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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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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).
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; Oct 28, 2022 at 12:38 PM.
Reason: Double response.
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.
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