Roof Rack System

sklater · Post by **sklater** » 17 Jul 2012, 11:50

Hey guys,

Looking at getting a roof rack system for my 2002 s60. AWD for family trips and such. I'm looking at keeping this car for about two more years before I get rid of it, so am wondering if I should purchase OEM volvo roof bars or to get an aftermarket such as Thule or Yakima that I could just then transfer to my new vehicle with small upgrade parts.

I can get OEM bars for around 150-200 bucks. I do have a question about these. The place I usually order my stuff from swedishautoparts.com lists two sets, one for a car with rails, one without. I don't think I've ever seen an s60 with roof rails, so a little confused. Mine do have the metal clips already in place, but no obvious rails (unless rails in swedish are different??). Unless that groove around the roof line by the doors are considered rails.

Any help would be appreciated. (need to order soon). I'll try to upload a picture later if that helps. I've asked the website but haven't heard back in two days. (they ship stuff really fast, but takes time to get responses sometimes for me)

Post by **fazool** » 17 Jul 2012, 12:11

I shopped for these also, for my two S60's but I haven't bought yet. My intent was for a ski rack.

As I could tell, we need to buy a pair of "load bars" that mount in place using the clips and run left-to-right (parallel to the bumpers). Then you can buy the particular carrying rack/accessory that attaches to the load bars (such as a ski rack, bike carrier, kayak holder, luggage holder, etc.)

The latter can be transferred to another car but you need the load bars first.

I was going to buy a pair of Volvo load bars, then add a thule ski rack (which could be moved to any other car with load bars).

sklater · Post by **sklater** » 17 Jul 2012, 17:04

I already have a basket for my roof. I'm looking at getting the load boars. The question is the product page specifies with or without roof rails? I've never seen a volvo s60 with rails, so what are they specifying? I'm assuming all s60's have the metal latch in the roof sides.

Here's the link. Just scroll down a little farther than half way till you see them.

http://swedishautoparts.com/S60/volvo-s60-accessories.

sklater · Post by **sklater** » 17 Jul 2012, 17:05

I'm trying to figure out to get OEM bars, or aftermarket bars. If I get OEM bars, then I leave them with the car when I get rid of it. If I get Thule or other Bar and Foot setup I could transfer it with a little cost in upgrades for the adapters.

Post by **velorider** » 17 Jul 2012, 17:18

I have the Thule system. At the time Yakima didn`t make the clips that fit, maybe a Swedish conspiracy. The system is transferable by purchasing new clips, about $60. I don't know anything about the OEM racks, the Thule have infinite usage: skis, bike, surf, etc.

Note, the interior noise is much louder with the bars up there.

tallyn · Post by **tallyn** » 18 Jul 2012, 08:56

i just ordered and received a set of the oem load bars. really easy to install. i too debated the thule kit, but no-one has the fit kit for the footpack in-stock, so be prepared if you order the thule kit, you may be waiting awhile for it to ship.

the oem bars go on really easily, just a couple of minutes

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 19 Jul 2012, 21:59

DO NOT GET THE OEM SQUARE BAR...REPEAT DO NOT GET THIS BAR! (thule)

The noise is unbearable at highway speeds if the rack is empty. When my box is on it, the box disrupts the air enough to keep the noise down but then there is also the noise the box too!

Whatever genius thought square bars were a good idea needs to drive cars a bit more..

I've been considering some of the el-cheapos on flea-bay that are areo dynamic...just to see if they can take any weight. I'm sure anything round or areo from Yak or Thule has to be an improvement.

I made the mistake because the stealership in my area sold the bars to me for $120 (about $60) and I didn't want to wait to order online, big mistake!

SweedSpeed · Post by **SweedSpeed** » 20 Jul 2012, 20:59

I have the OEM square bars on my 01 S60T and w/out the fairing it is ridiculously noisy; with fairing, no noise at all. I also read you can wrap black rope or something like it, around the bars and it disrupts the wind enough to eliminate the noise. Personally didn't want the rope-look and did want the fairing. Load bars, fairing and bike shot tray were all very easy to install.

Post by **fazool** » 20 Jul 2012, 21:35

WHat if you got some foam pipe insulation from the hardware store. The kind thats split lengthwise and wrapped it around the square bar ?

SweedSpeed · Post by **SweedSpeed** » 21 Jul 2012, 19:48

Makes sense to me. And certainly cost effective.