In this video, I want to share what roof bars I’ve been using on the van, and how to stop the roof bars from leaking by sealing the bolts into the mounting screw threads on the van roof.
🔔 Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel, thanks! 🔔
🔥 Entire van conversion playlist: bit.ly/2ZewxLt
📸 Instagram: / yogi.the.van
🚐 Check out my van blog: thetinycampervan.com
☕ Support the channel: www.buymeacoffee.com/LensOfJames 🙏🏻
🎶 Sign-up to Uppbeat through my affiliate link here: uppbeat.io/?as=lensofjames
🔗 Affiliate links that help support this channel:
👉 Thule Wingbar Evo 2 Pack 127: amzn.to/3ZaACZO
👉 Thule Rapid System 753 Foot Pack: amzn.to/40vzdOE
👉 Thule Roof Rack 3085 Fitting Kit: amzn.to/42w2afb
👉 PTFE tape: amzn.to/3FFVukL
👉 Loctite thread locker: amzn.to/3JYLeH6
---
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - What Roof Bars I Have
3:20 - Stopping the leaks
The NV200 has 3 sets of M8x1.25 screw thread mounts in the roof, so you can fit up to 3 roof bars up there. Whilst this creates a very secure way to mount roof bars, it does create the possibility of water ingress.
Out of the factory, the mounting points in the NV200 ceiling are filled with small plastic screw-in plugs, each with a foam ring, which are meant to prevent leaks & a cross on the top with which to screw them in. However, over time these plugs perish to the point that dirt and water easily creep under the plugs.
I was putting 2 roof bars on, so what about the remaining 2 holes? With the 2 plugs completely unable to keep water out of the van, I took the plunge & epoxied them into their holes.
Circling back to the topic of this video...the roof bars I've chosen are Thule ones, made up of: The 3085 fixpoint kit - an L-shaped plate with a sturdy rubber foot that bolts directly into the roof. The 753 feet set - screws into the fixpoint kit from the back and a lockable cover is inserted over the front to prevent access to the screws. The 969 wing bars (now superseded with the Evo 127 bars) - they tighten onto the feet to create a set of sturdy roof bars. They're very quiet, low profile and they look great - but have let water in on a couple of occasions & unfortunately it wasn’t just a case of tightening the feet to the roof more.
I should say at this point that the measures I'm taking on my roof bars are most definitely a DIY method to try and prevent leaks & isn’t tried and tested or backed up with any evidence, but I’ll be sure to share how I get on. Also, I keep my roof bars on the van roof permanently & so my method of waterproofing is aimed at a permanent fix.
Places water could get in:
1. The seal can fail around the base of the foot.
2. Water can get in from the top of the feet, where the metal meets the rubber.
3. There is a gap in the back of the foot which will allow water in.
My initial thought was to seal every possible place water could get in - coat the inside the rubber foot, the bolt & around the base of the foot with a weatherproof silicone sealant, but the last thing I wanted was to allow water to pool inside the roof bar feet.
So I ended up with the fairly simple solution of sealing the bolt into the screw threads, therefore allowing water to come and go, as it inevitably will. I looked into silicone sealant, pipe sealant, PTFE tape and liquid PTFE but settled on Loctite threadlocker to coat the bolt. This will seal the bolt thread, is resistant to water and heat, protects against corrosion, will lock the bolts in place and will withstand vibrations (important for vehicles). If the roof bars need to be removed in the future then they can be.
Due to the design of the roof bars, water is always going to get into and through the feet, but as long as the thread is sealed and prevents water from trickling into the van, then the water will come and go without causing any problems to the inside of the van.
I first took the roof bars off the roof -as I did so there was water coming out from under some of the feet, which confirmed my decision to seal the roof bars. I noticed a bit of dirt and light rust in the screw threads in the van roof, so I cleaned them out as best as possible.
With everything clean and dry, I pushed the bolts back into the feet and applied some threadlocker to their threads, turning the bolt and using the nozzle to spread it around evenly. I then gently eased the bars into place, alternating between both sides as I tightened, until they were both firmly attached. I did the same for the second roof bar and could let the thread locker dry.
🔔 Thanks for watching and if you’ve enjoyed this video, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! 🔔
#Vanlife #NissanNV200 #LensOfJames
DISCLAIMER: In this video, I am in no way stating that this is the proper way to undertake the conversion of a van, however after research and experience using the van, I believe this to be the way that is best suited to my van and the way I intend to use it.