Roof racks for various vehicle models
Discover all roof racksExRoof
The ExRoof is our newest roof rack. It is made of aluminum and is characterized by high rigidity and versatility. The ExRoof sits very close to the car roof and therefore causes hardly any wind noise. With us you will also find lots of practical accessories such as a GoPro holder, a charging roll, sand tray holders and much more.
Navis
Classic design meets high resilience. The Navis roof rack is both elegant and highly durable thanks to its round tube design. The airline mounts ensure a high level of flexibility. No matter whether it's a camping adventure or a construction site - every load can be securely secured.
Roof rack Suzuki Jimny FJ / GJ
We also offer the El Portador roof rack for the Suzuki Jimny, as well as an aluminum roof rack developed specifically for the Jimny FJ. Both roof racks impress with their robust workmanship and good price-performance ratio.
Popular roof rack accessories
General information about roof racks
Can you mount a roof rack on any car?
In principle, a roof rack can be mounted on most cars, but there are certain requirements that must be met. This includes the right roof rack bracket that can be attached to your vehicle. It is important to make sure that your car has the necessary attachment points or that appropriate adapters are available before purchasing a roof rack .
What types of roof racks are there?
There are different types of roof racks that can be used depending on the intended use and vehicle type. The two most common are cross bars or roof rack platforms. Cross bars provide a stable base for transporting a variety of loads on the roof, and are particularly popular for transporting bicycles, skis, snowboards and kayaks or for attaching roof boxes. Roof rack platforms, on the other hand, offer a large, flat surface on the vehicle roof. They are ideal for transporting bulky items such as luggage, canisters or sand boards. They are particularly popular in off-road and overlanding contexts because they are robust and versatile for safely storing equipment for long, demanding journeys.
horntools only offers roof rack platforms.
Advantages and disadvantages of cross members
Advantages
✅ Cost-effective to purchase
✅ Light weight and handling
✅ Easy installation
✅ Practical solution for roof boxes, bike racks or other sports equipment
Disadvantages
❎ Less storage space
❎ Less stability than platform roof racks
❎ Some accessories may require additional brackets or mounting systems to be securely attached to the crossbar roof bars.
❎ Not so aerodynamic: increased air resistance and therefore higher fuel consumption
Advantages and disadvantages of platform roof racks
Advantages
✅ Stable base as weight is distributed across the entire platform on the vehicle roof
✅ Versatile: numerous things can be transported
✅ The flat platform provides aerodynamic properties
✅ Lots of space for fastening
Disadvantages
❎ Higher purchase price
❎ Increased weight due to robust construction
How do I find the right roof rack?
To find the right roof rack for your vehicle , you should consider a few important factors:
- Vehicle type: Check which roof racks are suitable for your specific vehicle model. Different cars have different mounting points and roof shapes that will influence the choice of rack.
- Intended use: Determine what you want to use the roof rack for. Do you need it to transport luggage, bicycles, a roof tent or for off-road adventures ? Particularly robust roof rack platforms are suitable for special uses such as overlanding .
- Weight and size of the load: Pay attention to how much weight the roof rack can carry and how big it needs to be to safely transport your equipment.
- Accessory Compatibility: Make sure the roof rack is compatible with the accessories you plan to use, such as sand boards, canister mounts or off-road accessories .
Which roof racks fit my car?
To determine which roof rack will fit your car, you need to know the specific dimensions and requirements of your vehicle. Determine the exact model and year of your vehicle, as roof racks are often specifically designed for certain models and years, such as our ExRoof models. Also pay attention to the shape of your vehicle's roof. Whether your car has a flat roof, rail system, fixed mounting points or roof rails influences the choice of the right roof rack.
The horntools roof rack
Which roof racks does horntools offer?
