Resources
Essential information for working with our products. See also our FAQ's.
Tech Tips
Perrycraft's Part Numbers Explained:
Perrycraft's Roof Racks, Roof Rails, Truck Bed Rails, and Grab Handles part numbers include the brand, sizing, and finish. Our products are also size specific, not vehicle specific. This means that the recommended part number for your vehicle can get mounted with no modifications. However, you can purchase a larger system and cut it down to meet your specifications.
Roof Rack widths go in 1" increments: 30, 31, 32, 33, etc.
Roof Rack and Roof Rail lengths go in 10" increments (Aventura - 38, 48, 58, etc.) (DynaSport - 35, 45, 55, etc.) (SportQuest - 40, 50, 60, etc.) (SporTrek - 39, 49, 59, etc.)
The Cross Bars of Roof Racks (except SportQuest) and the Rails (front to back) of Roof Racks and Roof Rail sets have a universal curve put in during the manufacturing process. If you plan to cut down the Rails or Cross Bars, cut half the distance off each end. If you need to cut 2" off, cut 1" off each end. This will maintain the curvature.
Roof Racks
Perrycraft's part numbers denote the brand, rack width, rack length, and finish. For example, AV3648-B means Aventura brand, 36" wide, 48" long, Black powder coated roof rack. The sizing means it is the rack when it is fully put together. Each rack comes complete with two rails, two cross bars, and hardware for mounting to a sheet metal roof.
Roof Rail Sets
Perrycraft's roof rail sets will have two X's in the part number, denoting the absence of cross bars. For example, DSXX65-A means DynaSport brand, 65" long, bright Anodized roof rail set. The sizing means it is the rails when it is fully put together. Each rail set comes complete with two rails, and hardware for mounting to a sheet metal roof.
Truck Bed Rail Sets
Perrycraft's truck bed rail sets part numbers denote the brand, rail length, and finish. For example, LPS69B means LPS brand, 69" long, Black powder coated bed rail set. Each rail set comes complete with two rails and hardware for mounting through the sheet metal or toggle bolting to stake hole pockets.
Grab Handles
Perrycraft's Grab Handles part numbers denote the product, style, handle length, and finish. For example, GH-S12-S means Grab Handle, Sport style, 12" long, Stainless Steel. Each Grab Handle set comes complete with two handles and hardware for mounting to sheet metal.
Vehicle Application Guides:
Important Note: Roof Rack & Roof Rail Applications shown do not include vehicles with sunroofs or glass panels. However, see below for potential options.
Use the Year/Make/Model search at the top of the page for finding available products for your Car, Crossover/SUV, Truck, or Van!
Printable Application Guide - A PDF document of our most recent application guide.
Product Installation Instructions
Go to our Installation Instruction Sheets to view or download installation instructions for any Perrycraft and Mont Blanc product.
Don't have a reader for PDF files? Download one here: Free Adobe Reader or Free Foxit Reader
We're here to help, so please contact [email protected] or call 336-372-2545 with any questions.
Tech Tips
Size & Style of Roof Rack Needed
If you are looking for a roof rack and you have a bare roof, first determine the rack best suited for the intended use. You need to answer two basic questions:
- What do you want to carry and how much load capacity do you need?
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- Is the rack primarily for looks?
- If #2, use the Part Number recommended in the Year/Make/Model lookup. Looks can override function if the rack's intended use is only for looks.
If you plan to use your Perrycraft rack, below are some some quick points. More information can be found on the Product pages.
- DynaSport™ and SporTrek™ provide a 75-pound load rating (evenly distributed on the crossbar assemblies).
- Aventura racks are rated at 110-pounds (evenly distributed).
- Aventura, DynaSport, and SporTrek all use similar, oval, factory looking crossbars.
- SportQuest™ is rated at 180-pounds load (evenly distributed).
- SportQuest's cross bars are roughly square (7/8" tall x 1-1/8" wide) and straight and provide a solid load platform for attaching accessories (bikes, kayaks, skis) and/or long, bulky items like ladders, lumber, etc.
The load rating of the roof rack must always outweigh styling, unit cost, etc.
Once these questions are answered, refer to the Year/Make/Model Lookup to determine the size rack recommended for a specific vehicle. However, if a heavy load capacity is required, refer to the SportQuest™ column in the Guide, which shows the minimum recommended size for that vehicle.
Another option for heavy loads is the combined use of our Roof Racks and/or Roof Rails with our SportQuest Clamp On Load Bars (180lb rating) or Mont Blanc Load Bars (220lb rating).
If longer side rails (tracks) and/or a wider load platform is desired, take a measurement, then check our Jobber Price List or call 800-777-7081 to find out if either may be applicable.
OEM (Factory) Rack Installation Positioning vs. Aftermarket Rack Installation Positioning
More and more factory racks are being installed over the body seams (weld joint), which run front-to-rear on either side of the vehicle’s roof top. In most cases, the body seam has a vinyl or plastic "filler strip" glued or screwed into the body seam. Unfortunately, our aftermarket racks cannot be installed in these areas.
