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Customer Reviews

What Roof Type Do I Have?

Written by Hitchweb Team
Tuesday, August 18, 2015 — 9 Comments

 I am looking for a roof rack, what type of roof do I have?
 

Your vehicle's roof should be one of the following:

  • Naked / Bare Roof
  • Factory installed raised side rails
  • Factory installed flat tracks or fix points
  • Factory installed roof rack with crossbars
  • Raingutter

What is A Naked Roof?

A vehicle with a naked roof (or bare roof) would not have tracks or rails. With a naked roof, you need a clip kit, leg kit and crossbars to create a complete roof-rack system. The installation process may vary slightly for each vehicle. 
 

   Rhino Rack Roof Rack Naked Roof


Clip kits
are custom designed to ensure the strongest and best fit for your vehicle. They kit will include pads and clips that fasten to the outer edges of your roof by connecting to pre drilled holes, or by clamping around the door jam.
Leg Kits include four feed that connect to the fit kit and provide attachment points for the crossbars.
The crossbars are the portion of the rack that carries the accessory and is the last part of the system to be installed. 

Use the Cargo Management Vehicle Search to look up the correct parts for your roof rack. 

What are Factory Installed Raised Side Rails?

Factory installed raised side rails are most common on minivans and SUV's.  They run front to back on your vehicle's roof and can provide attachment points for an aftermarket roof rack system. This design requires a leg kit and crossbars. Use our Cargo Vehicle Search guide to find the correct system for your vehicle's naked roof. 

Rhino Rack Roof Rack Raised Side Rails

What are Factory Installed Flush Rails?

Factory installed flush rails run from front to back on your vehicle and are flush to the rood without any space between the rail and the roof. There is typically a inner and/or outer groove that allows connection of a crossbar. To mount a roof rack on this type of roof system, you will need a clip kit, leg kit and crossbars.

Rhino Rack Roof Rack Flush Rails
 

What are Fixed Points?

Fixed connection points are factory threaded fasted down points that are typically located on the outer edge of the roof at toe points on each side. The connection points are located under a roof trim piece, a removable panel or flip up panel. 
There are two types of fixed points; Crossbar Overhang and Crossbar Terminating. They require leg kits and crossbars. 

Rhino Rack Roof Rack Fixed Points

What are Raingutters?

Raingutters still exist on some late model vehicle's but typically are found on full sized cargo and passenger vans. Raingutters require Leg Kits, Gutters, and Crossbars.

Rhino Rack Roof Rack for Raingutters

Now that you know what roof style you have, use our Cargo Vehicle Search to look up the correct roof rack system for your vehicle. 

Posted in Cargo

Comments


Janice MacMillan
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Looking for roof rack system for 2016 Mitsubishi RVR with 'naked' roof, no rails or side bars. Found a system on e trailer for Rhino-Rack 2500 Roof Rack - Square Crossbars - Naked Roofs or Fixed Mounting Points - 49" Long - DS126B and Custom DK Fit Kit for Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Roof Rack Legs - Fixed Mounting Points - DK289 but does not ship to Canada. Can you help?
Hitchweb Team
Monday, September 25, 2017
Hi Ronnie, Unfortunately at this time we do not have a roof rack option available with existing rails or crossbars. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Ronnie
Monday, September 25, 2017
What can you suggest for my 2016 Dodge Caravan RT with factory installed roof rack with cross bars and fixed point cross bars terminating? Thank you.
Hitchweb Team
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Hello Amy, We have two listings for the 2010 Jeep Liberty: with black flush rails and with regular roof rails. Can you confirm if your vehicle has either of these? Or can you send us a photo of what you may have?
Amy
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Hello, My 2010 Jeep Liberty has rails that are not raised. I am having a very hard time locating cross bars that work. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
Hitchweb Team
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Hello Carlos In order to know what your vehicle has we would either need a picture of your vehicle, or the vin number. Once we have that information, we can help you find the correct rack.
Carlos
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Not to sure if my Uplander LS 2007 van is a flush roof type or not. Can you look it up and see what kind of rack I need ? Can you give me prices and load capacity ? Thanks
Hitchweb Team
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Hello Guy, Our apologies in the delay of our response. We had to contact Rhino Rack for this information. There are a couple of options for you. We will send this to you by email. Thank you
Guy Durand
Friday, September 25, 2015
I'm looking for a Rhino Rack for a Santa fe 2013 there is NO rails on the roof, there is a original sunroof (SKYview) Thanks
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