Horntools offers three different roof rack models. These are exclusively platform roof racks:
- ExRoof: The ExRoof roof rack is our newest roof rack. It is made of aluminum and is characterized by high rigidity and versatility. The horntools Exroof roof rack is currently available for the following vehicle models: Mitsubishi L200, Suzuki Jimny GJ/HJ, Ford Ranger 2016 - 2022, Ford Ranger Raptor (from 2023), Volkswagen Amarok (2010 to 2020), VW Amarok (from 2023), Isuzu D-Max from 2021 Double Cab, Peugeot Expert L2, Citroen Jumpy L2, Opel Vivaro L2, Toyota Proace L2, VW Multivan T5/ T6 - each in L1 and L2.
- Navis: The Navis roof rack is both elegant and highly resilient thanks to its round tube design. The Navis roof rack is available for the following vehicle models: Suzuki Jimny GJ / HJ, Volkswagen Amarok (model year 2011 - 2020), Ford Ranger (model year 2016 - 2022 T7), Isuzu D-Max (2012-2020), Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara (model year 2015 - 2020)
- ElPortador: This roof rack was specially developed for the Jimny GJ/HJ.
Note: We only have vehicle-specific roof racks in our range, as these are usually mounted on the original attachment points in the roof of the vehicle. Therefore, no drilling is necessary. In certain cases, clamping systems are used which are attached to the roof gutter. The roof rails of vehicles are not used for mounting in the current roof rack portfolio. Unfortunately, no roof rack can be attached without the original attachment points.
Size and weight of the roof rack
How big can a roof rack be?
The size of a roof rack depends on the roof area of your vehicle. It should be dimensioned so that it can be securely attached to your car and does not exceed the permissible roof load. Also pay attention to the legal regulations regarding the vehicle width and height.
How much weight can be carried on a roof rack?
The maximum load of a roof rack is specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle and the rack. For off-road vehicles, higher loads are often possible, but always make sure that the total weight including the carrier.
The maximum load of the platform roof racks from horntools depends on several factors. Here, too, the dynamic and static roof load must be taken into account. Also pay attention to the weight of the roof rack platform in order to adjust the static roof load accordingly. The general load capacity of the roof racks can be found in the respective product description.
The maximum permissible roof load can usually be found in the car manual or can be requested directly from the manufacturer.
What is static vs. dynamic roof load?
The roof load that the vehicle manufacturer refers to in the manual is the dynamic roof load. This is the permitted load that you are allowed to carry on the roof of your vehicle while driving. For example, if you have specified a roof load of 80 kg for your vehicle, your roof rack + load may weigh a maximum of 80 kg.
The static roof load, on the other hand, indicates how much roof load is permissible when the vehicle is stationary. This is usually 3 to 4 times the dynamic roof load.
Installation of the roof rack
Can I attach the roof rack myself or do I have to go to a workshop? How do I install a roof rack and what do I need for it?
The installation of the roof rack involves different steps depending on the model. In any case, the roof rack must first be assembled in its form and attached to the roof of the vehicle. The installation instructions and the drawings for roof racks and roof rack feet from horntools can be found in the "FAQ and Download" section on the respective product page .
Note: After installation, be sure to take a test drive and check whether the installation of the horntools component has caused any unwanted noises or changed the driving behavior in any other way.
Transport with the roof rack and suitable accessories
What can I transport on a roof rack platform?
You can transport a variety of items on a roof rack platform. Common loads include:
- Transport boxes and bags: Ideal for the safe transport of heavy or bulky luggage or transport bags such as the waterproof Expedition Bags from horntools.
- Roof tents: Perfect for overlanding trips as they can be mounted on the platform e.g. with the ExRoof quick release for roof tents.
- Off-road equipment: This includes sand trays, jerry cans, spare tires and other equipment needed for challenging off-road and terrain driving.
- Tools and equipment: To be prepared for emergencies.
What roof rack accessories does horntools offer?
In addition to roof racks, we also offer a wide range of accessories to make the most of the additional space on the vehicle roof. These include transport boxes, quick-release fasteners for roof tents, various Quick Fist holders for tools, tensioning belts, brackets and a rear ladder. Click here for roof rack accessories.