The great roof rail comparison and guide 2021

Roof rails are a popular way for many drivers to increase the load capacity of their vehicles. Particularly station wagons, minibusses and SUVs, i.e. vehicle categories that are characterized by their versatility and high practical utility in business and private life, are often equipped with roof rails as a standard feature.

For station wagons and small utility vehicles, roof rails are often available as an optional extra. However, many owners decide to equip their cars with luggage rails later on. Buyers of used cars are interested in expanding their vehicle's load capacity with roof rails, as well.

Luggage storage on the roof of the vehicle enhances the recreational value of the car and is also a sought-after addition for professional purposes. Craftsmen, tradesmen and surveyors store bulky materials on the roof and can use the cargo space of a high-roof station wagon or bus for other needed paraphernalia.

Cyclists, water sports enthusiasts and surfers use the roof railing to bring their outdoor equipment to their destination undamaged and well protected. Many campers use the railing as a platform for a roof tent and enjoy the special camping experience.

At Germansell, you can quickly check whether your car can be retrofitted for mounting. For many vehicle models, the installation of a roof platform is still possible afterward. On vehicles that already have mounting points for the roof structure, the roof rails are particularly easy to install. But even if the car has not yet been pre-equipped at the factory for the installation of basic racks on the vehicle roof, a roof rack can usually be installed with little effort.
 

The different types of roof rails

A roof rail is a system for mounting a roof rack. Depending on the roof rack, a roof box, canoe rack or even a bicycle rack can be mounted. In addition to the roof rails, other fastening systems for roof loads are common. These include:

- Fixed point mounting
- Rain gutter mounting
- T-slot mounting

In a comparison of systems, roof rails offer a particularly high level of versatility. The basic racks provide a stable base for roof loads of all kinds, and roof rails are also hard to beat when it comes to roof rack alignment and mounting options.

Because of its advantages, the roof rail has become widely accepted for transporting roof loads for work and leisure. The transport system gives the driver a lot of freedom for carrying even bulky utensils to be used at work or on vacation. When camping, the railing supports form a solid base for a roof tent. A roof railing is also highly useful when moving or picking up interior items from the furniture store. These two types of construction can be divided:

1. The closed railing

This design is widely used in premium-class station wagons. The flat rails of the closed railing rest on both sides of the station wagon roof. Because of the flat profiles, the closed railing is sometimes mistaken for rain gutters, but these are load-bearing rails that are specifically designed to accommodate roof rack systems. Because the carriers fit tightly against the vehicle roof, the closed railing offers little resistance to the airstream. This not only reduces wind noise but also benefits low fuel consumption.

2 The open railing

This classic type of railing can be easily identified by the distance between the rails and the vehicle roof. Here, the roof rail is connected to the vehicle roof via several contact points. Due to the free space that opens up between the rails and the vehicle roof, the design can be used in a particularly versatile way and has the advantage of a quick installation of a roof rack. Apart from its high functionality, the open railing has also established itself as a popular design element and gives high-roof station wagons as well as SUVs a rustic flair.

What is the difference between roof rails and roof baskets?

In the utility vehicle sector, roof baskets have also proven their worth as an alternative to roof rails. Unlike the roof rail system, which consists of two longitudinal members, a roof rack is a closed unit equipped with cross members that are attached to the roof at fixed points. The systems, also known as roof racks, are characterized by high stability and high load capacities. Thanks to the integrated crossbars, both small and long objects can be lashed and transported. Aluminum roof racks are popular in the trades and cleaning industry for transporting ladders and other bulky objects to the site of operation. To prevent damage to the paintwork of the high-roof station wagons and vans that are often used, some of these roof rack systems have an integrated push roller that can be used to load even long items onto the bus and Sprinter without damaging them.

In addition, older station wagons and vans are often equipped with a roof rack. The not uncommon chrome roof racks on historic vehicles add to the aesthetic appeal of these classics. Modern roof rails, on the other hand, offer the possibility of mounting roof rack systems suited to transport items. Someone who wants to transport racing bicycles on the roof needs a different carrier than the winter sports enthusiast who wants to transport his skis to snowy regions with a ski box. The high recreational value of the roof racks can be extended with crossbars, which makes the system so popular and has led to it being ordered with new purchases of many station wagons in the same way as a trailer coupling. So it's all the more annoying when your own station wagon or van is missing the roof rails. But now, even as the owner of a used station wagon, SUV or van, you can equip your car with the practical transport system and enjoy all the benefits of modern roof rails.

Germansell - Quality roof rails

A roof rail is exposed to the weather without protection and must withstand the effects of frost, heat, dirt and road salt. It not only has to carry the roof rack and its load but is also exposed to dynamic driving forces. Therefore, high quality is a basic requirement to ensure permanently safe transport with the roof railing. All roof rails in the Germansell offer are manufactured according to the current ISO standard and have the general operating permit (ABE). The assembly can be done even by laymen without any prior knowledge of the trade - so buyers do not need a welder or angle grinder to securely attach the carriers to their vehicle. All parts required for installation are included in the scope of delivery of our roof rails. And should any questions arise during installation, it usually helps to take a look at the installation video, which you can view on our website. Of course, our experts will also be happy to answer any questions you may have about the installation by e-mail or telephone. And since our roof rails have a general operating permit, you do not need to go to the MOT after installation.

