Fairford roof tent

I am looking at fitting an ARB esperante roof tent . I had assumed the roof rails would be man enough to carry this with crossbars. However someone said they were “just cosmetic….” Surely not?!!!!
Anyone put hefty loads on these?

They are just cosmetic. You can get proper ones , one or two members have changed them to enable canoes to be carried etc.

Should have researched forum better! Clearly factory rails cosmetic. Why??! So the question is can the cosmetic rails and a replacement load bearing Thule system be fitted without having to remove internal roof lining etc? I fear not

Yes, wow indeed. I have a friend who has a very similar roof tent on a pick-up with a Truckman back but the Boxer is higher than a pick-up. I’d not want to be up there on a stormy night!

On the subject of why roof rails are cosmetic…….my take has been that it provides a cleaner look to van from side view masking roof lights and solar panel. Maybe not but I had to find some logic. Also with so much on the roof it wasn’t considered anyone would want to put a rack up there. Again maybe not and I am clutching a straws. AS do so many things I don’t get maybe I’ll sit back and just accept them.
When you buy a van make sure it does all that you want from it.

Thanks for all your input. Agents can fit proprietary rails ( having removed existing) and bars and do not see any issue with my proposal.  I got the idea of a small hard shell roof tent ( which will cover only the rear roof light) having seen several large Boxer type or based Vans with folding supra roof accommodation at the NEC last weekend!

Glyne has done this change.  If you look at his Kemmerton XL Improvements page 2, you will see how he has replaced the cosmetic rails with the Thule rails:

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Kemmerton is same 6.4m van.
Hope this helps!

….. Not wrong there Mr Bargee..a move up in the world for me as the Mrs B wont tolerate my snoring downstairs…..!!

Buy Mrs B a packet of these, they are a lot cheaper than a skyscraper tent.

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You had me worried for a moment ………at first glance they looked like something else !!

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So the first picture the what is fitted to look good but has holes drilled to fit so more problems with leaks not needid you can’t see the n/s as the blind is next to it . Solar panels can only be fitted inside it this is just some reasons there are more problems then good points
If fitting anything to take load on the roof needs to be done with correct items to only put the load on the roof as it is made to do or you will do damage to the roof 
My second picture is a correct rack and my solar panels all mount to it no shade at low sun light from the roof vents no hole’s drilled in roof
Do a job but do it right from the start
Next you need to be able to get up there safely as well