The 5 Best Sprinter Van Roof Racks (And the One We’ve Used for Years)

Choosing the best roof rack for your Sprinter van is yet another one of those agonizing decisions one makes with a DIY campervan build. We were no different, scouring the websites of various companies that make roof racks.

We got our 2021 Sprinter 4×4 van with factory roof rails, so we knew we wanted a Sprinter roof rack that didn’t require any drilling. We also knew we wanted one that was both lightweight and hardy, and of course, made of aluminum.

A roof rack for our Sprinter van is a necessary accessory for our solar panels and windsurfing gear. In the end we went with an Aluminess roof rack. We liked the durability, great reviews, and options. We’ve had this roof rack for four years and it still works and looks great.

Best Overall Sprinter Roof Racks

• Best Overall Sprinter Roof Rack: Aluminess Aluminum Roof Rack
• Best Premium Sprinter Roof Rack: Roambuilt Safari Rack 2.0
• Best Value Sprinter Roof Rack: Tec Vanlife Sprinter Roof Rack

Top Sprinter Roof Rack Options

Since Sprinters are so popular for van conversions, you can buy roof racks to fit virtually any vehicle model. We’ve compiled a list of the top seven roof rack companies offering this equipment. Let’s break down what they have to offer.

Aluminess is a company that specializes in gear for a wide array of van conversion vehicles. We like Aluminess products because they’re versatile, adaptable and lightweight. Even if you have a pop-top Sprinter van, you can buy a rack that will fit. Aluminess welds its own products at its headquarters in Santee, California, near San Diego. Racks are powder-coated and lifted into place in Santee.

We chose an Aluminess roof rack due to the quality (fully welded on site), and that it’s very customizable for adding things like vent fans and AC units. We wanted our vent fan in an atypical spot, so we told Aluminess exactly where to put it.

Modular vs Custom Aluminess Roof Racks

You can get either a custom Sprinter roof rack – where you add measurements for roof vents and AC units – or a modular roof rack. The modular rack works around 2 standard vent locations in the 144WB Sprinter and 3 vent locations in the 170WB. This rack also works with the factory AC unit for a 144WB van.

With the modular rack, you can add on a Vent Cover Kit for a solid floor on top of your van. You can even add roof rack lights and a wiring harness to your order.

We chose a custom roof rack because our roof vent is not in the standard position – it’s on the right-hand side of the van to give us more room to store gear on the left.

Aluminess Sprinter Van Roof Rack Systems

Aluminess offers five unique roof rack systems for Sprinter vans with multiple flooring options. You’ll get more options with high-roof vans than with low-roof. Here’s a rundown of each type.

• Double Loop Rack – This is the most common option, and it gives you a rack shaped like a basket so you have tons of places to tie down gear.
• Touring Style – This roof rack offers a drop-down front pipe for light bars and tailored to match a sloped roof
• Double Loop Open Front – There’s no front bar, allowing you to slide equipment in more easily.
• Double Loop Open Back – This option is ideal if you’re bringing canoes, kayaks, or surfboards along since you can load them from the back.

As far as flooring options, you can choose from:

• Slatted Floor – The slats have some space between them to make tying down gear easier. These are 3″ wide slats placed 2.4″ apart
• Perforated Aluminum – Perforated aluminum is great if you want a place to put lawn chairs or a tripod. It creates more of a Sprinter van rooftop deck. Tying down cargo is trickier but you can do it by lashing it down to the double loops

You can also purchase additional accessories like crossbars, boat rollers, and solar panel mounts. 

Our Aluminess Roof Rack

For our Aluminess Sprinter roof rack, we chose an Aluminess Double Loop Rack with Perforated Aluminum Flooring. This rack allows us to lack down our windsurfing gear to the roof, as well as add solar panels. The perforated aluminum makes for easy walking and kneeling to tie down our gear. We love that the rack is one piece of welded aluminum, rather than shipping in parts. It’s also one of the cheaper aluminum roof racks we found – others were upwards of $5,000 for a custom roof rack that’s in one piece, not modular.

