from flat things not sitting on them well, as the weight of a load straightens them they lose grip in the roof 'pockets'.
- They're quite narrow, in contrast to some which will accommodate 1220mm wide sheets of material.
- There are some holes in the plastic bits as tying on points but not really sufficient.
- And most of all, I couldn't get much tension to lock them on. It's as if the bars were a bit long, so the bolts couldn't pull the plastic end bits inwards far enough to get decent tension for the 'hooks' that go into the pockets welded on the roof. So one kept moving and even popped out once as we were cranking down the load with ratchet straps, not helped by the bent bars problem as above. So we had to run ratchet straps inside the vehicle through the rear doors and over the load so as to be confident of nothing coming off.
- and now one of the bolts just snapped as I was dismantling to see if a clean and greasing would help get more tension on the mounting :brickwall:

So I'm now looking at getting some proper heavy duty ones. Not bothered about looks, all they need to be is truly solid. There seem to be a variety out there, but because most sellers are too lazy to provide decent pictures of the actual fittings for the Berlingo I'm finding it hard to choose. Some that caught my eye are:

- These from Aiko (also on sale via Ebay) - cheapish at £51 new, with load stops etc available separetely:

http://www.aiko-design.co.uk/store/index...ductId=206

[Image: Close.JPG]

Aiko also do some even heavier ones:

http://www.aiko-design.co.uk/store/index...oductId=33

but I don't like the welded on load stops - will make getting stuff on harder. And the oval tubes as pictured earlier look more than strong enough anyway.

- Bigger stainless steel ones (£80ish):

http://www.roofrackshop.com/Van-Products...3721p.aspx

[Image: products13-11-08-12-26-39.jpg]

although if you go to the Van Guard website all their bars now seem to be alloy:

http://www.van-guard.co.uk/products/roof...+stops-710

- Rhino offer two systems:

http://www.rhinoroofracks.com/citroen-ro...at_23.html

and seem to be really decent industrial stuff, though I can't find any non-tiny and crappy pictures. Loads of people selling these e.g. around £92 on ebay;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Citreon-Berlingo-9...19c4bc7aeb

All of the above are two bar sets though three might be an idea to help distribute the strain as much as possible I guess. All to fit the old shape pre-2008 Berlingo and the later First - I believe all of these have the same mountings.

Thule just seem ridiculously expensive and more about looks than function/robustness.

Any recommendations/experience of these or other brands?

Thanks in advance

Pete


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#2
Hi Pete,
Can't really comment as not bought any yet, but like you been doing my research.
For strength, quality of materials (again, only from pictures and description) and price, I was looking at the AIKO ones.
Seem pretty robust with the oval tubes (bit of mountain bike experience, oval frame is stronger weight for weight than round) and the price is definately appealing.
Only want them for a roof box, and not bought that yet!
Good luck, and whoever purchases first must write a review!
Martin.
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#3
I had AIKO roof bars on my VW Caddy van, they were excellent... no movement, adjustment, or anything needed in 3 years. A true fit and forget product. Carried loads of up to 80kg daily for 3 years...

Don't need them for my berlingo though.....
Adam..2003..1.9D..LX..Silver Crew Cab Van.....
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
[-] The following 1 user says Thank You to adam3rdcanvey for this post:
  • j90xxx
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#4
I've never found anything that I couldn't fit inside my Berlingo's boot to be honest.

Food for 20 people and camping stuff for 2 people and still room. I'm amazed everytime just how good the Berli is for space Smile
Now an ex Berlingo owner, I have a C4
2010 (B9) Berlingo Multispace XTR HDi 112 - Kyanos Blue
Previously - 2002 (M49) Berlingo Multispace 2.0 HDi Diesel - Arctic Steel
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#5
Thanks Adam,
Sounds like a recommendation to me...
Thats another addition to my shopping list.
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#6
nice one....... a quality item...they are great value too...
had about 6 oak table tops lashed to them once, was a bit eventfull in the handling department!!
Adam..2003..1.9D..LX..Silver Crew Cab Van.....
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
[-] The following 1 user says Thank You to adam3rdcanvey for this post:
  • j90xxx
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#7
I think if you are concerned about securing and spreading the load, then using a third bar would seem to make sense.

These are currently being offered on eBay which look fairly solid.
2005 Berlingo Multispace 1.6i Desire (Iron Grey)

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.


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#8
If you want to sell your old ones please let me know as and when thanks.
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#9
Will do (assuming it's mine you're referring to). Likely to get Aiko but off on another trip tomorrow so no chance to sort it until next week at earliest.
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#10
(05-05-2011, 08:50 PM)shedpete Wrote:  Will do (assuming it's mine you're referring to). Likely to get Aiko but off on another trip tomorrow so no chance to sort it until next week at earliest.

OK have a good trip http://www.berlingoforum.co.uk/smiliesne..._sunny.gif
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