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General Fiat 500 Sunroof/Roofbox issue!!! please help!!

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General Fiat 500 Sunroof/Roofbox issue!!! please help!!

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PhilCool

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I know we've all heard of the issues surrounding glass roofs & sunroofs and not using roof bars but is there anyone out there who has taken the plunge and stuck some on their car with success.

A few web pages are saying that their set up's fit 500's with a glass roof but others are saying no!!

I have a 500 By Diesel (Mario) which i adore so woun't want to damage it in any way but frustrated that in July 3 of us are camping and need the extra space a roof box would supply!!

Please Help fellow 500 lovers!!
 
PhilCool said:
I know we've all heard of the issues surrounding glass roofs & sunroofs and not using roof bars but is there anyone out there who has taken the plunge and stuck some on their car with success.

A few web pages are saying that their set up's fit 500's with a glass roof but others are saying no!!

I have a 500 By Diesel (Mario) which i adore so woun't want to damage it in any way but frustrated that in July 3 of us are camping and need the extra space a roof box would supply!!

Please Help fellow 500 lovers!!
Click to expand...

I've not found any roof bars which can genuinely fit the 500 with glass roof. However, You may like to consider fitting a tow bar, which are available from the usual sources - I had mine fitted by Indespension for £250. To this you could either add a small trailer, or fit one of these: http://www2.thule.com/Thule/ProductDetailPage____83207.aspx

which are available from these people (note the storage boxes and bags which can be added too:
http://www.towequipe.co.uk/products...se-towbar-mounted-carrier-949-free-pandp.html

Bear in mind the weight of the accessories though - from memory the maximum noseweight on a 500 towbar (and therefore the maximum weight you should put on it with these racks and bags) is 60kg

This may be rather expensive, but it should get around the problem.
 
Zakt said:
I've not found any roof bars which can genuinely fit the 500 with glass roof. However, You may like to consider fitting a tow bar, which are available from the usual sources - I had mine fitted by Indespension for £250. To this you could either add a small trailer, or fit one of these: http://www2.thule.com/Thule/ProductDetailPage____83207.aspx

which are available from these people (note the storage boxes and bags which can be added too:
http://www.towequipe.co.uk/products...se-towbar-mounted-carrier-949-free-pandp.html

Bear in mind the weight of the accessories though - from memory the maximum noseweight on a 500 towbar (and therefore the maximum weight you should put on it with these racks and bags) is 60kg

This may be rather expensive, but it should get around the problem.
Click to expand...
Good post (y) I know I criticise you sometimes but that was a good post (y)
 
Or:

take less stuff and have a minimal old fashioned camping holiday.

Or:

hire another car between you just for the holiday.

This way you save damaging your pride and joy with bars and towing brackets and you can carry all the stuff you want.
 
Ulpian said:
Or:

take less stuff and have a minimal old fashioned camping holiday.

Or:

hire another car between you just for the holiday.

This way you save damaging your pride and joy with bars and towing brackets and you can carry all the stuff you want.
Click to expand...
OR

Just stay in a hotel and don't camp :p
 
PhilCool said:
I know we've all heard of the issues surrounding glass roofs & sunroofs and not using roof bars but is there anyone out there who has taken the plunge and stuck some on their car with success.

A few web pages are saying that their set up's fit 500's with a glass roof but others are saying no!!

I have a 500 By Diesel (Mario) which i adore so woun't want to damage it in any way but frustrated that in July 3 of us are camping and need the extra space a roof box would supply!!

Please Help fellow 500 lovers!!
Click to expand...

DITTO DITTO DITTO

I can't believe that a solution hasn't been found yet - there must be thousands of Lounge models about now. I need one urgently to carry a lightweight ladder for my business.
 
But was the 500 intended to be a work car? It's a cool little fashion statement/run around.

The Sport, with the solid roof, would be a better choice if carrying stuff on the roof was the intention, or better still, a van type thing with roof rails as standard or as accessories.

Horses for courses, surely?
 
I called into my nearest Halfords and the guy said that Thule had advised him not to sell them when there's a glass roof, not because of weight on the glass but because the weight pushes the roof apart and the glass is at risk of becoming loose or popping out.

apparently there isn't any weight on the glass!.

gonna call Fiat customer services today to see if this applies when an optional sunroof is fitted.
 
Ulpian said:
But was the 500 intended to be a work car? It's a cool little fashion statement/run around.

The Sport, with the solid roof, would be a better choice if carrying stuff on the roof was the intention, or better still, a van type thing with roof rails as standard or as accessories.

Horses for courses, surely?
Click to expand...

I hear what you are saying (y) but I've been using my 500 for both purposes for two years now. I get all my high reach window cleaning gear in, complete with carbon fibre poles that extend to over 30ft. The kit also includes a water trolley and a supply of pure water. All kept in place with industrial strength straps and fitted in a custom made marine-ply liner that fits in the back of the 500 with rear seats folded. Only takes 5 mins to convert it back to my 'cool little fashion statement' ready to take the missus out. My 500 is still like new despite being doubled up as my work vehicle on a daily basis (funds don't allow me to afford a van too).

I didn't know about the problem of roof bars with glass roofs when I bought it :mad:.

The weight of the special alluminium conservatory ladder is very light but too big to fit inside. I'm thinking that providing I only carry a light weight the Thule bars might be ok - but the jury is still out on that one.
 
All that stuff in one small car: amazing.
The window people who come here with that kit use enormous vans: what's in them I wonder? Actually the regular window cleaner now uses a Doblo, which is funny really because before he had a Mondeo estate.

Good luck finding a safe system anyway.
 
Ulpian said:
All that stuff in one small car: amazing.
The window people who come here with that kit use enormous vans: what's in them I wonder? Actually the regular window cleaner now uses a Doblo, which is funny really because before he had a Mondeo estate.

Good luck finding a safe system anyway.
Click to expand...

Cheers Ulpian :)

The only real difference between me working from my 500 and the guys in the vans is the volume of water they can carry. The rest of my gear is the same. As most of my rounds are local it's no real problem calling back to base to top up - gives me chance to have a break and a pee too :D.

I will post a picture of my set up - some might find it interesting.
 
Still no answer with the age old glass roof/roof box issue although i'm still left wondering if this problem applies to a sunroof as a sunroof is on rails!!

Obviously i'm not gonna be able to open the roof but all info relates to fixed glass roofs!!

you views fellow 500 lovers!!
 
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