We chose to bring our Sprinter van down to the factory in San Diego for an install, which was totally worth the cost. Otherwise, we would have had to locate a forklift on our own.

So far, we are very pleased with the Aluminess roof rack for a Sprinter van. It’s hardy, sleek and made of lightweight aluminum.

Orion Van Gear is based in Oregon, where it makes a variety of roof racks for Sprinter and Ram Promaster vans. They aren’t as well-known as other companies, but they make some of the best racks on the market. They are the longest and widest available, which allows you to make the most of the space available on the roof.

Their Sprinter Stealth+ Roof Rack is lightweight (30% less than a stainless steel one) and 100% adjustable, as well as almost infinitely upgradeable. It’s form-fitted to the front and rear curves of the van, so there is minimal gap between the body and the rack. This makes it extra aerodynamic, improves its appearance and provides 360 rooftop privacy.

This rack is compatible with a number of awnings, ladders, deck panels, SUP hooks and more. It’s designed to take the Fiamma F45s awning (no cutting or drilling), which is good value for money. The rack can also fit bigger solar panels, such as Renogy’s 200-watt panels. There are side rail slots, which allow you to easily tie down surfboards and kayaks while you’re underway.

The best bit? You can easily install the rack yourself without using a crane or making any cuts. Simply use the drop-in and twist track nuts to mount it directly to the roof. Orion also provides stainless steel drop-in T nuts, which can be dropped in anywhere on the cross bars to maximize customization. This is the perfect roof rack for someone who doesn’t have the time for a complicated install.

If you’re doing your own Sprinter van conversion, you may have come across the Flatline Van Co. FVC is one of the top camper van DIY suppliers, so it offers a wide assortment of Sprinter van roof racks as well.

Flatline Van Company is especially known for its Low Pro Sprinter roof rack, which is one of the lightest and most low-profile we’ve found. If a lightweight Sprinter van is a must for you, you might want to go with a Low Pro.

The Flatline Van Co. Low Pro Roof Rack is one of the most popular Sprinter roof racks for good reason. It’s lightweight, clean-looking, and incredibly functional without being overbuilt. Designed to bolt directly to factory or aftermarket roof rails, the Low Pro is easy to install and ideal for DIY campervan builds.

What really sets the Low Pro apart is its adjustability. The aluminum crossbars slide forward and backward, making it easy to work around roof vents, MaxxAir fans, A/C units, and solar panels. The 80/20-style crossbars also make mounting accessories simple, whether you’re adding solar, a cargo box, light bar, or partial roof decking.

If you want a rack that stays low-profile, minimizes wind resistance, and can evolve as your build changes, the Flatline Low Pro is hard to beat. It’s one of the lightest full-length Sprinter roof racks on the market, yet still strong enough for real-world use on and off the road.

If you’re looking for a premium, expedition-ready roof rack for a Sprinter van, the ROAMBUILT Safari Rack 2.0 sits firmly at the top end of the market. Designed for 2007+ Mercedes Sprinter high-roof vans, this rack is built for people who actually use their roof for gear, not just aesthetics. It’s constructed from 5052-series aluminum with perforated decking, which keeps weight reasonable while still feeling extremely solid under load.

One of the biggest upgrades with the Safari Rack 2.0 is its modular design and cleaner, more modern look. Unlike the original straight-front version, this updated rack features a curved front edge that looks more integrated with the Sprinter’s roofline.

It installs easily by bolting directly to the factory roof rails, and internal wire routing keeps lighting and accessory installs clean. Mounting tabs for auxiliary lights are already built in, and the rack is designed to accommodate multiple 7–8 inch round off-road lights without custom fabrication.

This rack is also built with real van builds in mind. ROAMBUILT offers factory A/C and custom cutouts, with one to two cutouts included in the base price. That’s a big deal if you’re running roof-mounted air conditioning, vent fans, or planning a future upgrade. Because of the size and customization involved, freight shipping is required and lead times can vary, but the payoff is a rack that feels purpose-built rather than adapted.

