[dpmohr]

Anyone using roof racks on a S60? We have an 850 now and am considering buying a S60 (when the awd version becomes available). We do a lot of camping and canoeing/kayaking in the summer and would like to be able to put bikes/boats and/or a car top carrier on when needed. With the slope of the roof I wasn't sure how well racks would work. Wouldn't keep them on all the time -- just for weekend trips and vacations. Thanks in advance.

 

[Freeworld]

The S60 appears to have an integrated anchor to hold a factory roof rack. I found no other good anchor points on the car for other types of racks. I currently have a Yakima rack system, and Yakima does not yet make a clip for the S60. From what I can see, unless they model something to grab the integrated anchor, there is nothing to hold a standard style clip. When I inquired, they said they were working on it (whatever that means). When I get my car (at the factory), I'll see what type of rack they have, at what cost, an whether my Yakima attachments can be made to fit on it.

 

[ema_s60]

I'm currently using the Volvo rack with my S60. Since the Volvo rack is made by Thule, I just reused the Thule components from my last car.<P>The S60 comes with clips mounted in the roof already. When you purchase the Volvo load bars, just hook the feet into the clips and you are good to go. It takes about 5 minutes and is the easiest roof rack install I have ever done (compared with my last three cars.)<P>Here is a pic of my S60 with the rack installed. It's not a close-up--I'll take some more in the morning and post.<P> <IMG SRC="http://home.earthlink.net/~euma/images/Bullwinkle_Side.jpg"> <P>Let me know if you have any questions.<P>Thanks,<BR>-Eugene<P>

 

[maddenm]

Do you remember how much the rack costs?<P>

 

[darell]

I'm sure this rack is the same system as on the 2001 V70. I have the factory Thule rack on my car too, and it's the best thing going. Cost from the dealer is about $150. Just about every Yakima product can be made to fit it, since Yakima offers a square-bar snap around that works perfectly on these. I too, have many Yakima accessories that I now use on my factory Volvo (Thule) rack.<P>This is a product that is not to be missed.<P>- Darell<P>

 

[dpmohr]

Thanks for the helpful information. I'm glad to hear that racks can be used successfully with this car. I rented a S60 last weekend to make sure there was enough room in the back for my two kids. There was and now I am waiting to see how much Volvo is going to want for the S60R.

 

[ema_s60]

The rack runs about $90-130, depending on where you purchase it from. Based on my experience, I've found that if you do not own the accessories, it is actually cheaper to go with the Volvo ones.<P>If I remember correctly, the Volvo fork mount bike carrier was about $70. Thule charges $95 for a similar unit.<P>-ema<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by maddenm:<BR><B>Do you remember how much the rack costs?<P></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>

 

[ema_s60]

Here's a picture of an S60 with the Volvo load bars and Thule fork-mount carriers.<P> <IMG SRC="http://home.earthlink.net/~euma/images/s60_bike.jpg">

 

[darell]

Emma -<P>Sweet. You even got the locks on the racks.<P>Here's what the same system looks like on the V70 with a Yakima Rocket Box:<P> <IMG SRC="http://darelldd.com/misc/box.jpg"> <P>and here's a good shot of the rack tower detail<P> <IMG SRC="http://darelldd.com/misc/rackdetail.jpg"> <P>- Darell

 

[darell]

And one more little secret I'll share: If you REALLY want your Yakima accessories to fit the factory load bars, just build your own Thule tower/Yakima round bar combo rack:<P> <IMG SRC="http://darelldd.com/misc/smallyakrack.jpg"> <P>I did this because I needed more length to fit two kayaks side-by-side, and I had some Yakima bars sitting around the garage.<P>- Darell<P>

 

[dpmohr]

How do you find carrying kayaks or a canoe on the S60 racks? The racks look very close together, which would be fine for a bike, but I wonder how stable a canoe or kayak would be. Thanks to everyone for the advice and pictures.

 

[darell]

By the looks of the pictures here, I would guess that the rack spread for the S60 is similar to that on the V70 (about 32"). If you have proper mounts (gunwale brackets or Mako saddles), this is fine for carrying just about any length of small boat.<P>- Darell

 

[dpmohr]

Thanks to everyone for the information you have provided.

 

[S.R.]

ema_s60,<P>Those are some nice pictures of your S60 with the roof rack! Looks like you are part of the Cannondale/Volvo team. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/wink.gif"><P>-Drew

 

[Freeworld]

ema_s60,<BR>I can't quite tell from your photos, but does the rack only attach at the roof clips, or is there also a rubber foot (like a standard Yakima/Thule rack) that sits on the roof paint?<P>Thanks.

 

[darell]

Freeworld -<P>Don't want to step on ema's toes here, but the rack sits in the groove that runs the lenght of the roof. Nothing touches the exposed painted surface like with a standard, generic rack.<P>Just like this:<BR> <IMG SRC="http://darelldd.com/misc/rackdetail.jpg"> <P>The big, black elephant feet are just covers, and don't touch the paint at all (the hover about 1/8" off the surface.<P>- Darell<p>[This message has been edited by darell (edited 05-22-2001).]

 

[Freeworld]

Thanks Darell.<BR>The S70 rack you have looks more like a tower and bar setup, whereas the S60 is one integrated/molded piece. On that account, I don't think I can retrofit my Yakima round bars like you did. I'll take a look at the dealer, and if all goes well buy some square clips from Yakima for all my attachments.

 

[Freeworld]

Darell-<BR>One more (maybe stupid?) question. With the square bars, the tops have to lie in the same plane for any rigid attachment that bridges them to sit flush. (With round bars this is never an issue). Is there any problem here with the roof of the car being sloped so much? (This is why I probably bought into the Yakima system so long ago over the Thule one...)

 

[ema_s60]

Freeworld--<P>As Darell mentioned, the racks sit on a groove mounted within the roof. Unlike the standard Thule or Yakima systems, no rubber feet ever touch the paint. I cannot overstate what a wonderful job Volvo did integrating these racks into the car.<P>The pictures of the V70 rack that Darell posted is exactly the same as how the S60 rack looks. My rack setup appears integrated because I have the cover hiding where the bar and feet come together. I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post.<P>As for rigid attachments sitting flush against square bars... I haven't had any problems with the Thule bike or ski carriers. Conversely, my friend's late model Toyota Corolla had trouble mounting the Thule bike carriers. Go figure!<P>-Eugene<p>[This message has been edited by ema_s60 (edited 05-22-2001).]

 

[Freeworld]

Thanks Eugene.