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What's the roof rack weight rating?

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Old 06-26-2021, 08:53 AM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
What's the roof rack weight rating?

Can't find the info in factory brochure and I am considering to carry 20' long patio boat tube on the roof.
The tube weight about 150lb, so it is not the weight alone that I am worry about, but the size. My plan is to cut 2x4 and attach it to factory rails, what should make strong support and then add strap to the hitch for wind stabilization.
I don't see any convenient point on front to put another strap, cut did anybody try it?
Old 06-26-2021, 10:04 AM
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A quick Google shows:

Mercedes Benz GLE350 roof rails has a load capacity 150lbs (68kgs) when load is evenly distributed.
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Old 06-26-2021, 10:33 AM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Where did you find the info? I can't find it.
Even MB USA site is not giving the roof rails rating https://www.mbusa.com/en/accessories.../0:A1678903000
Old 06-26-2021, 10:38 AM
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Search for "gle350 roof rack load capacity"

The answer is the first thing that pops up.
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Old 06-26-2021, 10:53 AM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
What I am getting is site selling cross bars, who shows different car ? They say MB rails capacity, but without quoting anything, what I consider unreliable information.
https://www.asgautosports.com/produc...bars-2015-2018
Old 06-26-2021, 06:09 PM
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Take a look on page 381 of the GLE owners manual...it reads, Maximum roof load 220 lb (100 kg)"

Last edited by WN1X; 06-27-2021 at 10:25 AM.
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Old 06-26-2021, 06:32 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Originally Posted by WN1X
Take a look on page 381 of the GLE owners manual...it readss, Maximum roof load 220 lb (100 kg)"
Thanks. I don't have manual yet and not sure will get it with the car, so will take your word for it.
Anybody has a link to PDF manual?
Old 06-27-2021, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
Thanks. I don't have manual yet and not sure will get it with the car, so will take your word for it.
Anybody has a link to PDF manual?
You can google "GLE Owners Manual" as well and the Mercedes Benz Owners Manual website link will be the first search option that shows up.

Here is the link for added simplicity because Googling seems to not be your forte.

https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manuals
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Old 07-09-2021, 06:02 PM
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Made 1800 miles trip with the float on the roof and can testify the rails are really strong.
When I made good job of strapping and bolting the float to the cross members, on my trip I had couple of wind gusts who made for very active ESP reaction.
That had to make for huge side forces on the rails and they hold just fine.

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Old 07-26-2021, 08:01 PM
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Does anyone know of a good source for cross bars for a GLE 43 SUV ?
Old 07-28-2021, 12:55 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Originally Posted by gle43FL
Does anyone know of a good source for cross bars for a GLE 43 SUV ?
I think dealer is the only 1 who might have "flat" bars staying level with side rails.
Thule and other rack manufacturers will have universal mounts, but those elevate the cross bars.
Check your sunroof clearance. I have pano roof and I could not open it with 2x4 resting on top of railings.
Old 08-08-2022, 11:00 AM
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Not sure if you can still get them, but I have Yakima Whispbars that I've run on GL450s, GLS550s and a GLE350. Low profile / aero profile aluminum bars that work on M-B SUV rails. Super strong. Available in different base lengths - you need two different lengths for a GL/GLS, and only one of those will be useful on a GLE (ask me how I know).

I think Yakima "spun off" the Whispbar product into it's own company, but you should be able to google / bing / duck / startpage / etc. to find them...if they're still making/selling them.
Old 08-09-2022, 08:56 AM
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I got my crossbars from eBay (mine isn't an AMG but I assume they're the same). Do an eBay search for "gle roof rack crossbar" and check the "Mercedes Benz" brand box.

Electronic versions of the owner's manual are available through the MercedesMe website (https://www.mbusa.com/mercedesme). Log in or create an account. Once you've entered your vehicle information there will be links to the manuals at the bottom of your "index" page (attaching a screen grab of mine account to illustrate).


Last edited by John Ha; 08-09-2022 at 09:10 AM.
Old 08-09-2022, 09:11 AM
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Double post, dangit! :-(

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Old 10-28-2022, 12:38 PM
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Front tie-down points for roof loads

I've not been logged here for ages, but here's what I suggest, as I carry a pair of sea kayaks on my roof rack, 17 and 18 feet long. Open the hood and put a loop of rope on either side of the engine compartment through any of the various holes to be found. They just need to be long enough to be above the hood, draped on the fenders when you close it. This gives you two points to use to keep the load securely centered and tied down. When you no longer need them as tie-down points, tuck them in and close the hood. I've done this on my 2004, 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2017 models.

Originally Posted by kajtek1
Can't find the info in factory brochure and I am considering to carry 20' long patio boat tube on the roof.
The tube weight about 150lb, so it is not the weight alone that I am worry about, but the size. My plan is to cut 2x4 and attach it to factory rails, what should make strong support and then add strap to the hitch for wind stabilization.
I don't see any convenient point on front to put another strap, cut did anybody try it?

Last edited by Curzon; 10-28-2022 at 12:38 PM. Reason: Double response.
Old 05-30-2024, 09:34 AM
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2017 mercedes GLE350 4matic
GLE roof rack with pano sunroof

Originally Posted by kajtek1
I think dealer is the only 1 who might have "flat" bars staying level with side rails.
Thule and other rack manufacturers will have universal mounts, but those elevate the cross bars.
Check your sunroof clearance. I have pano roof and I could not open it with 2x4 resting on top of railings.
idk why people keep saying this - I got roof racks from an MB wholesale parts distributor, and my pano opens just fine AND with a little adjustments to the rubber, my Thule bike racks fit right into them. Try adjusting where the bars are located - mine as positioned directly in line with the front door jam, and then the back edge of the glass roof.
Attached Files
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IMG_9064.mov (19.82 MB, 11 views)

Last edited by Gcole91; 05-30-2024 at 09:37 AM.

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