Features of choosing and installing a roof rack for a VAZ 2110-2112

Usually there are several ways to attach the trunk. Both modifications of the VAZ do not have gutters, roof rails (the 2111 has them), or special places for installation, which they like to do on foreign cars. Some people make such holes for installation themselves, and this is a separate big topic. The VAZ 2110-2112 has a “bald” roof, so our option is to mount the trunk using hooks in the doorway.

IMPORTANT: from July 1, 2022, any changes in the design of the car and the installation of any additional equipment must be formalized through an examination!

Features of choosing and installing a roof rack for a VAZ 2110-2112

There are many variations of VAZ luggage racks, differing in capacity, material, nuances of functionality and method of fastening. Therefore, you need to be able not to get lost in the variety and choose the necessary modification.

What to choose

Before moving directly to choosing a VAZ roof rack, it is important to clearly understand two points:

• what do you plan to transport;
• what is the mounting system of your car?

Depending on the purpose of transportation, there are:

1. Open trunks are suitable for transporting large, bulky or dirty cargo over short distances. They are a rectangular base with fastening elements. They are budget-friendly, but they reduce the aerodynamics of the car and, accordingly, increase fuel consumption.
2. Closed trunks - used for frequent long-distance trips and in cases where it is necessary to protect luggage from adverse conditions, moisture, dust, etc. They have the form of baskets or boxes - closed containers. One of the advantages is increased aerodynamics, and the disadvantage is high cost.
3. Specialized racks for transporting sports equipment (bicycles, skis, etc.) - narrow functionality. Most often it belongs to the middle price segment. Aerodynamics are reduced due to the specific shape of the load. The installation is noted to be difficult.

Depending on the mounting method, VAZ luggage racks are:

• standard – installed on recesses on the roof, according to the car manufacturer’s instructions;
• roof rails;
• integrated roof rails;
• attached to the doorway - this is how a roof rack is installed on the roof of a VAZ 2112, 2110;
• with mounting on a T-shaped profile;
• with fastening to the drain;
• on magnets - rare, has a relatively low load capacity;
• through the interior (inflatable trunk).

This does not limit the process of selecting a luggage rack. It is important to pay attention to the material of manufacture. You don't have to settle for soft metal car racks. Preference is given to steel types with galvanized coating or high-quality plastic.

Also, consider the manufacturer's reputation. And the option remains to make a VAZ roof rack yourself.

Eurodetail

One of the largest companies in the country for the production of luggage systems is Eurodetal. It has been on the market since 1998. Production is entirely based on the company’s own developments and uses materials only from Russian partners. The assortment is rich, there are luggage racks for almost any modern car.

On the roofs of many representatives of the “ten” class there is a Eurodetal car rack. For VAZ 2110, 2112 there are two options for open-type luggage systems of different materials: steel and aluminum.

The design consists of two rectangular crossbars, a support made of soft material so as not to scratch the car roof, and a mounting kit. Fastening occurs behind the doorway. Installation does not require special skills or specific tools. The price is affordable.

Ant

The Russian brand “Ant” is considered a budget option among car racks. Luggage systems of this brand are produced by. The target audience of the brand is owners of domestic cars, but there are also interesting options for lovers of foreign cars.

“Ant” is distinguished by high-quality materials and is famous for its versatility in fastening options.

For LADA 110, you can install the roof rack using fasteners behind the doorway. The luggage system for VAZ 2110, 2112 consists of a pair of rectangular arches made of steel and coated with plastic, special supports and fasteners. The ease of installation of Ant brand racks is noted.

Homemade trunk

You should not discount the possibility of independently manufacturing a removable roof rack for a VAZ 2112, 2110 car. It is easier for an inexperienced craftsman to start with the easiest option. For work you will need the following materials:

• metal profile, aluminum is more convenient;
• with already installed roof rails, to create a fastening system you will need clamps for the muffler - 4 pieces (if there are no roof rails yet, install them, more on that below);
• polyurethane foam;
• grinding machine;
• fiberglass;
• dye.

Let's move on to production:

1. We saw the crossbars. The length of the profiles must correspond to the width of the car body.
2. We cover the crossbars on all sides with a dense layer of foam.
3. We wait for the polyurethane foam to dry and grind it down with a grinding machine. Then we give the profile the necessary shape - first a regular parallelepiped, then we change it to improve aerodynamics (grind down the corners).
4. We wrap the “arcs” in several layers with fiberglass - from 3 layers.
5. Let's paint.
6. While we wait for it to dry, we make fasteners. We file the clamps from the bottom so that the plate becomes even.
7. We drill holes in the crossbars, two on each side (it is clear that they must be symmetrical). A prerequisite is that the space between the holes coincides with the “ears” of the clamp.
8. We attach the crossbars to the roof rails.

