Roof Rack

[Jack Stands]

I just purchased a 2016 Cayenne and was wondering if a roof rack can be fitted. If I understood the information I was given, the truck had to be originally prepared for a roof rack to be able to install one.

This is my first water cooled Porsche after owning many air cooled models, and I’m hoping to be able to enjoy it as well. Age and medical issues do not allow me to drive a manual transmission anymore, and the Cayenne is much easier to enter and exit than a 914-6 or 911.

[honerboys]

from what i've read (so i could be wrong) on this and other sites, all cayennes are fitted with the welded in mounts above the headliner - to these you can bolt the threaded rail receiver piece - then you have to drill holes in the roof - then the rails can be bolted into that threaded piece - i also want a rack on mine - there are aftermarket rails that can be fitted to these - i'm keeping a eye out for one to show up at a junkyard with the factory rails

[Jack Stands]

All the aftermarket ones ones for the 958 seem to be basically for show as they‘re held on by adhesive foam. It seems strange that Porsche would not make this a bit more common, but perhaps they figured the Cayennes are not used for hauling that often. However, much like a receiver hitch, I like to have the capability if needed.

[MIK911]

I looked into this extensively, and bottom line is if your Cayenne doesn’t have factory installed roof rails, you can’t add them. Period.
These aftermarket Thule racks clamp on super tight. Works perfectly

[tdw28210]

So there is a thread on the "Renn" forum where a guy has added aftermarket rails he bought from a seller in Western-Taiwan (lol). It is involves drilling through the exterior roof and fiddling with the headliner. He states (IIRC) that ALL Cayennes have the interior attachment pieces for the rack. I bought the rack pieces too, but I am still too chicken to attempt the install.

[MIK911]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

So there is a thread on the "Renn" forum where a guy has added aftermarket rails he bought from a seller in Western-Taiwan (lol). It is involves drilling through the exterior roof and fiddling with the headliner. He states (IIRC) that ALL Cayennes have the interior attachment pieces for the rack. I bought the rack pieces too, but I am still too chicken to attempt the install.

So the sheet metal roof is your main support? Hmmmm
I’ve seem aftermarket roof rails for sale on eBay, but imho, it’d be more for cosmetics than any significant hauling.

[honerboys]

there is a reinforcement in between the roof sheet metal and headliner to mount the factory bars ..i believe