Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting LR roof rails fitted to my new car but am wondering whether they are really worth it (are they noisy? Do they affect fuel consumption considerably?) or whether it'd be better to go with a separate, detachable system?

Any thoughts on this appreciated. Cheers,
Mark

I had this same decision, in the end decided to go with clip on bars. I put up some pros and cons as fols:

LR Fitted

Pros
Genuine part
Designed for vehicle
Better connection to vehicle
Cons
Have them on all the time
Dont really like the look of them
Problems with whistling reported
Cost

Thule Clip on
Pros
Cheaper
Good integration with other Thule components
Detachable with ease
Cons
Not 100 percent on how they secure


In the end i went for the Thule clip ons, great if you intend to put Thule Pro Rides on top and of course they are much cheaper than the LR roof rails

Those are my pros and cons, other forum members will certainly disagree with some but its a personal thing to be honest.

Good luck Sport LE Lago Grey

I was amazed that they didn't have the fixings on the car so the roof bars can be properly fitted. I got the Thule clip on fittings. Totally happy with them. (Although fitting the first time was a bit of a game!!) Hi Darling, I'll be home in 10 mins. If I'm not back, please read this message again...

Marktdevon,

Go for the Land Rover Roof Rails, yes more expensive but look so much better.

You can use the Thule or Land Rover roof bars.

The Thule foot pack on the FL2 looks just wrong.
Just look at a Freelander with roof rails and one without !!!

I have no noise at all...and my MPG is just the same.

Hope this helps.

twodogs wrote:

Marktdevon,

Go for the Land Rover Roof Rails, yes more expensive but look so much better.

You can use the Thule or Land Rover roof bars.

The Thule foot pack on the FL2 looks just wrong.
Just look at a Freelander with roof rails and one without !!!

I have no noise at all...and my MPG is just the same.

Hope this helps.

twodogs wrote:

Marktdevon,
I have no noise at all...and my MPG is just the same.
Hope this helps.

Same here - no issues at all.

There is a thing worth to remember, though. Do make sure that your set has properly moulded front and rear plastic covers.
My left rear cover was badly moulded, and did not want to fit flush. I decided to send it back to the dealer for a replacement (hats off to Andy @ Lookers for an outstanding service).

For anyone interested, the plastic mounting was bent inwards (almost broken). Its little "tooth" was dull, and could not grip the place it was designed for on the rail's foot.

https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i.hubnu...775f48.jpg

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

Thanks for the replies so far. What do people use the LR cross bars for?
Cheers
Mark

Marktdevon,

I carry bikes on mine, I use thule 591's, I also carry ladders for work.

Simon CSK is right, the Land Rover roof bars fit between the roof rails and
are quite wide, so if you want to carry ladders as I do and use one of the
ladder clamp things it a pain.

If I had my time to come again, I would have the Land Rover roof rails,
no question about it, but I would buy the Thule Aero bars.

The Aero bars are longer, that give you that little extra width and are no
way near as wide, so easier to use that clamp thing with......

Mark
On a normal roof rack you have cross bars which are supported on feet that secure to either the gutters or roof edge.

The roof rails take the place of the feet and are used to support and cross bars which in turn are used to support the cargo. Simon

2007 Freelander 2 Rimini Red HSE Auto
(Daily Driver)
1991 Range Rover CSK No. 98
(Toy)

Thanks for the helpful advice folks. It sounds like the LR rails are not a bad idea but since I'm planning to put bikes up there, it looks like I'd be better using something other than the LR cross bars.

Thanks again. Mark