Perrycraft's racks are designed and manufactured to be installed on the flat sheet metal, just inboard of the body seams.
If these body seams do not run parallel (front is wider than the rear), the recommended rack size will reflect the smaller of these measurements. This is so the rack can sit parallel on the roof and the cross bars can be moved along the rails. Below are some options for non-parallel body seams.
Non-Parallel Body Seams; What To Do
A growing number of vehicle roof panels are no longer a good "rectangle", meaning they taper in width from front to back. This presents a challenge when trying to install a Perrycraft Roof Rack. Vehicles listed in our lookup and Application Guide The distance between the body seams may increase toward the front of the vehicle’s roof panel. The major challenge presented by this configuration is in instances of the vehicle having a factory "moon roof" (see next topic).
Alternatives to the conventional roof rack installation, where the side rails or tracks do not run parallel to each other, are:
- Install a rack appropriate to the width of the body seam at the front (contact us for measurement locations and options), cutting the rear crossbar to obtain the appropriate width for fitment at the rear [Note: this limits functionality with regard to front-to-rear crossbar adjustability]
(b) Our Aventura Roof Rack is adaptable to non-parallel roof seams using "slip-joint" crossbar connectors to provide up to 1 inch of "floating" adjustment in rack width, enabling side-rails to be installed in a non-parallel orientation while maintaining adjustable positioning of crossbars.
(c) installing our DynaSport™ Roof Rails in conjunction with our Mont Blanc™ Locking Load Bars. This combination allows the necessary side-to-side spacing of the Roof Rails to align with the "tapering" of the body seams while permitting full front-to-rear positioning of the Mont Blanc™ Load Bars. Couple that with a 220-pound load capacity, and you’ve got a winning combination!
Vehicles With Sunroofs/"Moon roofs"
Factory-installed and aftermarket "Moon roofs" (drop-down, internal slider): One of the most common issues that arises is determining how and where to install a roof rack on a vehicle with a factory "moon roof". There is one basic guideline that should be followed very closely: As a general "rule of thumb", the screws attaching the side rails or tracks of the roof rack should be a minimum of 1½" outside the moon roof's glass panel opening on both sides. In essence, the dimension between the fasteners, in one roof rail over to the other rail should be a minimum of 3 inches wider than the sun roof opening width. In 99% of the cases, this will avoid any interference with the glass panel’s drive mechanism.
Keep in mind you can install a rack with side rails extending alongside the glass panel, without negatively impacting the moon roof or roof rack operation using the above stated dimensional criteria.
In some cases, there isn’t adequate room between the glass panel and the "body seam" running front-to-rear on the vehicle roof. In these instances, open the moon roof fully to the rear and check the clearance between the glass panel and the inside of the roof panel at the approximate mounting point nearest the moon roof opening, and insure there is a minimum of ¾" clearance. Important Note: We do not recommend this type of installation, and you are assuming the risk!
Aftermarket "Spoiler (tilt & slide)" or "Pop-Up" Sunroofs
The guidelines for installation with a moon roof do not apply since there is no interfering mechanical operating mechanism involved with these type sunroofs. Simply order a size rack that will fit at any spacing between the outside of the sunroof frame and the outer rib or body seam (where applicable).
Extreme Front-to-Rear Roof Contours
Before assembly of any Perrycraft Roof Rack, we recommend that you position the side rails or tracks on the vehicle roof at the approximate installation point and check the curvature of the rail or track relative to the curvature of the vehicle roof. If, when one end meets the roof panel and the other end is ½" or more off the roof panel, modification of the curvature in the side rail or track may be necessary. With Perrycraft Roof Racks, this is easily accomplished by turning the side rail or track upside down, supporting the ends between two saw horses, tables, wooden blocks, etc, and applying moderate pressure to "flex" the side rail or track. You can increase the curvature in order to conform to the roof panel configuration.This operation is displayed and explained in detail on our product Installation Instructions.
Tech Tips for Truck Bed Rails Applications & Installations
LPS Slotted Rails Fitment on Truck Beds with Tool Box
We also receive numerous requests for our LPS Slotted Rails on truck beds with a tool box installed. First, check to see if the LPS54A (54" length) will work for your application. If not, the longer LPS Rails can be square-cut on one end to fit these applications, using the chart below to determine appropriate Part # to order/purchase:
LPS Slotted Rails
Precut Lengths Available
(One end slanted, other end "blunt")
|
Base Width |
Part #: | Cut Length Ranges Available Inches |
| 2" | LPS72A | 41-44, 54-57, 67-68 |
| 2" | LPS69A | 46-51, 60-61 |
| 2" | LPS76A | 43-47, 57-61, 71-72 |
| 2" | LPS96A | 46-50, 60-64, 74-78, 88-89 |
Be sure that the 2" base width fits the top of the bed rail. Also keep in mind the cut edge will not be anodized, but since LPS rails are constructed of aluminum, rust is not a concern.
