Raised rails are a type of rail on the top of a car that rise above the top of the cars roof unlike roof rails that sit flush to the cars roof.
The raised rails that rise about an inch or two off the surface of the vehicles roof, the raised roof rails are attached to the car's roof, usually temporarily, and may increase drag and lower fuel economy.
Roof rails and roof racks are the ideal and safe way to transport luggage, bicycles, kayaks, or a range of other items that just won't fit inside your car.
While roof racks and roof rails are similar, the main difference is the direction in which they are mounted on to your vehicle.
Roof rails are mounted on to a vehicle in a north-south direction running parallel with the length of the car.
They also provide an aerodynamic look to your car while giving you the option to tie down items that wouldn't otherwise fit in your car, on to the roof.
Not every car roof rack or rail system is compatible with every vehicle, and different brands of systems may not be compatible with each other.
There could be incompatibilities based on size, weight or method of attachment, for example.
While having a roof rail is a car owner's choice, it is highly recommended to have one as it allows one to carry items that might not fit inside your car.
The configurations of roof racks vary depending on the need but they always increase aerodynamic drag and cause vehicles to expend additional energy to achieve desired speeds.
Below is a photo of raised rails vs flushed rails.