A plastic railing or aluminum railing?

Both plastic and aluminum base racks can be equipped with high roof loads if they are designed accordingly and have a good quality of workmanship. For our aluminum roof rails, we use an anodizing process for surface finishing and effective corrosion protection. This process uses electrolytic oxidation to create a protective layer that provides long-term protection for the support system and ensures lasting structural durability. A roof railing with carriers made of plastic is characterized by rustic properties and resists rough handling during loading. The combination of aluminum, plastic and rubberized sealing strips allows for a flush finish with the vehicle roof. The combination of high-quality plastic and aluminum materials provides a high level of functionality with a visually appealing design and ensures long operating life.

Function and design in harmony

A roof railing is an eye-catcher in daily use in many industries. With a design that matches the vehicle, it is possible to create a visual unit that also helps to enhance the value of the vehicle when it is resold and increases the utility value of a vehicle. Thanks to the practical properties of the roof rails and their lasting contribution to the elegance of a station wagon or SUV, the side rails not only increase the vehicle's range of potential uses but also accentuate the car's silhouette in a new way. A vehicle-specific functional design and harmonious coordination with the roofline allows both a high level of fitting accuracy and smooth integration into the vehicle's shape, even when retrofitting.

The load-bearing capacity is specified for each roof rail, so drivers can always be sure not to overload the platform. most models are finished in neutral silver or black and blend seamlessly into the color scheme of most vehicles. Extra-long base carriers are available for some commercial vehicles, allowing extensive use of the roof space and providing many loading possibilities.

Do roof rails require registration?

The platforms we offer are characterized by simple installation and the inclusion of a general operating permit. For the buyer, this means that the roof rails are registration-free within the EU. Immediately after installation, which can be completed quickly due to the few parts and clear instructions, the driver can immediately use his roof rails for transport. This not only saves costs but also time and allows for quick adjustment of the vehicle in case of tight deadlines.

The high quality of the roof rack systems we produce ensures quality assurance that covers a simulation of the situations that occur in a driver's everyday work and personal life. Buckles and fasteners, including the locks of the roof rails, are opened and closed thousands of times to ensure smooth operation. Due to the voluntary quality control, which is set far above the ISO standards, we can ensure a continuous function and lasting resilience.

How do you recognize a high-quality roof railing?

A roof railing transports items outside the vehicle and provides a platform for a variety of attachments. Even roof boxes with a streamlined design are inevitably exposed to the vehicle wind and have to withstand cornering forces as well as full stops. Many openly transported objects on the vehicle roof also represent an impact surface for driving wind and crosswind. The roof rails are virtually the foundation that has to withstand all these forces and provide undamaged transport in all weather conditions.

These requirements demand both a solid fastening system and the use of materials for beams and struts that must not show any signs of being worn out even after many years of tough outdoor use. Therefore, the development of a high-quality roof platform requires careful selection of profiles and testing and compatibility of the materials used. It should also be noted here that T-slot profiles and a gutter attachment have different requirements for mounting a railing carrier. The cross-section of the aluminum rail profile for the basic railing supports, therefore, results primarily from the functional requirements and can be adapted to the design of a vehicle model in the second step.

When a roof rail is retrofitted, it can generally be assumed that the platform will be in daily use for 10 years or more and must be able to withstand the effects of the environment. Particular attention is paid to corrosion protection. Even after many uses in rainy autumn days and freezing winter, the racks must maintain a solid connection to the vehicle roof and structural integrity. This requires experience in engineering these systems. Only this way any potential weak points can be structurally enhanced in advance and designed in a way that ensures sufficient transport capabilities in all driving circumstances and even in extreme climatic conditions.

What should a roof railing cost?

In view of the many years of lasting durability and the enormous utility value that a high-quality roof railing has, the one-time purchase price is a minor investment. For companies, the purchase of a roof railing often pays off after just one order. But also the recreational value that a roof railing brings for active vacationers and sportsmen is worth the purchase of a solid roof platform that is perfectly matched to the vehicle. The roof racks offered by Germansell are characterized by consistently high-quality standards and a resistant treatment of the surfaces in our aluminum racks. The roof rails contribute significantly to the safety of the cargo transported on the roof of the vehicle and should provide many years of continuous satisfaction. It is also one of the few vehicle parts that require hardly any maintenance and is easily cleaned. Even in the car wash, the driver need not fear any damage with solidly designed roof racks and can have his station wagon or SUV cleaned as always.

The camping trend is unbroken and has even experienced a new boom recently. One of the most practical devices for campers is certainly the roof rail. It can be used to transport everything from canoes to e-bikes, which cannot be stored in the cargo area. The roof racks are also popular for setting up a roof tent. Compared to the conventional tent, the roof tent offers a number of advantages and allows the camper to keep his distance from the damp and cold ground. A prerequisite for the stable support of the roof tent is a solid railing that can withstand the stresses of getting in and out of the roof tent.

