How to install a trunk on a Kalina station wagon

Roof rack Kalina station wagon: design features

When deciding to install a roof rack, Kalina owners need to consider the following factors:

trunk design type;
characteristics of the cargo for transportation (dimensions, transportation requirements, securing options, etc.);
maximum load on the rails;
method of attaching the trunk to the car body.

Roof rails
The design of the Lada Kalina roof rack is quite simple and, as a rule, consists of 2 crossbars and 4 plastic support mounts, which are secured to the edges of the roof using special adapters. The roof rails for Kalina station wagon can be made of either aluminum alloy or high-quality plastic, which is highly durable and lightweight. They are installed quite simply, without the need to drill the body.

In terms of the type of design, the roof rails are similar to the Kalina hatchback, the main differences are only in the design, material of manufacture and direction of the crossbars. There are also universal car racks suitable for all classes of Lada Kalina with standard dimensions of 1660*310*110 mm.

The roof rack for Kalina 2 station wagon has some disadvantages, which should also be taken into account when choosing this device:

the dimensions of the car increase in height;
the noise level increases when driving at speed;
the aerodynamic properties of the body decrease;
obstacles are created to movement in tree plantations, catching the lower branches.

All of these indicators are significantly enhanced when transporting cargo on the roof of a car. You can smooth out some of the inconveniences by installing a special closed trunk on the roof rails of the Kalina 2 station wagon in the form of a special streamlined box that protects the cargo from bad weather conditions. In addition to the set of roof rails, you can purchase bicycle racks and baskets, depending on the type of cargo being transported.

Types of car trunks, tips for choosing

The trunk is a fairly simple structure, which consists of support posts and crossbars. In its configuration it has special fastenings and boxes, due to which the transported cargo is fixed. On a sedan, the trunk can be installed not only on top, but also on the rear. But the first option can be found much more often than the second.

As for the roof rack of the Lada Kalina car, despite its spaciousness, it occupies a fairly large area of the car. In addition, driving at high speeds will be accompanied by strong noise, and if the sedan is moving through the forest, then the structure in question will necessarily pass along all the lower branches. Small-sized models, of course, do not have such disadvantages, although they contribute to lengthening the overhang, which can lead to overloading the rear of the car.

If the Lada Kalina sedan is equipped with a top model, then it would be useful to mount a luggage box, which looks like a streamlined plastic box. If desired, this design can be installed on the rear doors. Using Lada Kalina luggage boxes has a number of advantages.

This design has a shape that promotes excellent aerodynamics. And this, in turn, contributes to silent driving at high speeds.
If the car is driving through the forest, the smooth surface does not allow branches to cling to the trunk.

The volume of such a device allows you to replace a suitcase by putting all your hand luggage there.
Plastic is a material that is not afraid of moisture, which means that carrying luggage in rainy weather does not pose any threat to your belongings.
The box is protected in the form of a lock, which means that the cargo will always be safe and sound.
The appearance of the structure is quite presentable.

But the design in question also has its disadvantages. Firstly, it is large in size. If the driver does not have a garage, then it will take up a lot of space in the apartment. Secondly, if the box is not removed from the car, but is transported empty, then fuel consumption will increase significantly.

It should not be forgotten that the Lada Kalina sedan can carry larger luggage. For example, the same bicycles. True, they require special fastenings. Such transportation by transport is possible in the case when an additional trunk is installed on the door or tow bar of a Lada Kalina hatchback or station wagon.

To transport relatively small loads, you can install the structure on top of the luggage compartment lid. If you install a rear type of trunk on a Lada sedan, then it is worth remembering that the standard lights should be clearly visible. Otherwise, you need to take care of additional ones.

Depending on the choice of trunk, the price may vary. The cost will be influenced by the complexity of the chosen design and the manufacturer. The sedan and the trunk for it should be harmoniously combined with each other. This will ensure proper operation of the vehicle. Therefore, before buying a roof rack for the Lada Kalina, you can read the following recommendations.

The trunk structure must have two bolts with which it can be secured to the body. One bolt exerts a large local load and also causes the load to shift. And this is already a threat of an accident.

To avoid having to paint your car over time, it is best if the roof rack does not have additional supports. If visible fasteners come into contact with the roof surface, they will damage the paint during use.
Most modern luggage racks are equipped with decorative plastic elements. They are secured to the paintwork with double-sided tape. If the kit does not include a protective film, then it is better to discard such parts, otherwise the glue will react with the paintwork.

How to attach roof rails to Kalina 2 station wagon

Installation of roof rails on the Kalina 2 roof is quite simple and can be done using adhesive double-sided mounting film or self-tapping screws. The most popular is the first method, which does not require drilling holes in the body.

To work you will need:

double-sided adhesive mounting tape (double-sided tape);
alcohol;
set of hexagons;
colored marker.

The installation process may differ depending on the type of roof rails, as indicated in the instructions for them. Thanks to the standard holes provided by the manufacturer in the body of the Lada Kalina station wagon, no difficulties will arise during operation.

