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Frequently Asked Questions and Their
Answers
Perrycraft, Inc as a
manufacturer, sells only to wholesale customers. We do
not sell directly to retail consumers. If you are a
retail consumer and would like to purchase a Perrycraft
product, please click here: "Find a Retail Location"
to locate the retail outlet near
you.
Q: Which rack do I need for my
vehicle or for my customer's vehicle?
A.
Actually, there is one critical question that must be
answered before deciding which particular style of roof
rack is best suited for your particular needs: How much
load capacity (weight carried on the rack's crossbars)
will I or my customer need?"
The rated load capacity of roof racks is stated in
terms of "static" weight load (see next question for
definition). Our medium-duty racks, DynaSport™ and
SporTrek™, provide a 75-lb load capacity relative
to items carried on the crossbars.
Aventura™ racks provide a 110-lb load rating, while
our SportQuest™ racks are rated at 180-lb load
capacity.
For heavier load requirements, the combination of
either the Aventura or DynaSport "roof rails" in
conjunction with the Mont Blanc
Gripper add-on load bars
provides an industry leading 220-lbs load rating.
Please see Mont
Blanc™ Locking Load Bars for additional info.
Remember, the "carrying capacity" of the roof rack
being installed relative to the intended use of the rack
must always take precedent
over styling, cost, etc.
Once this critical question has been answered, please
see our online Product
Application Guide (Acrobat Reader necessary for
viewing) or your printed version to determine the
particular size rack needed for the specific vehicle.
The Bold Italic type on most vehicle applications
indicates the closest in appearance to the "OE"
(factory) rack, and is our recommendation provided that
it meets the needed load capacity that has been
determined. When no bold italic type appears, we do not
have sufficient information to recommend a factory
look-alike, so choose the style that suits you or have
your customer choose a style. Keep in mind that everyone
has his/her own opinion, and individual tastes
vary.
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Q: What is "static" load
capacity?
A: Roof rack load capacity is
stated as "static" load weight. Static load is defined
as stationary, non-moving load weight. Load "inertia"
created by a vehicle moving at normal operating speeds
over dips, bumps, curves, etc. on the roadway can cause
the stationary load weight being carried on the
crossbars to more than triple. For example, a 50 pound
static load on the crossbars can increase to 150 - 200
pounds or more during normal vehicle operation.
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Q: My vehicle has rails on the roof that run
front-to-rear, but it has no crossbars for carrying
cargo off the roof panel. What can I do?
A:
Many station wagons, mini-vans, and Sport Utility
Vehicles are now being produced by automobile
manufacturers with this configuration. Many dealer parts
departments do not have crossbar kits available, leaving
you to look elsewhere. By adding Perrycraft's SportQuest™
Clamp-Mount Bars or Mont Blanc™ Locking
Load Bars, you will have the capability to carry
many different types of cargo without worrying about the
load damaging the paint on the vehicle roof. See Page 6
of our Application
Guide to see if load bars are available for your
vehicle.
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Q: How can I increase the load capacity of my
existing factory or aftermarket roof rack?
A:
Perrycraft offers "upgrade" kits and add-on load bars
adaptable to many factory racks (and roof rails that
have no crossbars), allowing load capacity increases to
either 180 or 220 pounds. Refer to the "Upgrade Kit
" section of our Application Guide to see if an upgrade
kit or loadbar set is available for your vehicle.
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Q: I want to carry
bikes/canoe/kayak/skis/snowboards/lumber/ladders, etc.
on my roof rack. What is available for my
vehicle?
A: First, determine what your load
capacity needs are, based on what you want to carry, and
the load capacity of your existing roof rack (some
factory racks have the load capacity labeled on the rack
itself, or you may be able to locate it in your Owner's
Manual). If your factory rack meets your load capacity
needs, see our "Sports
Equipment Carriers & Accessories" section on
this website for available products. If your factory
rack won't carry the load, refer to Page 6 of our online
Application Guide to see if an
upgrade kit or load bars are available for your vehicle
(then refer to the Sports
Equipment Carriers & Accessories section for
specific accessory availability).
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Q: I want to purchase and install a roof rack
myself. How difficult is it?
A: Depending on
your vehicle, the style of rack chosen, and your level
of mechanical ability, most aftermarket roof racks can
be installed in about an hour. However, to effect the
warranty on such racks, it will be necessary to have it
installed by a professional installer. Normally, the
installation cost is reasonable, and well worth the cost
versus the risk.
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Q: What is the warranty period on Perrycraft &
Mont Blanc products, and what is covered?
A:
All Perrycraft & Mont Blanc products are warranted
for Three (3) Years to the original purchaser against
any defects in material and workmanship. However, there
are exclusions from warranty coverage under certain
conditions as detailed under "Warning" on our
Warranty/Consumer Information Card included in every
roof rack kit manufactured by Perrycraft, Inc.
A sample card reads as follow:
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WARNING:
External roof
racks do not increase the GVWR of the vehicle.
Maximum load for this rack is 75 pounds,
evenly distributed on crossbars assemblies.
Keep in mind that torque applied to any
straps, cords, etc. between the load and the
vehicle body effectively add "load weight" to
crossbars and the vehicle roof.
Large or
flat items such as plywood or watercraft can trap
air and create wind lift. Secure the ends of such
objects directly to the vehicle bumpers or tie
downs.
Bulky or tall loads can create
tremendous horizontal wind resistance from
headwinds and crosswinds.
Extreme caution
should be used when transporting such loads,
taking into consideration road conditions, vehicle
speed, crosswinds, load securing methods, etc.
Large, bulky, tall or flat objects should
be properly secured to both crossbars and other
attachment points on the vehicle body.
PERRYCRAFT, INC.
assumes no responsibility for style or size of
rack installed, improper rack installation,
exceeding rack load limits, load securement
methods, vehicle roof strength, wind lift, or any
other factors beyond its control. All fasteners,
knobs, and load securements should be checked
frequently and tightened as
necessary. |
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Q: I want to install a roof rack on the
fiberglass/composite truck cap or lid on my pickup. Can
I install it with the self-sealing sheet metal screws in
a "standard" rack kit designed for sheet metal
installation?
A: Absolutely not!
Perrycraft offers special Fiberglass Mounting Kits for
bolt-through installation. These kits come complete with
stainless steel fasteners, all necessary seals
(gaskets), molded plastic screw covers for the interior
(don't want a customer's head hitting a screw sticking
through to the inside!), and detailed installation
instructions.
If your question is not addressed here, please
feel free to e-mail us at info@perrycraft.com.
If you would like us to call you with an answer, please
provide a daytime phone number. Otherwise, you will
receive a prompt response by e-mail.
PERRYCRAFT, INC. assumes no
responsibility for style or size of rack installed,
improper rack installation, exceeding rack load limits,
load securement methods, vehicle roof strength, wind
lift, or any other factors beyond its control. All
fasteners, knobs, and load securements should be checked
frequently and tightened as necessary.
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