Universal car trunk

It is better for an inexperienced craftsman to start with making the simplest type of trunk. In fact, there are two crossbars to be made. For this you will need:

• metal profile, for example, with dimensions of 20X30 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5–2.0 mm (ideally aluminum, since it is lighter);
• clamps for muffler - 4 pieces. With their help, the trunk will be attached to the roof (if there are roof rails);
• polyurethane foam;
• grinding machine;
• fiberglass with a density of 300 g/m2. m.;
• dye.

Step-by-step production

To make a trunk in accordance with the parameters of the car and securely attach it to the roof, follow the algorithm below:

1. First, we cut the crossbars. The length of the crossbars must correspond to the width of the car body.
2. We cover the crossbars with foam both inside and outside. The layer should be quite dense: this will allow the crossbars to be given the required shape at the next stage.
3. After the foam has dried, grind it off using a sanding machine. At the first stage, we give the profile the shape of a regular parallelepiped, and then we make design changes in order to improve aerodynamics, in particular, we grind down the corners.
4. Since the foam has a loose structure, the crossbars can be additionally covered with car putty - this will make their surface smoother.
5. We wrap the crossbars with fiberglass cloth in three layers.
6. Paint the crossbars and wait for them to dry.
7. At this time we will start making fasteners. In our case, we decided to take the path of least resistance and use muffler clamps. They need to be prepared - file the bottom of the clamp to create an even plate for a tighter fit.
8. We drill holes in the cross members. There should be two symmetrically located holes on each side. The distance between them should coincide with the “ears” of the clamp.
9. We attach the crossbars to the rails. To avoid damaging the crossbars with clamps, rubber gaskets can be placed at the points of their contact.

How to install a trunk on a VAZ 2110

1. 1. Install supports on the “tens” roof for subsequent installation of cross beams; control installation on gaskets or paint damage cannot be avoided;
2. 2. Pull out the adjustment handle. To do this, carefully grasp the support and turn it left and right until it fits tightly to the VAZ body. It is also important not to twist it - the beam may become deformed;
3. 3. Perform the same operation with the second support (bypassing the car).

1. 4. The main condition for installation is to preserve the geometry, why carefully monitor it after finishing the work;
2. 5. The same actions are performed with another beam. At the end, it is recommended to measure the distance between the installed structural elements. It should be the same at every point. If it’s not clear, you can figure it out in the photo;
3. 6. Next, install the box or other device.

How to choose a VAZ 2110 roof rack

It is first necessary to draw up a list of requirements for the future luggage system, using the technical characteristics of the machine.

• The load capacity is selected with a reserve, increasing safety and giving confidence to the driver.
• Overall dimensions are indicated in the documentation.
• The windage is affected by the cross-sectional shape of the components. The oval shape of the crossbars allows high speed movement without the noise of oncoming air flow.
• The method of attaching the trunk depends on the design features of the cars.

Main installation locations:

1. factory mounting hatches;
2. edges of doorways;
3. standard longitudinal rails.

Luggage racks must meet the necessary criteria:

1. the strength of all structural elements is determined by its constituent materials;
2. durability;
3. ease of installation and dismantling;
4. minimal time spent on maintenance;
5. Possibility of working with conventional metalworking tools.

Conclusions after modification of the VAZ 2111 trunk

I worked leisurely for a couple of hours on weekends. I measured each detail several times. It took a lot of time for the drying oil to dry, because... I dried the plywood on the balcony, and the weather wasn’t hot, so it took a long time to dry (a week or two). As a result, everything dragged on for about a month, maybe more.

Now let’s summarize why this is all needed and what pros and cons we get as a result. I'll start with the cons:

1. Weight (Yes, I calculated that after this design the weight of your trunk will increase by about 25 kg.)
2. Less space in the trunk (The issue is debatable. Yes, visually there is less space in the trunk, but in fact it becomes very convenient to use the side niches. After all, if before, in order to put something there, you first need to bend the rubber mat, then the regular one, after putting it Either there is a large rug there that won’t go back flat, and you can’t put anything on top of it, because everything will fall on the center.)
3. Lack of a rigid shelf (I’ll list it as a minus, but the point is also controversial, some people need it, and some don’t)
4. Something like a spacer (When loading a very large load, when the rear seats are lowered, you also have to unscrew this spacer, but in my history I have transported luggage this way only once)

Now about the pros:

1. Beautiful design (Instead of carpet you can use, for example, leatherette, I refused it because I often have to carry rough cargo, such as firewood