Trunk mount

In any case, the sequence of actions consists of several basic steps:

1. Along one of the sides of the car, it is necessary to remove the side sealing rubber and the protective film under it, after opening the doors. In this case, you should start from the back door to the front. This will open the standard mounting holes.
2. Attach the plastic fairing parts to the body and mark the installation locations with a marker.
3. Degrease the working area with alcohol and apply double-sided tape to the attachment point to ensure a tight fit of the roof rails.
4. Install the rails and secure them using fastening screws and hexagons. The front screws are tightened first, then the rear ones.
5. Install the side seals in reverse order.

Having finished fastening the roof rails, you should make sure that the installation is secure. To do this, you need to try to move the device from the roof of the Kalina station wagon. Even with a slight shift, you need to secure everything in a new way, and then check the quality of the fasteners again. Such monitoring must be carried out regularly, since during operation the screws may loosen, and a slight oscillation of the rails will appear at speed.

If you encounter any difficulties when installing roof rails on the Lada Kalina, you must seek help from an experienced specialist. You should also study in detail the attached instructions and the experience of installing such devices on the network.

Installation of the structure on the body

In order to equip a car with a luggage structure, you can use one of the proposed methods.

The sedan is mounted using longitudinal supports called roof rails. The installation process involves the initial fastening of the railing system, after which crossbars are installed on them.
Installing a trunk under the door. In this option, the installation of supports will take place behind the clearance. For longer operation of this design, it is recommended to choose those models that have a security key. This will protect the sedan from unauthorized removal of the trunk.

Today, most car owners prefer the first system. And all because it is possible to independently choose the distance between the crossbars and their number, which allows for the refusal to use baskets or hanging floorings.

When choosing a trunk for a Lada Kalina car, the use of hanging devices also plays a key role. This point greatly influences the selection of the trunk itself, as well as the type of fastening it to the car. If there are no roof rails, the crossbars are equipped with flooring. If this is not taken care of, then the ability to transport goods that do not have a solid form will be lost. Usually the flooring is selected so that it has the appearance of a basket, that is, it has sides. Since today the roof rail system is the most relevant among drivers, let’s consider the rules for its installation.

Initially, you need to open all the doors of the car and lock them open.
Next, you should remove the rubber seal that is provided in the cabin.
There is a protective film on the mounting holes, which is also removed.
After this, roof rails are installed on the roof, and it is necessary to ensure that their holes coincide with the factory slots.
Next, screws are used to secure the roof rails to the body.
Once the installation is complete, the seal is returned to its place, and the doors are removed from the latches and closed.

Thus, to install a roof rack on the Lada Kalina, a lot of time and effort will not be required.

Basic rules for using roof rails

There are no special rules for securing cargo to the roof rails, therefore, when installing a trunk on a Kalina hatchback, drivers need to follow traffic rules and take into account the load on the roof rails, as well as the maximum permissible load capacity of the car. For Kalina, the maximum length of luggage on the roof should not exceed 1645 mm, weight - 50 kg. You should also pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. Long loads must be well attached to the crossbars to avoid swinging in the flow of oncoming air;
2. Small cargo and other heavy loads should be placed as close to the rails as possible;
3. Placement of cargo must be done according to the principle of load distribution from the lightest in the middle to the heaviest on the sides of the trunk;
4. Attach each individual luggage to the crossbars, securing it securely;

When transporting cargo on the roof, you should maintain a reduced speed without performing sudden maneuvers.

Making a trunk with your own hands

If you want to make the trunk of a Lada Kalina yourself, then first determine its dimensions. Remember that the trunk must match the dimensions of the roof. You can choose the height based on your own needs for transporting goods. This is not a very important parameter.

To make a roof rack for the Lada Kalina station wagon, it is better to use pipes. Cut them into pieces; car owners usually make a design with 2 or 4 crossbars. To ensure that the roof of the car does not sag and the load is distributed evenly, the trunk must have at least 8 points of support.

It is best to assemble the roof rack of Kalina from the lower base. To work you will need a welding machine. The seams are easy, so you don't need to be a professional welder to get the job done.

Place the pipes on a flat surface and weld the elements. Make sure there are no burns at the joints. Sand the weld seams thoroughly. After this, you can proceed to making the upper base.

Be sure to take into account the dimensions of the lower part of the structure, because even small discrepancies with the upper part can cause deformation of the Lada Kalina roof rack.

Connect both parts of the structure - this is easy to do using jumpers. You can weld both parts or make the top base removable. In this case, you can use the lower part of the trunk as a platform for transporting items.

Sand the joints and paint the elements of the Lada Kalina roof rack. Before painting, you need to clean the crossbars from rust. The surface should be thoroughly degreased. Since structural elements rub when driving, coat them with primer. Apply several layers, only after that should you start applying paint.

If you are going to use the trunk quite often, install parking lights on it. You can also install a brake light and reverse lights. The equipment will require installation of holes for wiring, take care of this in advance.