I have search for a rack for my low roof sprinter for years. I didn't want to spend $3500+ and I like modular racks. This rack was easy to assemble and install. I ended up building it in two pieces and then lifting onto the van with the help of my lovely wife. And yes buy the fairing and install it on the cross bar before you assemble the rack.
Very easy install on a 2016 Low Roof Sprinter 2500 with after-market rails (VanTech). Took less than an hour to get to get the side and cross bars set-up. No special expertise or skill required: if you can screw a bolt in, you can do it. Was able to fit 2 Newpowa 175w solar panels vertically in front with about 1/2" to spare across (max width between the rails is about 53 1/2"). Not only did they fit the panels but they are also flush with the top of the rack. One nice feature of the rack is that the 6 rails, which you can mount almost anyway up and down the rack, are 10-series 1x2" 8020 aluminum T-Slots so you can use whatever 8020 compatible fasteners, hardware, panels, etc. you want to easily create a custom set-up. For example, I mounted a Road Shower 4 across the back, which fits with about and inch to spare, by attaching some small 15-series 8020 crossbars to the rails. I also ordered some custom aluminum plates from 8020 and was able to fasten them directly to the rails creating a nice walkable roof deck/tie down area. The solar panels were also fastened directly to the rails by using 8020 compatible hardware. The rack has attachment/mounting holes down the outside length of the rails so you can easily attach things like antennas (I attached a SureCall cell booster on one side),awnings or whatever. Net/net, not sure why one would pay $3 or $4K for one of the "custom" roof racks when you can buy this rack for a lot less and very easily customize it yourself in whatever configuration you want.
Easy install with quality made product and components.
I've been driving around Northern CA with this the low-profile rack on for the past 2 years with ZERO problems or wind noise. It was incredibly easy to install (in fact, a really fun project), and I only tightened once after heat soaking and a couple dirt high speed gravel roads. When I purchased this rack, it was the only affordably DIY rack system on the market, I'm still so impressed and stoked on my purchase. I also got the Fiamma awning which has been working flawlessly. See ya out there!
