Roof rack Lada Kalina: types, selection and installation of the rack.

Those owners who are pursuing the goal of increasing the load-carrying capacity of their car are inclined to install roof rails on top of the Lada Kalina station wagon. This is a pretty good way to increase the load-bearing capacity of a car, especially when you travel, taking a lot of things and objects with you on the road, the main thing is to know how to install them.

After installing the roof rails, the appearance of the Lada Kalina station wagon changes, becoming more like a car with off-road potential. To install these accessories, it is not at all necessary to resort to the services of a service station. The procedure is quite feasible in independent mode. The latter method will help avoid additional costs when it is necessary to install roof rails.

Types of luggage racks

Since three bodies of the Lada Kalina have standard holes for attaching luggage accessories, this means that we can safely distinguish two designs:

Railings with add-on crossbars and accessories;
Cross members to factory installation locations.

Well, of course, there are also drivers who only have a universal trunk with a door arch mount. But they haven’t heard about the other models. This is a phenomenon of the owner of Lada Kalina. This means that a universal trunk for them exists and is called third on the list. But they need to keep in mind that the collapsible version of the universal luggage rack is equipped with a trapezoidal platform equidistant from the center of the support. Over-tightening the support bracket will result in strong pressure from the platform on the body. Since the Lada Kalina has a weak corner profile, a dent is possible. Trying to understand the issue is a bit like intimidation. But that's not true.

To date, AvtoVAZ has produced three different bodies:

Sedan.
Hatchback.
Station wagon.

The station wagon has an elongated flat roof, while the sedan and hatchback have a different length and radius. If we correlate the information with the roof rails, then the body type assumes a specific model of the arch. It won’t fit from a station wagon to a sedan, just like from a hatchback to a station wagon. The issue of crossbars is more acute. After all, there are three ways at once:

A simple stand in standard places. This is a tire made of one three-millimeter steel sheet with two holes for bolts, bent to fit the corner of the roof. At the end there is supposed to be a square hole for a square cross member, and it is known to have poor aerodynamics and whistle at speed.
Universal non-removable mount. Most have a short catch angle and a thrust pad standing almost next to the center of pressure. Everything would be fine, but then why would there be “original” mounting holes?
The third option is when the car is equipped with roof rails. All that remains is to find the cross members with transitional fasteners for the roof rails.

Station wagon Lada Kalina with roof rails

It’s worth resorting to statistics:

On average, a sedan is equipped with cross members on standard or universal racks. Car enthusiasts are not afraid of noise at speed and dented roofs.
The hatchback design has better roof rails. If a factory option is not declared, then car enthusiasts search and find a model. Then cross members with adapters are made. By the way, aerodynamic wing-shaped cross members will reduce air resistance from the double structure (rails plus cross members).
That's why the station wagon is named that way. It is equipped with rails, standard and universal accessories.

Cross members on the roof of a Lada Kalina station wagon

The owners, in their desire to help the AvtoVAZ concern, are groping for the right path, and the manufacturer reciprocates. We are talking about an optimal trunk with pre-installation of roof rails in their standard places. It is not for nothing that a set of longitudinal bars, if necessary, is ordered immediately from the factory. Some lucky motorists guess, buy roof rails, and then equip them with crossbars and accessories. They look more beautiful. But there are common excuses for those who do not agree with this state of affairs:

The car is getting taller.
The noise is louder.
Aerodynamics suffer.
The roof with roof rails is difficult to clean.
The paintwork is destroyed.
Expensive.

Roof rack with crossbars and mounts for transporting skis on the roof of Lada Kalina

Therefore, reasonable arguments are given:

One and a half meters plus 15 centimeters is 165 cm. The average height of a person is 175-180 cm. This is not high.
Wing-shaped cross members reduce noise.
Any equipment for railings can be quickly removed. Cross members too. Aerodynamics will return to their original values. And the roof rails themselves are already being developed to be aerodynamic.
The roof with roof rails can be washed easily both in a car wash and by hand.
The armored film will protect the paintwork.
Rails allow you to change luggage racks depending on the purpose. Adjusting the distance between the crossbars allows the driver to correctly position the load.

Luggage compartments of Lada Kalina

The interior of the Kalina station wagon is especially good because it can be transformed quite easily. Thanks to such simple manipulations, the car owner receives a luggage compartment with greater capacity. If we compare the station wagon with the Lada Kalina hatchback, we can say that the first option has a larger cargo compartment - with a capacity of 355 liters. It is generally designed in an interesting way. The peculiarity of the station wagon is that, despite its rather small size, the trunk volume is selected as competently as possible, almost optimally.

The trunk volume of the Kalina sedan is even larger. But the luggage compartment of the universal Kalinka has its own special, undeniable advantage: it consists in the ability to quickly fold the rear seats.

It is worth saying that this version of the AvtoVAZ model, like a sedan, entered development in 1993. And it was launched into series in 2000. Today, the dimensions of the car are such that its owner has the opportunity to move without problems on both city and rural roads. Moreover, the trunk volume of the sedan allows you to transport a wide variety of items. Also note that the length of the car is about 4 m.

How to choose the right car rack

All that remains is to choose the right trunk. To do this, you need to clarify the body type of the Lada Kalina and purchase the appropriate roof rails. Equipping with crossbars is a simple process:

If you need it cheaper, then a square section.
If it’s quieter, it’s wing-shaped.
Temporary trunk - removable crossbars with a locking mechanism.
Reinforced fastening - a cargo basket will do.
Protection from moisture and dust of personal belongings - plastic box.

