Can You Add Roof Rails to a Car? (Read This First!)

Roof rails are considered one of the most versatile features of a car that makes your car ready for anything if you’re thinking of going on a trip and you need to put on a lot of things on your car. In this article, we will discuss if you can add roof rails to a car. 

Adding roof rails to a car 

Adding roof rails to your car will make it more efficient and convenient to use as it will add a new feature to your car. However, in many SUV cars, the roof racks come as a standard feature. But if your car isn’t equipped with a roof rail, you can simply install one yourself. 

Roof rails are considered one of the most convenient and efficient features of a car that makes it usable for a variety of purposes. Sometimes when you think of going on a trip, you may need to carry a lot of things in your car which may not fit in the cargo space. 

Considering that, having a roof rack on your car will make it ready for anything. The roof rack is a versatile feature of a car that makes the car look more beautiful and adds more cargo space to carry a lot of things. 

The roof rack can be considered highly efficient when you consider putting it on a family car. When you need to go on a family trip, you will need to carry a lot of things that may not fit in the cargo space. 

In addition to that, a lot of people sitting in the car may not have enough space to keep things in their seats. In such a situation, having a rail roof or roof rack in your car is a must. 

Generally, most SUVs come with a roof rack or roof rail as a standard feature of the car. However, not all cars have a roof rack or roof rail in the car. If your car does not have an active roof rack, you can simply install one yourself. 

There are different types of roof racks available in the market based on the requirements. Sometimes your car may need to be equipped with a full roof rack, which will be able to carry anything.

From transporting a kayak to a bicycle, a full roof rack can hold anything on top of the car. Sometimes the roof racks are also available with only roof rails. Roof rails on top of your car will be an effective solution that is one step away from a full roof rack. 

The only thing that the roof rail does not have is a pair of cross bars. When installing a roof rack or roof rail yourself, you need to make sure that you use the right type of components that are suitable for your car. 

Otherwise, it may not be able to hold the car on top of the car. In addition to that, you also need to make sure that you are careful when loading or unloading your gear from the roof rack because the roof racks are high, maybe even over your head. 

So, there’s a chance that you can break a window or even hurt yourself when unloading gears from the roof rack.

Can you add roof rails to any car?  

Roof racks are considered one of the most versatile features of a card that enables it to carry more items if there is not enough space in the cargo section of the car. 

Having roof rails in your car does not add beauty to it but also helps you to add more cargo space to your car. Nowadays most of the Sections are equipped with roof rails as a part of the standard feature of the car. 

However, all cars don’t need to have roof rails. If your car does not have a roof rail, you can simply add one yourself. However, you need to make sure that your car can be equipped with a roof rail because not all cars are meant to be equipped with a roof rail. 

Below is a brief discussion on whether you can add roof rails to any car mentioned below: 

Kia carnival: 

It is possible to add roof rails to the Kia Carnival. But you need to make sure that you use the Kia Grand Carnival roof rack clamp mount that will help you with easy mounting on your car.

Dodge Caravan: 

Yes, it is possible to install a roof rail on the Dodge Caravan, but you need to make sure that you use the right size roof rail for the Dodge Caravan, otherwise, it may not be a suitable fit for your car.

How much does it cost to put roof rails on a car?  

Having a roof rack or roof rail is very important for your car which will help you to add extra space to it. 

If you have a family car that requires a large cargo space you may need to add roof rails on your car to add more cargo space. Nowadays some of the issues we have are roof rails installed in the car as a standard feature. 

However, if your car does not have a roof rail, you can simply install one yourself. Installing a roof rail on your car is not that much expensive. There are complete roof rack setups available in the market that start under $150 for a used rack that is found on older vehicles. 

In addition to that, depending on cars, the prices for installing a roof rail including installation cost may go all the way through $500 or more for a new, aerodynamic top-of-the-line setup.

What is the difference between roof rails and roof racks? 

Having a roof rail, or roof rack on your car is one of the most efficient and convenient ways to increase cargo space on your car. Generally having a roof rack or roof rail can be considered a versatile feature on your car that will help you to make your car ready for anything. 

Whenever you need to transport large items, you can Simply put them on the roof rail or roof rack of your car and transport them easily. Sometimes you may mix up roof rack, and roof rail thinking both are the same. 

However, both of them are not the same and have some significant differences when you look at them carefully. 

However, their purpose and use is also different from each other. Below is a brief discussion on what is the difference between roof rails and roof racks: 

Mounting position: 

Generally, the roof rails run along the length of your car’s roof, whereas the roof racks are mounted from door to door over the roof. 

Mounting direction: 

One of the most common things that differentiate the roof rail and roof rack from each other is the mounting direction which is not the same way. 

Design: 

Another thing that can be considered as the primary difference between the roof rail and the roof rack is the design of these components.

How to install roof rails on a car?  

Having a roof rail on your car can be considered one of the most versatile features of the car, which adds more cargo space to it. 

In addition to that, if you have a family car, having a roof, rail, or roof rack on your car will add more cargo space which will make your car ready for anything.

If you need to go on a trip with large items carried in your car, you can simply rely on the roof rail. 

Although most modern SUVs have a roof rail in their car as a standard feature for the car, you can try installing a roof rail on your car to get rid of the hassle if you do not have one in your car. 

However, you can simply follow the steps below to install roof rails on your car easily:  

Determine the option: 

The first thing you need to determine when installing a roof rail on your car is to determine the best option and configuration for the roof rail of your car. 

You always need to make sure that you choose the right type of roof rail for your car that is suitable for the rooftop configuration of your car. Otherwise, it may not be able to hold the roof rail to your car strongly.

Drill holes carefully: 

When installing the roof rail on your car, you need to drill the holes carefully and make sure you measure to maintain the measurement so that they can be done perfectly. Now you can approach the final step.

Mount the roof rail: 

Finally, mount the roof rail and tighten the screws so that they can attach to your car strongly. The roof rail needs to maintain its sustainability on the roof of the car.

Final Thoughts 

Having a roof rail in your car can be considered a versatile feature that adds more cargo space to your car, although most SUV vehicles nowadays have a roof rail installed in them as a standard feature. You can simply install one if you do not have one in your car.