Rack-ing my brain.

June 19, 2009 4:50 PM

RoofRackFilter: in which the poster ignores all the good advice he received earlier, buys a used Volvo V70, and is confounded by the roof rack.

So, I bought myself a rather high mileage 2001 Volvo V70 T5 on the cheap. So far, so good. Took it to a local mechanic, had a few things done, slapped on some new tires, and it's driving like a champ.

However, the roof rack appears to be an aftermarket custom roof-rack. I've scoured Google, and it looks like it not only isn't the Volvo OEM roof rack, but it also looks fundamentally unlike any other roof rack I've found on my searches. It didn't come with cross-bars or a cover, and I'd sort of like to grab some to both keep those screws from getting rustier, and also possibly haul our bikes somewhere.

I'd love to know what kind of bars I'd need to mount things; a reference to the manufacturer and model, a link to somewhere with crossbars or instructions, or just an explanation of how this works.

Thanks!

posted by eschatfische to travel & transportation (2 comments total)

You may need something like Yakima RailRiders. Do a Google image search. My Jeep Cherokee had rails like this. Not sure if they are still being made though, or have been replaced. I got mine on eBay.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 5:11 PM on June 19

To expand on that slightly...that front screw allows you to remove the plastic bit. Those silver metal bits, on the railriders those would be attached to the towers. So, with the plastic bit removed, the towers slide into the rails.

And you would need the bars and attachments, again, eBay/Craigslist/Kijiji/etc. can be a good source without causing your credit card to melt.

It's hard to tell, but you may also be able to fit normal Thule/Yakima tower feet just outside and over the rails. Almost need a test-fit to be sure though.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 5:49 PM on June 19