Size & Style of Roof Rack Needed.....
In cases of any vehicle without an existing factory or aftermarket roof rack, the correct way to determine the appropriate roof rack for your customer is to first determine the rack best suited for the intended use. You need to ask two basic questions of your customer:

1. How much load capacity do you need (or "what are you going to carry?")?
   
   Our medium-duty racks (DynaSport™ and SporTrek™) provide a 75-pound "static" load capacity (evenly distributed on the crossbar assemblies). 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.  Aventura racks are rated at 110-pounds, and SportQuest™ is rated at 180-pounds load capacity (evenly distributed).
   
   
   
2. Is the rack primarily for looks?
   
   If so, use the Part # in bold / italic type in our Product Application Guide. When no bold italic type appears, we do not have sufficient information to recommend a factory rack look-alike, so have your customer choose a style. Keep in mind that everyone has his/her own opinion, and individual tastes vary. Download the Product Application Guide here.

The "carrying capacity" of the roof rack being installed relative to the intended use of the rack must always take precedent over styling, unit cost, etc.

Once these questions are answered, refer to our online Application Guide (or your printed copy) to determine the size rack recommended for a specific vehicle. However, if a heavy load capacity is required, refer to the SportQuest™ column in the Guide, which shows the minimum recommended size for that vehicle. If longer side rails (tracks) and/or a wider load platform is desired, take a measurement, then check our Jobber Price List or call 800-777-7081 to find out if either may be applicable.

Help your customer make a wise choice the first time around, and you won’t regret it later!

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OEM (Factory) Rack Installation Positioning vs. Aftermarket Rack Installation Positioning...
Nowadays, it seems more and more factory racks are being installed over the "body seams", which run front-to-rear on either side of the vehicle’s roof panel. In most cases, the body seam has a vinyl or plastic "filler strip" glued or screwed into the body seam. Unfortunately, our aftermarket racks cannot currently be installed in these areas. Sizes reflected in our Product Application Guide are designed and manufactured to be installed on the "flat" sheet metal just inboard of the body seams, but not necessarily parallel to those body seams (see next topic for more on this!).

Non-Parallel Body Seams; What To Do.......
A growing number of vehicle roof-panel body seams do not run parallel to each other as was the case in the past. The distance between the body seams may increase toward the front of the vehicle’s roof panel. The major challenge presented by this configuration is in instances of the vehicle having a factory "moonroof" (see next topic). Alternatives to the conventional roof rack installation, where the side rails or tracks run parallel to each other, are to (a) install a rack appropriate to the width of the body seam at the front, cutting the rear crossbar to obtain the appropriate width for fitment at the rear [Note: this limits functionality with regard to front-to-rear crossbar adjustability], or (b) installing our DynaSport™ Roof Rails in conjunction with our Mont Blanc™ Locking Load Bars. This combination allows the necessary side-to-side spacing of the Roof Rails to align with the "tapering" of the body seams while permitting full front-to-rear positioning of the Mont Blanc™ Load Bars. Couple that with a 220-pound load capacity, and you’ve got a winning combination!

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Vehicles With Sunroofs/"Moonroofs"........
Factory-installed and aftermarket "Moonroofs" (drop-down, internal slider): One of the most common issues that arises is determining how and where to install a roof rack on a vehicle with a factory "moonroof". There is one basic guideline that should be followed very closely: As a general "rule of thumb", the screws attaching the side rails or tracks of the roof rack should be a minimum of 1 ½" outside the moonroof's glass panel opening on both sides. In essence, the dimension between the fasteners, in one roof rail over to the other rail should be a minimum of 3 inches wider than the sun roof opening width. In 99% of the cases, this will avoid any interference with the glass panel’s drive mechanism.

Keep in mind you can install a rack with side rails extending alongside the glass panel, without negatively impacting the moonroof or roof rack operation using the above stated dimensional criteria.

In some cases, there isn’t adequate room between the glass panel and the "body seam" running front-to-rear on the vehicle roof. In these instances, open the moonroof fully to the rear and check the clearance between the glass panel and the inside of the roof panel at the approximate mounting point nearest the moonroof opening, and insure there is a minimum of ¾" clearance. Important Note: We do not recommend this type of installation, and you are assuming the risk!

Aftermarket "Spoiler (tilt & slide)" or "Pop-Up" Sunroofs:
The guidelines for installation with a moonroof do not apply since there is no mechanical operating mechanism involved with these type sunroofs. Simply order a size rack that will fit at any spacing between the outside of the sunroof frame and the outer rib or body seam (where applicable).

Extreme Front-to-Rear Roof Contours......
Before assembly of any Perrycraft Roof Rack, we recommend that you position the side rails or tracks on the vehicle roof at the approximate installation point and check the curvature of the rail or track relative to the curvature of the vehicle roof. If, when one end meets the roof panel and the other end is ½" or more off the roof panel, modification of the curvature in the side rail or track may be necessary. With Perrycraft Roof Racks, this is easily accomplished by turning the side rail or track upside down, supporting the ends between two saw horses, tables, wooden blocks, etc, and applying moderate pressure to "flex" the side rail or track. You can increase the curvature in order to conform to the roof panel configuration. 

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Tech Tips for Truck Bed Rails Applications & Installations:

For Roof Rack Application & Installation, Click here

HDS (1.9"-round Tubular Steel) Stake-Pocket Mount:
Our HDS stake-pocket mount rails have the footplates welded in place, with the neoprene gasket pre-installed for quick installation.

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LPS Slotted Rails Fitment on Truck Beds with Tool Box:

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