Thule car box on the roof of Lada Kalina

Carefully studying the instructions for load capacity and further following them will prevent deformation of the trunk and roof.

Mounting type

Roof racks can be divided into 4 main groups, according to the type of installation:

Integrated roof rails. These are standard or independently installed longitudinal arches that do not have any clearance between the roof.
With clearance. The type of rack mounting directly depends on the amount of clearance between the roof and the arches.
Installation in standard places. In this case, the owner can only purchase roof rails designed specifically for his car (model) or universal (sliding).
Fastening to a doorway. This is a class of universal, transverse roof rails that provide for the installation of a roof rack on a straight roof, without drilling holes.

Installing a trunk on a car

A certified luggage device in an accessible configuration includes instructions with a detailed description of the manipulations.

Video on installing roof rails on Lada Kalina

But installing roof rails, like any equipment, requires care and consistency of actions:

It is necessary to release the standard mounting holes by bending the rubber inter-door seal from left to right.
If installing a fairing, mark the installation locations.
Use double-sided tape on the area subsequently occupied by the roof rails. The tape will serve as a spacer. Pre-degrease the working area using technical alcohol.
Installation of roof rails occurs by installing the rear bolts, and then the front ones.
It is necessary to return the seal to its place.
After installing the roof rails, a load test takes place. A good place to start is using force with your hands. This method must be used regularly during operation.

We act according to the instructions

The kit with metal roof rails intended for installation on the Kalina/Kalina-2 hatchback may contain M6 screws, as well as external plastic linings. The number of certain elements depends on the design of the railing. The manual supplied with the equipment lists the basic installation steps:

Before installation, it is necessary to remove the upper door seal, which prevents access to the mounting holes;
All fastening elements are initially covered with tape, which also needs to be removed;
Under the tape there are holes with M6 threads. Each rail is installed and secured with screws;
Finally, all decorative elements are mounted, then the mounting screws are finally tightened.

Each of these actions is illustrated in the photo:

If you act in accordance with the instructions, scratches may appear on the body covering - traces of the metal from which the roof rail is made. How to prevent these consequences will be discussed further.

Car roof rack safety

Transporting logs in the roof rack of Lada Kalina

There are certain rules for roof rack users. Transportation of goods must be accompanied by road safety. Situations of overload or exceeding dimensions are strictly suppressed and punished with fines.

The carrying capacity of the Lada Kalina on the roof is 50 kg with a maximum load length of 1.64 m.

Securing long cargo must meet safety requirements. The main condition is reliable fixation by the crossbars.
The center of gravity is located as close to the roof as possible. This applies to small-sized cargo. Moreover, the load is distributed on the roof rails as the mass increases, rather than on the middle of the roof.
The speed limit limits maneuvers. This rule should not be neglected.

Despite the undisguised irony regarding the Lada Kalina car, VAZ products are leaders in the market. Equipping your car with a roof rack will provide opportunities. The main thing is to use them correctly and not pay attention to unreliable and unverified information.

Rules for the carriage of goods

In order to correctly calculate the acceptable dimensions of luggage structures, you should know the maximum carrying capacity of the vehicle. Under no circumstances should you overload the trunk, because it also has its limit. Each model has its own dimensions, which are superimposed on the dimensions of the cargo being transported.

This point is very important, since, according to traffic rules, luggage can be wider than the structure by a maximum of 2.5 m, and longer - up to 2 m. In the case of transporting cargo that is more than 1 m in width and more than 0.5 m in width length overlaps the side lights, it should be remembered that special identification marks will be needed. There is a list of items prohibited for transportation.

Do not carry luggage that may obstruct your view or interfere with normal vehicle control. In addition, the sedan must have open license plates and lights. For flammable materials, such as gas cylinders or fuel cans, you will need to have a special permit to transport them.

Alas, modern drivers do not burden themselves with such trifles, which is why accidents have occurred on the roads more than once. Each load can be secured in a way that is convenient for the owner, the main thing is to remember the traffic rules. When transporting luggage, the driver needs to be vigilant and control it.

If the load falls and an accident occurs on the road, the driver himself will be held responsible. But you should know that if the accident occurred due to the fact that the latch on the trunk broke and the examination proved the dishonest quality of the product, then the manufacturer must bear all costs.

Why install roof rails?

How to install a railliner on Kalina? Let's start with the fact that car roof rails are longitudinal bars that are installed on the roof and are used for cargo transportation. The optimal weight of the load on the roof should range from 45-50 kg. The Kalina manufacturers themselves took care of convenience and developed original railings for the roof of the car. They can be made of aluminum profile or high-strength plastic, providing high rigidity.

Flexible plastic will help us

The paintwork can be protected from scratches. To do this, purchase sheets of transparent film “A3” (2 pieces will be enough). You can cut the film to the shape of the roof rail support and then glue it to the body, as shown below:

Protecting the outer paint layer from scratches

Threaded holes that are not used during installation must be sealed. And the metal near the holes into which the screw is screwed is protected with double-sided automotive tape:

Additional paint protection

It is important to know that when applying film or tape to any surface, degrease it first. Vodka or technical alcohol is suitable for this. It is recommended to use WD-40 only to remove traces of tape.