Roof rack weight limit

[timbotrog]

Hi all,
I know the little sticker on the window the my 2003 WG says the roof racks have a weight limit of 68kg, is that for the flexible factory cross bars or for the side rails they mount to.
Thinking of fitting something like Pro Rack, Rola, Thule etc as they have around 100kg weight limits.
I want to put a basket/cage up there and get the spare up and out of the way plus other assorted stuff.
Cheers
Tim

[Savvas]

The 68kg usually refers to the weakest point. I believe the side rails and possibly the roof structure itself are limited to 68kg, regardless of what the bars are rated at.

[dblaj]

My understanding is that the cross bars are rated to 68kg, not the rails. Cross bars rated higher will be fine.

[grand_wj]

Well I have a rola vortex roof rack (larger one) and have bolted it straight to the rails (removed cross bars) I always carry a spare ontop and when camping have approx 60kg + worth of equipment + spare up there...

No signs of damage or buckling anywhere...holds up just fine on rutted tracks.

[fester]

Do someone like Rola who make a specific cross bar for various cars like the Jeep use a generic load rating for their bars or a vehicle specific rating to take into account the weakest link. eg if they sell a 100kg cross bar set for a WJ/G Jeep surely that is what the roof rails are rated to. Surely they would not sell a higher rated product than what they are fixing to, so maybe look at some of those sites and see what their rating is. I would understand multi fit bars having a generic rating but not model specific ones.

[timbotrog]

Grand WJ, I have been looking at the Rola Vortex rack myself. Any chance you can post some pics of how you mounted to the the standard rails please.
I had been looking at getting the smaller of the 2 Vortex racks and it's matching bag.
Cheers
Tim

[grand_wj]

Il get some pics on tomorrow.