The Tec Vanlife Sprinter Roof Rack is a lightweight, modular roof platform designed for builders who want maximum flexibility without the cost or complexity of a full safari-style rack. Built for 2007+ high-roof Sprinters, this rack uses high-pressure molded aluminum side profiles with reinforced corners, giving it an impressive strength-to-weight ratio while keeping overall weight low. On a 144-inch van, it weighs just over 50 pounds, making it one of the lighter full-length racks available.

What sets this rack apart is its adjustability. The sliding crossbar system makes it easy to work around solar panels, roof fans, air conditioners, antennas, and other rooftop gear without cutting or modifying the rack itself. The aerodynamic front fairing and engineered airflow gap help reduce wind noise and drag, while laser-cut sidewalls improve airflow around solar panels and accessories. Everything bolts directly to factory or aftermarket roof rails, with no drilling required, and installation can typically be done by one person using basic tools.

This rack doesn’t try to be a rooftop deck. Instead, it’s a clean, low-profile platform designed for mounting solar, awnings, cargo, and accessories efficiently. If you don’t need perforated flooring or a walkable roof surface, the Tec Vanlife rack offers a smart, streamlined solution that keeps weight and cost in check while still supporting serious gear.

How to Choose a Sprinter Roof Rack

With so many high-quality roof racks available, it’s hard to determine which one will work best for your needs. So, to help you make an informed decision, let’s break down the different elements to pay attention to during your search.

Material

Sprinter van roof rack systems are often made of aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper, but it can bend more easily and isn’t as durable. If you’re hauling heavy-duty equipment or large items, you should choose steel. Otherwise, aluminum should work well for most situations.

Weight

As with anything you install on your Sprinter van, weight matters. While these racks won’t slow your van down, they can decrease your fuel efficiency. As we mentioned, aluminum racks are lighter, so we recommend going that route if you’re concerned about the weight.

Another reason to pay attention to the weight of your roof rack is that heavier pieces can be harder to carry up and install.

The lightest rack we’ve seen is Flatline Van Company’s Low Pro Roof racks. Most other racks we’ve seen weigh anywhere between 110-150 pounds.

Slats vs. Perforated Aluminum

Before installing a roof rack, it’s crucial to know how you will use it. If you just want something for gear storage. slats or crossbars will work best. However, if you’re going to sit or stand on your roof, you should go with perforated aluminum sheets. These sheets allow you to put a folding chair or tripod on the top without the risk of it tipping over.

If you’re getting slats, consider the space between them. If it’s too far, it’ll be harder to walk on the rack. If they’re too close, you can’t tie your equipment down as easily. Some racks that come with slats also offer perforated deck pieces you can add to the rack to create steps or walkways.

Light Bar Compatible?

Some roof rack systems come with built-in light bars. A light bar is an excellent choice to increase your visibility while driving. Typically, you’ll need this piece if you’re going off-road, as campsites and parking lots are often well-lit.

You can also get racks that are compatible with different light bars. This way, you can add or remove the bar as necessary. There are quite a few lighting options, so be sure to check those out, too, before making a final decision.

Accessories

You can buy tons of accessories to make your roof rack more versatile and accommodating. However, not all racks are compatible with these accessories, so you might have to plan accordingly.

Again, knowing how you want to use your rack will come in handy. Write a list of must-have accessories and make your decision from there.

Modular or Not

Modular Sprinter van roof racks come in pieces and typically consist of 3 or 4 parts. These racks often have movable crossbars so you can plan your rack around obstacles such as AC units, vent vans and solar panels. However, modular roof racks don’t seem quite as durable or hardy to us as welded one-piece racks such as our Aluminess rack.

Which Sprinter Van Roof Rack Will You Get?

We hope this list of roof racks helps you narrow down your pick. Another option if you like to weld is to create your own roof rack. We’ve read about people doing this in Sprinter van forums.

Whatever you choose, remember to take into account modular vs. one-piece, what your rack is made out of, weight, and whether or not you want to attach a light bar and awning.

Good luck on your Sprinter van build!