Roof Rails for Bongo

[JF117]

Hi,

Does anyone have any advice on the below style roof rails for Bongo's?

Do they even exist or is it possible to get them custom made through any niche UK fabricators etc?

[g8dhe]

That style only fits roofs that have the rails built in, no Bongo has rails built in.

[JF117]

That style only fits roofs that have the rails built in, no Bongo has rails built in.

I see, what is the alternative for a roofbox on a Bongo?

[gilly99]

Surely better with a tow-ball mounted rack and large box, or even a trailer. How are you going to access a roof box? Bongos fuel economy is bad enough already.

If you insist, then it's something bespoke or its back to the seventies and those style of bars that clamp to the vehicle gutters, but in my opinion the bongos gutters are not really strong enough.

[teenmal]

Is this what you are looking for??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334220219291 ... BvEALw_wcB

[JF117]

Is this what you are looking for??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334220219291 ... BvEALw_wcB

More or less but not sure if they'll fit my roof ?

[JF117]

Surely better with a tow-ball mounted rack and large box, or even a trailer. How are you going to access a roof box? Bongos fuel economy is bad enough already.

If you insist, then it's something bespoke or its back to the seventies and those style of bars that clamp to the vehicle gutters, but in my opinion the bongos gutters are not really strong enough.

Just got a tow bar installed on it there last week - any suggestions for this?

Currently getting about 30-33mpg in the Bongo on a good day

[g8dhe]

Thule do a rack and a variety of storage options that bolt to the rack or even bike holders to the rack as well
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/cargo-carri ... o-carriers

[JF117]

Thule do a rack and a variety of storage options that bolt to the rack or even bike holders to the rack as well
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/cargo-carri ... o-carriers

DSCF6289x1024.jpg

Cool, thanks for that.

I was reading through other threads about towbars and the legalty of them. Essentially read as per another thread that one needs to make sure they're insured and have the vehicle weighed etc?

Does anyone have an updated line on that?

[g8dhe]

Ah, no not for adding a towbar!
There is some debate about towing caravans and the like as there isn't a plate with towing weight specified, however others say that the regulations specify the weight so if you know the weight of the vehicle and the weight of the towed device and its within the written regulations your covered.
I just use the rack and change what I put on it depending what I want!

[teenmal]

Thule do a rack and a variety of storage options that bolt to the rack or even bike holders to the rack as well
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/cargo-carri ... o-carriers

DSCF6289x1024.jpg

Cool, thanks for that.

I was reading through other threads about towbars and the legalty of them. Essentially read as per another thread that one needs to make sure they're insured and have the vehicle weighed etc?

Does anyone have an updated line on that?

Yes, you are perfectly correct regarding insurance, if you intend to fit a tow bar contact your Insurance Company direct (not agent or broker) if ok they will add to your Policy.

[JF117]

Thule do a rack and a variety of storage options that bolt to the rack or even bike holders to the rack as well
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/cargo-carri ... o-carriers

DSCF6289x1024.jpg

Cool, thanks for that.

I was reading through other threads about towbars and the legalty of them. Essentially read as per another thread that one needs to make sure they're insured and have the vehicle weighed etc?

Does anyone have an updated line on that?

Yes, you are perfectly correct regarding insurance, if you intend to fit a tow bar contact your Insurance Company direct (not agent or broker) if ok they will add to your Policy.

Just catching up with this, hard to believe it was in August last year. To provide an update to this thread I had a tow bar installed and I (am certain I) phoned the insurance company who said no problem.

For the roof rails - I ended up going with this local guy I found in N.Ire who sold me these bars that hook onto the gutter rails along the sides of the van. No idea what they're called but essentially they're not screwed down bars on the flat surface of the roof but come down along the side and attach to the gutter rail where because of this, it would impede the roof popping.

Whilst I have yet to actually use the roofbox on a big trip, I bought them because I felt that the cost of them (120£) was ok and the overall concept would satisfy my needs if indeed I was going to go on a big trip to static campsites, probably wouldn't take it at all if I was going wild camping.