Any idea about the load capacity of the roof rails? I play a musical instrument called a vibraphone that fit's in 3 fiber boxes. If I stack these, the foot print is about 24 x 53, and the total weight is about 150lbs. I'm buying a 2006 xc-70. Whadaya think about that kind of load on a roof rack?

 

Should be fine, I've put 4-kayaks on Yakima cross-bars, combined weight should be about 160lbs, no problem. I've been told the maximum capacity is 250lbs.

 

That's it! You are fine with 150 lbs.....

 

Thanks (I get my car later today!)

 

Read the Owner's Manual. It will/should list max roof load with roof rack.

At least it does for wife's '06 V 70 with sunroof. And I think it is 150 lbs; which is twice as much as our 03 Honda Pilot with original equipment roof rack.

Just beware of one more thing. You say 3 boxes. What's the frontal and side area of those boxes? At speed, you need to worry more about wind pressure than the pull of gravity on the boxes. Are you taking only 2 feet wide by
5 feet long total, or each???? I trust total. But you said footprint, so I'm guessing at height of the stack.

Also, "fiber" boxes? strong enough to stay intact when 50+ mph wind is blowing against them? In the rain?

 

All good points. They are pretty tough, but will need a tarp for any wet weather. Dimensions are 28x54x8, 16x54x8, and about 30x30x8, so my previous footprint description was just a rough idea of a stack of 3. For less wind load, I should really arrange them with the long ones side by side with a combined footprint of 44 x 54, and the third on top to keep the height to 16. Combined weight may be almost 200lbs, I'll have to reweigh them, it's been a long time.
I'm planning a trip across country, sleeping in the back of the Volvo myself occasionally, so if necessary, the vibraphone could be put inside for driving, and only go on the roof when I need the rear to sleep. Or, there is always a... uggghhh... tent....

 

The back of the Volvo is okay to sleep in but it's not exactly roomy, it will depend on how tall you are I guess I prefer a tent, but then I'm 6'2". What I would do is get some 56" Yakima or Thule bars and strap the two long ones down length ways so that most of their weight is over each factory rail, then put the smaller one on top as you suggest. 16" total height is pretty small, so they should be fine, wrap 'em up in a tarp and off you go.

 

I'm 5'-7" :-) Yes to cross bars :-)

I picked up my car last night. :-) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VaarrrrrrOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM! :-)

 

Good idea, lol, didn't even think it would say in there. Mine says 220lbs / 100kg.

 

I'd find a Tule box that you could load everything in. Much safer, weatherproof and lockable.