SUV roof rails retrofit?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Warsaw, Poland
X253 GLC 220d, Mazda MX-5 ND RF
SUV roof rails retrofit?
Hi there.
I never thought I'd need a roof luggage box or anything like it so I decided to configure my GLC SUV without roof rails. Unfortunately, the day came and it seems that the possibility of putting some load on the roof would be a plus for me (to be honest - I have some woodden struts to buy and they are long enough so they won't fit inside but there's so few of them that no sane mill will sell me them with shipping.
I thought about roof rack but I don't have OEM rails.
I'm a bit afraid of all those roof-edge installation racks that they will scratch my roof (and a friend of my had serious leaks into the inside of the car because the seal along the door edge was not sealing the door properly after installing such rack.
Is there any reasonable possibility of retrofitting a factory roof rails? If so, can anyone provide me with needed part numbers?
Best regards,
MK
I never thought I'd need a roof luggage box or anything like it so I decided to configure my GLC SUV without roof rails. Unfortunately, the day came and it seems that the possibility of putting some load on the roof would be a plus for me (to be honest - I have some woodden struts to buy and they are long enough so they won't fit inside but there's so few of them that no sane mill will sell me them with shipping.
I thought about roof rack but I don't have OEM rails.
I'm a bit afraid of all those roof-edge installation racks that they will scratch my roof (and a friend of my had serious leaks into the inside of the car because the seal along the door edge was not sealing the door properly after installing such rack.
Is there any reasonable possibility of retrofitting a factory roof rails? If so, can anyone provide me with needed part numbers?
Best regards,
MK
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,578
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
What about renting a cargo trailer, U-Haul or pickup truck, or some combination thereof to haul the wood?
Roof rails have through fasteners into the roof sheet metal. While not impossible, shops may be reluctant. Porsche dealers won’t add rails after the fact because of damage, appearance and leak risks.
Roof rails have through fasteners into the roof sheet metal. While not impossible, shops may be reluctant. Porsche dealers won’t add rails after the fact because of damage, appearance and leak risks.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Warsaw, Poland
X253 GLC 220d, Mazda MX-5 ND RF
What about renting a cargo trailer, U-Haul or pickup truck, or some combination thereof to haul the wood?
Roof rails have through fasteners into the roof sheet metal. While not impossible, shops may be reluctant. Porsche dealers won’t add rails after the fact because of damage, appearance and leak risks.
Roof rails have through fasteners into the roof sheet metal. While not impossible, shops may be reluctant. Porsche dealers won’t add rails after the fact because of damage, appearance and leak risks.
To rent anything just for this would be a huge overkill. I thought about roof rails because the rack could after all come handy again in the future.
I see your point though. If the rails indeed do need drilling in the roof sheet then I'd definitely not go for it.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,578
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Rent or borrow. Rent a pickup from Home Depot or similar. Tie the wood to the roof of the truck with it wedged against the tailgate.
Rent a full size SUV from Enterprise for one day. It likely has roof rails.
Both of the above ideas are less than $100. Roof rails on a GLC that doesn't have them will be 10x the cost, or more. And the roof might leak.
Rent a full size SUV from Enterprise for one day. It likely has roof rails.
Both of the above ideas are less than $100. Roof rails on a GLC that doesn't have them will be 10x the cost, or more. And the roof might leak.
Last edited by chassis; Jun 8, 2021 at 08:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Warsaw, Poland
X253 GLC 220d, Mazda MX-5 ND RF
Yeah, I forgot that this is MB and everything has to be expensive as hell ;-) And indeed the necessity to drill the roof is the ultimate argument against the idea.
Maybe I'll have to rent something for a day indeed. Haven't thought about it to be honest and it seems cheaper than I thought (should be around 50$ per day).
Thanks for the idea.
Maybe I'll have to rent something for a day indeed. Haven't thought about it to be honest and it seems cheaper than I thought (should be around 50$ per day).
Thanks for the idea.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 161
From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
” I thought about roof rack but I don't have OEM rails.“
Have you considered high density foam ‘racks’ designed to carry Kayaks and surf boards ?
Theses stretch across roof and are held in place with webbing straps, fold up into a carry bag. I presume purchase from a surf shop or outdoor Watersport outlet.
Have you considered high density foam ‘racks’ designed to carry Kayaks and surf boards ?
Theses stretch across roof and are held in place with webbing straps, fold up into a carry bag. I presume purchase from a surf shop or outdoor Watersport outlet.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 161
From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
There are about a dozen manuf out there with varying features and price points.
Just make sure base are not rough or sandy as they will create scratch or rub marks on roof. Only fit them when you want to use to avoid roof noise or wind rub,vibration.
Handy to store under trunk for opportune purchasing !!
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Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 36
From: Suffern, NY
2020 GLC300 & 2009 SL550 (previously had 1999 CLK / 2006 E500 / 2011 GL450)
If you have the flush side rails, then you can easily add after-market crossbars for about one-quarter of the Mercedes dealership cost for the OEM ones -- they install by clamping to the factory installed side rails that run front to back (which is similar to how the OEM crossbars install).
