Instruction manual for short wheel base roof rack Sprinter, Crafter, Ducato & Master

Roof rack fitting instructions for Mercedes Sprinter panel van– VW Crafter panel van– Fiat Ducato panel van – Renault Master panel van

Thank you for purchasing one of our New Zealand-designed and manufactured products, and for supporting local business, rather than imported products. 

These instructions are for the short wheelbase roof rack only. Although the image is  generic of a long wheelbase

This pack should contain the following items:

• Kit includes the following:
• Right and Left-hand side rails 2355mm long
• 2 x sloping endcaps for the front, 260mm long
• 3 x 50mm x 50mm Heavy-duty cross rails 1300mm long
• 2 x Spoiler-shaped undercut rear end caps
• 1 x Stainless steel assembly hardware kit
• Weight 30kg
• Height from the roof: 120 mm
• Max weight capacity 200kg

Prep the roof of your van; make sure it is clean and free of any wax so the adhesives and sealants will adhere to the roof surface.

Choose your installation location and temporarily set up the side rails on the roof (without adhesives); do this on both sides. Bear in mind the notes below.

·       If it’s a Mercedes or VW panel van, measure between the inside of the gutters and then subtract 70mm to allow for the 35mm offset of the side rails on both sides, as in the image on the right

 

·       If it’s a Renault or Fiat panel van, choose the flat outside of the gutter and then subtract 70mm to allow for the 35mm offset of the side rails on both sides, as in the image on the right

Cut the front and the rear heavy-duty square tubes to the required length to fit between the two side rails. If you have purchased heavy-duty tubes for the entire rack, also cut the central tubes 

Turn the heavy-duty tubes so that the grooves in the bolt holes in the horizontal plane face downwards, as shown in the image.  

With a file around the top edge of the tubes so that they will fit neatly into the internal diameter of the upper bend in the side rail.

The reason you want the groves pointing down is so the tube is forced snugly up against the top of the side rail.

Now you can bolt the heavy-duty cross bars at the front and the back.

If you are planning to use the optional wall-mounted awning brackets to mount an awning on the roof rack, you need to fit the 2 heavy-duty rails approximately at the centre where the awning brackets will be fitted, so that the forces acting on the awning brackets are supported by the heavy-duty cross bar.

Now you can cut the lightweight tubes to the correct length to suit the width of the roof rack, as described earlier. Using the black pop rivets, attach the light tube to the side brackets.

Using the light tube attachment brackets, bolt the lightweight tubes into the desired location to suit your needs and the roof landscape, without interfering with the opening of roof hatches, solar panels, or satellite dishes.

Once you are happy with the location and layout of the roof rack on the roof, mark the location with a pencil, and with some help from a friend, lift the roof rack up and put some wooden blocks between the roof and the roof rack

Spread some Sika Flex or similar seal/adhesive along the entire surface where the roof rack will be attached. (Follow the supplier’s adhesive instructions for prepping the roof)

Lower the roof rack onto the sealant/adhesive, allowing any excess product to ooze out.

Using the tech screws provided screw the roof rack down to the roof through the holes provided at the bottoms of the side rails, you don’t need to use every hole in the bottom of the rails, just screw the 4 corners, eye up the side rails to see if they are nice and straight, and if required you can screw those locations that need to be held in a. straight line

When screwing the rails, make sure there is ample sealant around the screws, that the screws have drill bits at the ends, and that the metal filings from the drill head are coated in sealant. This protects them from corrosion, and we want ample sealant around any holes we drill.

Now bond the sloping endcaps at the front and rear undercut end caps to the side rails

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 Warranty

The roof rack has a one-year return-to-base warranty from the purchase date. Please check the product carefully before installation and contact us immediately if you find anything wrong. All products are thoroughly inspected before being packaged and dispatched.

 If you need any assistance, email tech@vantagerv.nz

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