Thule Roof Rack 751/753 Foot or VW roof prep rails

[Jayjmac]

Fitted the prep today.. pretty simple..

 

[Jayjmac]

Hides my red bit in the gutter where the wrap stops! Ideal

 

[JOG]

I know what you're saying pal.
The oem bars are very discreet though. Once my roof box is off later or tomorrow I'll send you a photo of mine. See what you think.
Have a look at @Fish van.....you would not believe how much timber, glue, stain and DeWalt he gets in his van/palace.
The way I see it is the vans are too expensive a hobby if they're not working and earning.
Mine carries me and the wife for weeks at a time around the UK and Europe touring then when working is pulling a tri-axle 18ft trailer through axle deep mud and shi* collecting waste.

I completely agree with your thinking - it’s got to be paying for itself. We ditched the flash cars so that we have a California as a versatile family car (me, wife, two kids and two dogs!) That said, I’m a bit envious of you and your wife touring Europe!!

 

[dav1d]

Hi @Jayjmac, looks good and something I’m planning to do. Do you have be entire list of part numbers? And did you just order them from a VW dealer?

How was fitting? From what I read it seems like you need to drill extra holes in the roof (which sounds a bit scary!). Did you need access to the roof from inside? (I’ve already lined ceiling panels).

 

[Jayjmac]

Hi @Jayjmac, looks good and something I’m planning to do. Do you have be entire list of part numbers? And did you just order them from a VW dealer?

How was fitting? From what I read it seems like you need to drill extra holes in the roof (which sounds a bit scary!). Did you need access to the roof from inside? (I’ve already lined ceiling panels).

No drilling at all. Mines a SWB you undo the current roof screws drop the rail into position and fix down with the 4 separate screws (I’ll get to these in a min) like someone mentioned above somewhere the plastic end has a hole but nothing on the van to fix into. It’s quite tight I may blob a bit of mastic under it at a later date if it flaps around but it’s pretty firm.

VW said I need this whole fixing kit to go with the rails when what I actually needed was x8 6mm countersunk t25 head screws. Had I have known I’d have sorted the screws myself.

I purchased the whole kit from VW I’ll dig out the part numbers. It’s pretty easy for them to find.

 

[dav1d]

No drilling at all. Mines a SWB you undo the current roof screws drop the rail into position and fix down with the 4 separate screws (I’ll get to these in a min) like someone mentioned above somewhere the plastic end has a hole but nothing on the van to fix into. It’s quite tight I may blob a bit of mastic under it at a later date if it flaps around but it’s pretty firm.

VW said I need this whole fixing kit to go with the rails when what I actually needed was x8 6mm countersunk t25 head screws. Had I have known I’d have sorted the screws myself.

I purchased the whole kit from VW I’ll dig out the part numbers. It’s pretty easy for them to find.

OK, I thought that the van as standard has 4 holes on each side, but the rails have 8 holes each, so I was under the impression that extra holes need drilling with nuts inserted from inside. Did you decide not to do this as the standard 4 bolts each side hold it down enough?

 

[Jayjmac]

OK, I thought that the van as standard has 4 holes on each side, but the rails have 8 holes each, so I was under the impression that extra holes need drilling with nuts inserted from inside. Did you decide not to do this as the standard 4 bolts each side hold it down enough?

The rail does have 8 holes and the van does only have 4 but I found the 4 was more than enough for my needs. After installing the roof bars they sit pretty solid. I personally do not intend to be carrying anything seriously heavy up there just a roof box with clothing and duvets in and maybe the odd triple extension ladder neither of which weigh a great deal..

 

[T6TOMTOM]

So I use a Thule Omnistor which is bolted to the rails and attach my awning to that

View attachment 93128

Hi Gerry, that is tidy ! Can u show us a close up of your bolting > to awning ... from behind....? cheers

 

[Danny1964Boy]

I have the factory roof rack preparation and want to use the Thule 753 ( or the lowest possible system ). Anyone know if the 753 can be fit to the T tracks?

 

[Andysmee]

I have the factory roof rack preparation and want to use the Thule 753 ( or the lowest possible system ). Anyone know if the 753 can be fit to the T tracks?

I believe you use the Thule 3057 foot set to slide into these roof prep rails...see below!

 

[Andysmee]

For my part, I have the thule 860-862 + 794/795 aerobars so back to normal roof rails for me

 

[Montecha]

You need the 751/753 plus the 3057 foot pack / adapter, for the VW T-Track system. I'm using 753 with 3057, plus 127cm aero bars for my Cali roof.

I have the 3057 foot pack on my kitchen table, will post a picture shortly.

 

[JOG]

You need the 751/753 plus the 3057 foot pack / adapter, for the VW T-Track system. I'm using 753 with 3057, plus 127cm aero bars for my Cali roof.

I have the 3057 foot pack on my kitchen table, will post a picture shortly.

View attachment 115006

View attachment 115007

View attachment 115008

View attachment 115009

That’s what I got, but I bought the 135cm wingbars for my Cali. Using the 735 lower profile foot too

 

[Taylorm]

No drilling at all. Mines a SWB you undo the current roof screws drop the rail into position and fix down with the 4 separate screws (I’ll get to these in a min) like someone mentioned above somewhere the plastic end has a hole but nothing on the van to fix into. It’s quite tight I may blob a bit of mastic under it at a later date if it flaps around but it’s pretty firm.

VW said I need this whole fixing kit to go with the rails when what I actually needed was x8 6mm countersunk t25 head screws. Had I have known I’d have sorted the screws myself.

I purchased the whole kit from VW I’ll dig out the part numbers. It’s pretty easy for them to find.

Did your bolts from VW look like these? Did they have any rubber seals? If you can share the part number for the bolt kit that would be great

 

[Jayjmac]

Did your bolts from VW look like these? Did they have any rubber seals? If you can share the part number for the bolt kit that would be great

Hello mate,

sorry for the late reply! I got it all from VW parts. I think from memory you get the rails and a separate fixing kit. Comes with all sorts of bits you dont need… or maybe I did but I didnt fit them. I’m away but I’ll dig out the invoice or email.