Folding Fabric Roof
4wd Low
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Akron
I was torn over the sliding roof vs. the panoramic roof as well, but opted for the panoramic due to the fact there are very few nice enough days in Ohio to justify it. I was also worried about how it would hold up long term. I too am curios as to what those that have it think about it.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 6
Beware roof rack with folding fabric option
I just leased a 2021 with the folding fabric roof here in Los Angeles. Thought it was cool & different - you don't see many. Also gets you around 7" of additional opening vs. the panoramic glass. I configured with the Explorer Pack (roof rack, side storage box, ladder). We checked to make sure the roof rack still allowed clearance for the folding fabric option - no issues.
When I took receipt of the vehicle though - I flipped through the owner's manual and immediately saw that the folding fabric option is listed as "not compatible with roof rack or crossbars". The dealer did not check this! It was the first they had sold with this configuration.
So even though there isn't a clearance issue - when I took the car on the freeway for the first time, I realized that above around 50mph, the wind shear off the rack creates rippling in the fabric, which is audible and completely unacceptable for long drives at speed.
So I'm now unwinding the lease and starting over. Hope this helps others who are considering the fabric. It's very cool, but I think the rack makes the car and I wish I had known before signing.
When I took receipt of the vehicle though - I flipped through the owner's manual and immediately saw that the folding fabric option is listed as "not compatible with roof rack or crossbars". The dealer did not check this! It was the first they had sold with this configuration.
So even though there isn't a clearance issue - when I took the car on the freeway for the first time, I realized that above around 50mph, the wind shear off the rack creates rippling in the fabric, which is audible and completely unacceptable for long drives at speed.
So I'm now unwinding the lease and starting over. Hope this helps others who are considering the fabric. It's very cool, but I think the rack makes the car and I wish I had known before signing.
Overlanding
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 10
I just leased a 2021 with the folding fabric roof here in Los Angeles. Thought it was cool & different - you don't see many. Also gets you around 7" of additional opening vs. the panoramic glass. I configured with the Explorer Pack (roof rack, side storage box, ladder). We checked to make sure the roof rack still allowed clearance for the folding fabric option - no issues.
When I took receipt of the vehicle though - I flipped through the owner's manual and immediately saw that the folding fabric option is listed as "not compatible with roof rack or crossbars". The dealer did not check this! It was the first they had sold with this configuration.
So even though there isn't a clearance issue - when I took the car on the freeway for the first time, I realized that above around 50mph, the wind shear off the rack creates rippling in the fabric, which is audible and completely unacceptable for long drives at speed.
So I'm now unwinding the lease and starting over. Hope this helps others who are considering the fabric. It's very cool, but I think the rack makes the car and I wish I had known before signing.
When I took receipt of the vehicle though - I flipped through the owner's manual and immediately saw that the folding fabric option is listed as "not compatible with roof rack or crossbars". The dealer did not check this! It was the first they had sold with this configuration.
So even though there isn't a clearance issue - when I took the car on the freeway for the first time, I realized that above around 50mph, the wind shear off the rack creates rippling in the fabric, which is audible and completely unacceptable for long drives at speed.
So I'm now unwinding the lease and starting over. Hope this helps others who are considering the fabric. It's very cool, but I think the rack makes the car and I wish I had known before signing.
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 5
Wow, thank you for sharing. That may be a deal breaker for me. I didn't order with a roof rack but will be installing some Yakima cross bars. May upgrade to full rack at some point.
Besides the obvious problem of the rippling effect with the roof rack at speed, what did you think of the quality of the fabric roof? Did it seem robust or flimsy?
Besides the obvious problem of the rippling effect with the roof rack at speed, what did you think of the quality of the fabric roof? Did it seem robust or flimsy?
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 6
Manual page 105
Last edited by rhmandeville; Mar 21, 2021 at 12:12 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 6
Wow, thank you for sharing. That may be a deal breaker for me. I didn't order with a roof rack but will be installing some Yakima cross bars. May upgrade to full rack at some point.
Besides the obvious problem of the rippling effect with the roof rack at speed, what did you think of the quality of the fabric roof? Did it seem robust or flimsy?
Besides the obvious problem of the rippling effect with the roof rack at speed, what did you think of the quality of the fabric roof? Did it seem robust or flimsy?
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 6
More specifics on rack equipment non-compliance
Realized I should be as specific as possible here for others considering this option.
When I took delivery of the car, I closely examined the operation of the folding fabric as it opened and closed below Land Rover's factory roof rack (part of the Explorer package). Clearance was no problem - the rack extends about 5" above the top of the roof rails, and the fabric easily passes underneath (just like the panoramic glass). But when the fabric is opened FULLY (on the second push of the control) it edges right up against the slat that's positioned in that section of the rack. There is a very light sound that suggests it might be a forced electrical stop as it reaches that back position. I wasn't overly concerned though, as the sunroof was still fully operational. The dealer and I examined this together and were satisfied.
When I arrived at page 105 in the owner's manual a couple days later, I grew concerned by the explicit manufacturer statement that the folding fabric roof is "not compliant with cross bars or roof rack equipment". I didn't understand why, as the operation seemed ok.
It wasn't until I took the car out on the highway at speed that I realized the non-compliance was likely related to an auditory issue - not a mechanical one. I had only driven it on surface streets at < 40mph to that point. At speeds above that, the wind shear from the rack (mainly the front guard that's intended to divert air below the rack slats) becomes problematic. I believe air is entering through the edges of the thick, waterproof exterior canvas and creating a ripple on the soft interior. It is loud enough that you'd have to play music to avoid the sound. That won't fly long-term - and in any case, I don't want to drive a car that's configured out of line with factory specs.
Again - I hope this helps!
When I took delivery of the car, I closely examined the operation of the folding fabric as it opened and closed below Land Rover's factory roof rack (part of the Explorer package). Clearance was no problem - the rack extends about 5" above the top of the roof rails, and the fabric easily passes underneath (just like the panoramic glass). But when the fabric is opened FULLY (on the second push of the control) it edges right up against the slat that's positioned in that section of the rack. There is a very light sound that suggests it might be a forced electrical stop as it reaches that back position. I wasn't overly concerned though, as the sunroof was still fully operational. The dealer and I examined this together and were satisfied.
When I arrived at page 105 in the owner's manual a couple days later, I grew concerned by the explicit manufacturer statement that the folding fabric roof is "not compliant with cross bars or roof rack equipment". I didn't understand why, as the operation seemed ok.
It wasn't until I took the car out on the highway at speed that I realized the non-compliance was likely related to an auditory issue - not a mechanical one. I had only driven it on surface streets at < 40mph to that point. At speeds above that, the wind shear from the rack (mainly the front guard that's intended to divert air below the rack slats) becomes problematic. I believe air is entering through the edges of the thick, waterproof exterior canvas and creating a ripple on the soft interior. It is loud enough that you'd have to play music to avoid the sound. That won't fly long-term - and in any case, I don't want to drive a car that's configured out of line with factory specs.
Again - I hope this helps!
