Does anybody know what this roof bar is for?

Twogirls

Twogirls

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On our Bessacarr E560 there are two parallel bars on the roof, one on each side. Can anyone tell me what they are for? We currently have our drive away awning attached to one of the roof bars as its just the right height, but is this advisable? Wondering if strong winds pulling the awning would cause damage to the roof bar.
 
I think people usually use them to secure items to the roof whilst in transit, like awnings folded up in it's bag etc.
 
Hi, if they are like mine they are for decoration only as they not suitable for any kind of load bearing ,and you can’t even see them from ground level . :oops:

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Think you will find that on panel van conversions they are mostly decorative but on coachbuilds they can actually be used, check where you can walk on the roof. However on a windy day the awning could induce lateral rather than vertical loads which might be problematic
 
On some vans they are cosmetic, on others you can hang useful things on them.

Image6044732049617152176.jpg
 
Many thanks folks, hopefully if they're strong enough to take a roof rack they'll not be damaged by our awning straps. Maybe it's more likely the straps would rip off the awning tunnel in a high wind .

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I`ve seen similar, we have them on our Rapido, used to mount Top Boxes.? and other storage purposes.
 
The ones on our Fiat Ducato van were just for show and tech screwed through the roof, had to remove and seal up the holes as it began leak in a big way in several places, luckily I noticed before it did some serious damage.
Why the proper fixings weren’t used I don’t know.
Since removing them the wind noise has dramatically reduced.
 
I was surprised to find quite substantial roof bars fitted to our Rienza. They are just below the raised edges of the roof. The solar panel is bolted to them keeping it neatly on the same line as the edges of the roof.
The ladder at back would mean you could in theory fit a roof box for extra storage. We still have spare locker space so I won’t be climbing up there apart from yearly roof washing.
 
on one of our vans the part between the roof bars was the the only place it was safe to stand. pity it was covered in solar panels.
 
The bars are for tying Granny to the roof whilst in her rocking chair if there is no other seats available.
 
Hi Twogirls
Used my roof bar rails for the same purpose as you ended up being the cause of dampness in the roof which was caught early and repaired. However I have not used it for the driveaway since.
 
Put scaffold boards across them to clean the roof.
 
jobla said:
Hi Twogirls
Used my roof bar rails for the same purpose as you ended up being the cause of dampness in the roof which was caught early and repaired. However I have not used it for the driveaway since.
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Oh dear, that's not good. Maybe we need to re-think, but our awning is only attached to the roof bar at the very edge of the roof..maybe we need to get a damp meter and keep an eye on it. Thanks for the info.
 
Another thought. Roofbars when designed for loads take vertical loads. In a bit of breeze the awning tie straps will be tugging more horizontally and intermittently. Why not extend your straps and throw them right over the van (tied to a tennis ball) and peg them down at ground level. The roof bars will keep them off the roof.

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We have them on our Swift Bolero fb682. I’m sure they are there to keep the back of the van connected to the front of the van ???
 
solaris said:
Another thought. Roofbars when designed for loads take vertical loads. In a bit of breeze the awning tie straps will be tugging more horizontally and intermittently. Why not extend your straps and throw them right over the van (tied to a tennis ball) and peg them down at ground level. The roof bars will keep them off the roof.
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We did try that originally, but it's really difficult to get the straps in the right position so they don't lie over the roof lights (we have three on the roof), and we also found the noise of the straps vibrating on the roof during a windy night was really loud and kept us awake! But your point about horizontal pull is a good one. I wonder why motorhomes don't have a rail on the hab side for awnings to go on, the same as caravans do?
 
Twogirls said:
we also found the noise of the straps vibrating on the roof during a windy night was really loud and kept us awake!
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TOP TIP........Put a few twists into the straps to stop the wind setting up an oscillation. You might find it’s much quieter.
This also goes for the down straps on awnings. (y)

Richard.
 
Twogirls said:
We did try that originally, but it's really difficult to get the straps in the right position so they don't lie over the roof lights (we have three on the roof), and we also found the noise of the straps vibrating on the roof during a windy night was really loud and kept us awake! But your point about horizontal pull is a good one. I wonder why motorhomes don't have a rail on the hab side for awnings to go on, the same as caravans do?
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I'd suggest that when mine with sea kayaks on the roof is in a sidewind there is quite a horizontal load on the fixings. If you are worried I'd fit the joining horizontal cross bars to spread the load.
 
Twogirls said:
We did try that originally, but it's really difficult to get the straps in the right position so they don't lie over the roof lights (we have three on the roof), and we also found the noise of the straps vibrating on the roof during a windy night was really loud and kept us awake! But your point about horizontal pull is a good one. I wonder why motorhomes don't have a rail on the hab side for awnings to go on, the same as caravans do?
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You can easily fit one.I have one on mine and use it for my Fiamma Carastore.BUSBY.

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Could they be protection from low branch’s on trees
I thinking of having some like that on my motor home nice to see trees on sites but you do have to watch out for low branch’s
 

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