96 855; factory rack or Thule?

mattwebb502 · Post by **mattwebb502** » 01 Oct 2012, 18:11

I've got a 96 855R with no factory rack installed.

Should I piece together a factory rack and cross bars, or just piece together a complete Thule setup?

I tend to load down my roof racks at times. Is one stronger than the other?
I certainly like the look of the factory rack better, but if it (along with whatever cross bars I'm supposed to use) is a sissy in comparison to Thule feet/load bar combo then I can't handle it.

Post by **EstVolvo** » 01 Oct 2012, 18:31

I got used factory rails and Thule crossbars (I think they are 58in long). Installation was easy and I'm happy.

Post by **rspi** » 01 Oct 2012, 19:02

I installed roof rails from a V70 that was in a junk yard. Easy to install but I don't like the rain water that it dumps into the car.

Post by **EstVolvo** » 01 Oct 2012, 19:10

How are the rails causing a leak? Where?
Rain water comes through the sun roof.

Post by **rspi** » 01 Oct 2012, 19:19

Whenever it rains the rails channel the water right to the middle of the drivers and passenger side doors. As soon as you open the doors the water runs in the car. You can't even crack the windows if it's raining at all.

byeboy · Post by **byeboy** » 02 Oct 2012, 09:41

rspi: Aren't those rail bases supposed to fit down flush on the roof? Were the strips supposed to be relieved to allow the bases to fit down snug...?
Just doesn't look right to me, but I don't have a V 70 to compare it to.

MilehighV70XC · Post by **MilehighV70XC** » 02 Oct 2012, 13:01

Either option will work about the same in my opinion. I have factory bars on my '99 V70XC and have loaded them down with no problems. My dad on his S70 uses factory rails and Thule crossbars and has had no problems. I think it just comes down to price.

As for the factory ones collecting water. I can contest to that. The water pools where rails connect to the roof. When it rains or snow starts to melt it runs right in to the car on to the window switch or seat switch when the door or window is open. I bought a set of Weather Tech wind deflectors that fit into the window channel. I really like them. I can open the window 3 to 4 inches when raining without any problems. Still trying to find a fix for the water pooling.

Post by **rspi** » 02 Oct 2012, 13:24

byeboy wrote:rspi: Aren't those rail bases supposed to fit down flush on the roof? Were the strips supposed to be relieved to allow the bases to fit down snug...?
Just doesn't look right to me, but I don't have a V 70 to compare it to.

Nope, that's how they are on all the V70's I have seen. I'll look at the 850's next time I see some.

mattwebb502 · Post by **mattwebb502** » 02 Oct 2012, 15:10

Thanks all for the feedback.

Shame on Volvo for the pooling water with factory rails --- that would really irritate me.
Too bad, because I really prefer the look of the earlier/slimmer factory rails.

I guess I'll do what I've always done and get Thule feet and load bars.

Beiner · Post by **Beiner** » 05 Oct 2012, 10:03

I third the rain water pooling with the factory bars. I've put two sheets of 3/4" plywood on my factory bars and had no problems weight-wise. Aerodynamic-wise is another story but the strength of the bars are great!