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Roof Bars for Raised Roof Rails

Roof bars for cars with raised roof rails

Raised roof rails are the classic type: two rails that run from the front of the roof to the back, held up on small legs so there is a visible gap between the rail and the roof panel. Estates, 4x4s and older SUVs usually have them. If your car has this type, the cross bars in this collection clamp around the rail itself, so no drilling and no door frame contact.

The 10-second check

  1. Stand at the side of your car and look at the roof.
  2. Find the rail that runs front to back.
  3. Try to slide your fingers underneath it, in the middle.
  4. If your fingers go under, you have raised roof rails and you are in the right place. If nothing fits under, you have flush rails instead.

The four roof types side by side

Roof type identification guide comparing raised roof rails, flush roof rails, fixed points and a bare roof

Roof type What you see on the car Quick test Shop
Raised roof rails Rails front to back, lifted off the roof on small legs Your fingers slide right under the rail You are here
Flush roof rails Rails front to back, sitting flat against the roof Nothing fits underneath, not even one finger Flush rail roof bars
Fixed points No rails, but small plastic covers or flaps on the roof Lift a cover and you find a threaded hole Fixed point roof bars
Bare roof Nothing on the roof at all Completely smooth; bars clamp into the door frame Bare roof roof bars

Why the roof type matters

Roof bars are not universal. A bar made for raised rails will not sit correctly on a flush rail, and a bare roof kit will not attach to a rail at all. Choosing the wrong type is the single most common reason a roof bar set gets returned, so it is worth the ten seconds to check before you order.

Still not sure? Send us your registration number and we will tell you which roof type your car has and which bars fit it.

What kind of roof does your car have?

Roof bars are not one size fits all. Pick your roof type first — it takes ten seconds and it is the biggest single cause of wrong orders.

Raised roof rails Rails run front to back with a visible gap. You can pass your hand underneath. 2606 products Flush roof rails Rails sit flat on the roof with no gap. Nothing fits underneath. 1326 products Fixed points No rails, but small covered mounting points sit in the roof edge. 12 products Bare roof Completely smooth roof. Bars clamp into the door frame. 183 products

Still not sure? Read the 60-second UK roof type guide.

2606 products

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