Jail bars. What are they for?

[beetlefanatic]

As per the heading. Why fit jail bars/luggage bars?

My 1993 Syncro has a set in the rear window and having just returned from a Cape trip where I did probably 700km+ on some good and some not so good dirt roads, I am convinced they serve no purpose except cosmetic. That is on my vehicle at least. And they are a source of irritating rattles on the corrugations.

Would the bus fundies be so kind to please enlighten me on their purpose?

[Pine]

Our '83 Microbus had them on the inside of the rear hatch. I think it is to prevent you from breaking the rear window when slamming the hatch closed and the load area is full of luggage or goods. I've seen that happen to the rear lid of the canopy of a bakkie.

[fig]

Yes, they're there to protect the glass from shifting loads. Whether they're actually capable of doing that is another story and maybe effectively they're just for looks.

[dixtoy]

I heard them called towel rails, maybe for hanging G-string and stuff when camping and the hatch is open

[beetlefanatic]

Thanks guys for the replies.