calling wagon owners - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wagonboy · #1 08-25-2003, 04:20 PM

Need a bit o help. I am getting into MTB'ing and need a roof rak. I was wondering if it is possible to use the stock rack that came with my TD and just get the bars. If anyone has done this, can I ask which system you guys used and if the part numbers are known to please post it here. Thanks in advance for any help.

psfred · #2 08-25-2003, 09:07 PM

I bought a replacement for a damaged rail on eBay for $25 a year or so ago, after my sister got hit by flying debris. Broke the windsheild, and busted one end off the crossbar.

Peter

wagonboy · #3 08-26-2003, 01:53 AM

Hi Peter, was your system a Thule or Yakima bar? How are the stock rack? Strong enough to carry 2 mountain bikes? TIA.

Lars · #4 08-26-2003, 07:48 AM

Wagenboy,

I've got a 79 TD and I use Thule bars with rain gutter mounts. The gutters are extremely strong and you'll be able to put almost anything on your roof. I have the extra-wide bars on mine, and I often lug around a canoe and two mountain bikes on the bars. Even with this weight and drag, everything stays very secure, much more than if you were mounting on the TD roof rack. Thule bars for rain gutters are easy to find used, as rain gutters are obsolete on cars and people are getting rid of their gutter bars.

Denis

wagonboy · #5 08-26-2003, 09:44 AM

Thanks Denis. Will check out gutter mounts then. Just thought to make use of the stock rack since its there.
Thanks again.

Maxwell · #6 08-26-2003, 11:00 AM

This is a home built for factory bars on a CRV,hopes this helps. http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi

lrg · #7 08-26-2003, 12:22 PM

Wagonboy,
I use a Thule crossbar and bike rack combo on my '85 wagon and can carry two road bikes and a small mountain bike no problem. Sorry, I don't have the part numbers since I bought it years ago and can't find the receipts. I got it at a speciality auto rack store. You'll not be able to use the MBZ crossbars as they are way too filmsy and not really meant to take much pressure. I clamp the Thule cross bars near the front and middle side rail supports (where they attach to the top of the car) for added rigidity. I can just squeeze three bikes on by facing the middle one backwards. The only negative is you'll probably want to remove the bike rack when you aren't using it because it makes a bit of noise at high speeds. By the way, I use the same Thule crossbars to clamp on a ski rack in the winter. I think they sell adapters for boards too. Good luck.

LRG

wagonboy · #8 08-26-2003, 04:18 PM

Thanks LRG, will try to email Thule if they still sell the clamps.

lrg · #9 08-26-2003, 05:19 PM

Wagonboy,
I managed to dig up the Thule manual for the bike rack attachment. It's a 566 (1050-51) rack. Not sure but the number in parenthesis may be the number for the cross bars. I don't think they make this exact bike rack anymore. The newer type has a bigger clamp for mountain bike frames. Mine holds well enough but if you're doing mostly mountain bikes you'll want the later design. Hope this helps.

LRG

wagonboy · #10 08-26-2003, 06:46 PM

Big thanks LRG. Been a bit busy at work, will email Thule later.