The roof railing is also popular among athletes to transport sports equipment to training or competition venues. A bike rack on the railing accommodates several racing bikes or mountain bikes and brings them safely to the place of use. Skiers and snowboarders use a roof box to transport skis or snowboard to the cross-country ski run or downhill slope in a protected and aerodynamically favorable manner. Those who spend their vacation with a raft, canoe or kayak and enjoy nature on the water have a secure base with a platform adapted to the roof racks to bring their watercraft to the river or lake undamaged.

Many do-it-yourselfers and handymen are busy with their projects in their spare time. Be it the restoration of a classic car or the future homeowner who can reduce costs and enjoy building his own home by doing it himself. In order to transport building materials, panels and other bulky goods to the construction site by SUV or van, a roof rail is a practical option for those who want to be flexible and fast. Even if the vehicle has a panoramic roof, the laterally installed base rails allow a rack with crossbars to be installed for loading materials needed at the job site.

Many drivers who decide to retrofit roof rails to their vehicle wonder about the maximum roof load that can be carried by the car. The maximum permissible roof load is specified in the general operating permit. In most cases, it is around 100 kg. This allows a wide range of transports and is almost always a sufficient load limit in the leisure sector. Drivers can find the permissible total weight of their vehicle in the vehicle documents. It is important to know here that the roof load is included in the total weight of the vehicle - it must therefore not be added. The total weight of a vehicle includes the passengers and the tank contents. 

A roof railing from Germansell makes the trip an experience

Many drivers wonder whether roof rails can be retrofitted to their vehicles. In many cases, this is possible, especially for station wagons, SUVs and vans. However, suitable systems can also be found for compact cars and limousines, making the vehicle suitable for transporting roof loads. With a design tailored to the vehicle model, roof tents, bicycles and roof boxes can be transported even without a railing. We at Germansell will be happy to advise you on which system is recommended for your vehicle and will be happy to show you the benefits. Due to our extensive experience with roof rails and luggage racks in various designs, we can find the right system for your requirements in a number of cases.

Do I have to go to the workshop to install the roof rails?

This is another question often asked of Germansell. The installment of a roof rail or other roof rack system can be done by an average car driver himself. Due to the detailed instructions and the understandable, illustrated presentation, it is also possible for an untrained person to complete the installation in about 30 minutes. The videos, which we are happy to provide, also help in this regard.

What are the advantages of the Germansell roof rails?

Roof rails expand the range of use of a vehicle in many aspects of your everyday life. During vacations, but also at work, the possibility of transporting the car can be significantly expanded thanks to this roof construction. After all, it is not always possible or even desirable to rent a trailer and use it to transport bulky goods. In many cases, a trailer is also hardly suitable to transport the desired goods adequately protected. With a roof railing, a platform is available that can be used for many tasks that the driver may not even think of at the time of installation.
Through the roof railing, one is prepared for all transport cases, both privately and for business, and can move even more mobile and independent with his vehicle. The railing carriers in themselves also hardly contribute to an increase of vehicle weight. When mounted on a van or bus, the basic racks only increase the vehicle by a few centimeters. Caution is only required as soon as transport is carried out on the roof rack. Here, the driver should find out well in advance whether there are any passageways with restricted clearance heights on his route.

Installing roof rails - even before selling the vehicle?

our increasingly mobile society, the possible uses of roof rails are growing rather than shrinking. In addition to enriching free time, however, the focus can also be on increasing the value of the vehicle. Many buyers of a station wagon or an SUV value this not only practical but also elegant equipment part and do not want to miss it. Due to its exposed position on the roof of the vehicle, it immediately catches the eye of any buyer and is a good selling point, so that the subsequent installation of roof rails on a vehicle that would otherwise be difficult to sell can be well worthwhile. 

How to find the best roof rails for your vehicle

When comparing suppliers buyers should of course always look for an appropriate price-performance ratio - this principle also applies when buying a roof railing. However, in view of the safety aspects that need to be taken into account when transporting loads on the vehicle roof, no compromises should be made when it comes to quality. Only properly secured loads will arrive safely at their destination. Even more important is that no other road users are endangered during the journey. This requires a roof platform whose roof beams are of high quality.

Even on short transports, an accident caused by an unsecured load can cause a lot of damage. The fact that the goods being transported may break is only one aspect. The focus is on the safety of other road users, whom an inadequately secured load can endanger. In most cases, damage caused by cargo loss is triggered by inadequate fastening of the platforms attached to the railing or by unprofessional lashing. But the basic prerequisite for solid load securing is a roof railing that provides a stable base and secure fastening points for the cross members and transport platforms attached to it. Of course, this also applies to the installation of a roof tent, because campers on the vehicle roof also need a solid base for the tent floor.

In order to find the right product for one's own car and to make a purchase decision that will prove to be correct even after many years with a product of solid quality and in numerous smoothly handled transports, those interested in a roof railing should seek advice from a specialist. We will be happy to answer your questions and explain the options available for your vehicle for installing a roof railing or an alternative roof platform. Feel free to contact us to find the best roof rails for your vehicle.