Roof Rails

ecrowe

Member
I have a 2019 144 that didn’t come with the OEM roof rails/tracks. Mercedes doesn’t have any in stock and doesn’t seem to have any idea when they will be in stock. Anyone have any experience with the vantech rails, since they are the only ones that I can find? Or have any other rails that they know of? I’m trying to get an awning (probably Thule hideaway) and mount a solar panel, but I need rails first! Also, I tried searching without much luck...sorry if this has been discussed. I’m new.

Thanks,
Eric
 

F2ca170

Member
I don't know if the vantec rails fit a 2019? but I can tell you that I've used a lot of their products on my van and their a great company and good folks to deal with. You might give them a call and they might be able to advise you further.
 

JIB

Well-known member
Unistrut comes in Aluminum too. It's not usually stocked, but is obtainable. 8020 has worked for roof rails for some too.

Jack
 

russinthecascades

Active member
Installed vantech rails on my 2015 170 Extended. Quality product, but for added sealing I used 2" of butyl tape at each hole. Be sure to lay out the railing before removing the roof plugs - we removed one too many at the rear - duh!
 

ecrowe

Member
Thank you everyone for the replies. I'm definitely leaning towards the Vantech rails. They're a good price and it's great to hear people have had good experiences with them.
 

Robert-NE

Member
I have a 2019 144 that didn’t come with the OEM roof rails/tracks. Mercedes doesn’t have any in stock and doesn’t seem to have any idea when they will be in stock.
This is sending up warning flags for me - Mercedes doesn't have roof rails in stock for a 144"??? Either the person you spoke with at MB doesn't know what they are doing, or the 2019 revamp requires a new roof rail design. Might be worth investigating this a little further if it is important to have factory equipment. Not saying it is or is not important, just asking if it is important to YOU. I find it hard to believe that they don't have any stock for the most popular wheelbase if there hasn't been a redesign for 2019.

There is an upfitter here in New England that does all of the dealership upgrades, as well as after-market sales and/or installs. I would reach out to similar outfits near you to see if they have inventory on hand or confirm the dealerships claim of no stock available.
 

Shawn182

Well-known member
I put on the Vantech rails and they are solid as a base for my three solar panels

However, as someone that likes to do things "right"...knowing what I know now I would probably not spend the money again and would have just gone with 1/2 height aluminum strut channel. $36/10' stick from McMaster Carr

https://www.mcmaster.com/struts

See "Low Profile Strut Channel"
 

00frux

New member
Glad I'm seeing this now. I made a roof rack for my LR3 a long time ago out of unistrut (it bolted to the factory roof rails though). If the unistrut sits nicely where the factory rails would otherwise go, this is golden. Unistrut is infinitely expandable and with aluminum, it's more practical. Galvanized steel adds up in weight quickly. The only thing I will do differently (than Greg in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb344VLXpYU) is use hex head bolts using the factory holes instead of self tapping screws. Butyl tape sqaures under the unistrut for each area a bolt goes through the roof, then..., dicor 501LSW lap sealant on top of the hex head bolt (and around the butyl tape)? Also thinking the 13/16" version of unistrut (even more low profile) vs 1 5/8" but haven't looked if the 13/16" comes in aluminum.
 
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sparkplug

Well-known member
I saw a follow up interview somewhere where Greg said that he would have used the factory holes if he'd thought about it in time but he'd already installed all the ceiling cladding and insulation and cabinets etc and that he didn't want to take it all out again just for that.

I'm planning on putting some Unistrut on as it's very versatile so I'm interested in your suggestion for the butyl / dicor lap sealant combo. Sounds like a good solution to me.
 

MartyGras

New member
I just installed 80/20 on mine using the factory holes and 3m 5200....it was an easy project and looks good..... next I will be installing 4 160 watt solar panels

Gary
 

00frux

New member
@MartyGras if you have any pics please share! Did you use any Butly tape or just the 3M Marine Adhesive 5200 under the 80/20, then bolts into the factory holes?

@Sparkplug, yes, they're extremely versatile. Just like 80/20. So versatile I might run them down the entire length of the fan for any future ideas. I think 80/20 is the new Unistrut, I'm just not familiar with it or pros/cons between the two. If I went with aluminum unistrut I'd likely powder coat them arctic white or whatever color the van is. Can you powder coat 80/20?
 

00frux

New member
Upon searching for aluminum channel struts, it seems they are not as common as galvanized steel. How long does galvanized steel last in the elements? It would be nice if they made aluminum fittings in addition to the struts; seems like everything is steel which makes me worry about rust. I plan on powder coating the aluminum channel strut white or black, but the fittings? (https://www.homedepot.com/s/channel%20strut?NCNI-5)
 

sparkplug

Well-known member
Most zebedee nuts (aka spring nuts) are zinc plated steel and will be fine outdoors in many conditions.

However, if you live near the sea or are going to expose them to anything resembling a marine environment then you should source some stainless steel ones.

I've also been looking into the unistrut itself. I like the light gauge 1.5mm option as it's strong enough to hold anything I'm going to attach to it and will be a weight saving over the standard 2mm or heavy gauge 2.5mm.

However, I have only been able to find the 1.5mm in a pre-galvanised option which is not really suitable for outdoors. For outdoor use your really want the HDG (Hot Dipped Galvanised) but I can only find that in the heaviest 2.5mm thickness.

There is also the option for stainless rails, but I can't really justify the extra cost.

HDG steel should last a very long time outdoors. You can also paint it for extra protection if you want. There are specialised paints for this such as Hammerite's "straight to galvanised" range.

80/20 would be the obvious alternative. Light weight, strong, versatile but you also have to consider the possibility of galvanic corrosion as aluminium and stainless steel would be prone to this.

It wouldn't be an issue with the HDG rails and stainless fasteners though.

So many things to consider....
 
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00frux

New member
So many things to consider....
Tell me about it! One idea leads you 5-10 steps back. Oh I'll just install this Espar S2 D2 and MaxxAir fan. Oh wait, don't want to install that to the starter battery, I should connect them to house batts first. Oh wait, no electrical yet. Oh wait, no solar yet. Oh wait, no roof rack yet. Oh wait, no roof rails yet. Oh wait.... I will admit it is all still fun though! Just...

So many things to consider....

:cheers:
 

MartyGras

New member
@MartyGras if you have any pics please share! Did you use any Butly tape or just the 3M Marine Adhesive 5200 under the 80/20, then bolts into the factory holes?

@Sparkplug, yes, they're extremely versatile. Just like 80/20. So versatile I might run them down the entire length of the fan for any future ideas. I think 80/20 is the new Unistrut, I'm just not familiar with it or pros/cons between the two. If I went with aluminum unistrut I'd likely powder coat them arctic white or whatever color the van is. Can you powder coat 80/20?
I used the factory holes with a liberal amount of 5200 around each hole. I slid 5/16 x 1 inch carriage bolts onto the 80/20 and set it down. From the bottom in used a washer and a nut.
Nuts, bolts and washers were all stainless.... the whole job took less than 2 hours, if I had to do it again I could probably do in an hour.
 
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G

Gsand31415

Guest
For a fairly long rail, wouldn't the thermal expansion of aluminum be a problem when continuously bonded to the steel roof? The thermal expansion of aluminum is nearly 2x steel.
 

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