[GreyBolt]

I've been thinking about a roof rack, and I'm getting pretty close to the Yakima system.

FWIW - It looks like REI has 20% off Yakima starting Nov. 9 for members (something like $20 for life membership).

There are probably other online discount suppliers too, not sure which may be the best ones.

 

[redpoint5]

I'd avoid roof racks unless there was no other feasible way to haul things.

Hitch racks are much more aerodynamic, plus forgetting your bikes are on there won't result in destroying everything as you drive into your garage.

 

[GreyBolt]

I'd avoid roof racks unless there was no other feasible way to haul things.

Hitch racks are much more aerodynamic, plus forgetting your bikes are on there won't result in destroying everything as you drive into your garage.

That is what I like about the Yakima system, it looks like you can easily remove the cross bars and towers from the landing pads, when the rack is not in use. All that remains are the four relatively small landing pads.

I use it for long pipes, wood, ladders and the like, difficult items to place in, or behind the car. I did manage to get a roll of 72" fence in the car, but I don't want to tear up the interior by doing that sort of interior hauling a lot.

It's less than 5 miles to Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[ArcticBlue]

I took advantage of a previous REI 20% discount and purchased the Yakima system. After the initial installation, the cross bars are easy to attach and remove; no tools required. That was a feature I wanted as well. I haul three kayaks and the system works very well.

 

[hatchy]

Agree rear mount is the way to go.. you can get some non-hitch mount stuff that straps on to the hatch too. For those you can use tape where the mounts touch your car and it should stop any scratches.

 

[bro1999]

That is what I like about the Yakima system, it looks like you can easily remove the cross bars and towers from the landing pads, when the rack is not in use. All that remains are the four relatively small landing pads.

I use it for long pipes, wood, ladders and the like, difficult items to place in, or behind the car. I did manage to get a roll of 72" fence in the car, but I don't want to tear up the interior by doing that sort of interior hauling a lot.

It's less than 5 miles to Home Depot or Lowes.

I have the Yakima bars on my Bolt's roof rails. I leave the landings pads on all the time, as they are small and any aero hit is likely insignificant (probably talking a few hundred yards over a full charge). And when I need the bars, they can be slapped on in about 1-2 minutes, and taken off just as easily. I rarely use them outside of camping trips, but they are definitely handy and glad I have the option of using them.

 

[Sean Nelson]

I have the Yakima bars on my Bolt's roof rails. I leave the landings pads on all the time, as they are small and any aero hit is likely insignificant...

Have you measured the car's overall height with them installed? I'm wondering if there's enough of a difference to be a concern in some parking garages with a low clearance.

 

[GreyBolt]

Well, in hindsight, I probably would not have bought from REI. The 20% sale with free shipping was great, but then the three boxes of needed parts came in dribs and drabs. I got the rails in 2 or 3 days, then the landing pads a few days later, but the towers were doomed to be long in delivery. I got a note Thursday, pay $3.50 more to UPS and get upgraded delivery Friday, vs. Saturday for Surepost (exchange program with USPS). But, soon after I paid, they said, sorry wx delay, late Monday. I got them this afternoon, so ten days all told.

It was more the minor frustration because I got them now to buy a ladder that I need for two projects, and I watched the few nice days (including this morning) of November come and go while waiting for the towers.

It all went together okay. The Yakima video is much better than the instructions. One landing pad seems tight, but I imagine it will wear in, or I could file it a bit if needed (probably not). I do like the quality and look.

There is an "angle of attack" adjustment, but I think it's more to compensate for the slope of the roof front and rear, than any significant aerodynamic forces.

I will measure the total height later, probably not an issue, especially because the BOLT is relatively small to begin with.

 

[GreyBolt]

Have you measured the car's overall height with them installed? I'm wondering if there's enough of a difference to be a concern in some parking garages with a low clearance.

I get about 5' 8" (68") to the crest of the rails of the base system. Of course stacked with accessories is another question.

A Chevy Tahoe is 74" high.

 

[Lin19687]

Got a Link to the one you bought ?

 

[bro1999]

Have you measured the car's overall height with them installed? I'm wondering if there's enough of a difference to be a concern in some parking garages with a low clearance.

With the bars installed, height still isn't above 6'. At least I'm 6' and I'm still taller than the bars.

 

[GreyBolt]

Got a Link to the one you bought ?

Yakima SkyLine Towers - Set of 4 Item Number: 1025940001
Yakima 50" JetStream Bars - Pair Item Number: 1025980002
Yakima Control Tower Landing Pads - Set of 4 Item Number: 6925540007

REI has a step by step configuration program (click on add vehicle), probably from or at the Yakima website too.

I think the BOLT Premier with the silver roof mounting rails locks in the towers and the landing pads, then there are three choices for the bars and the JetStream come in silver or black. There is probably a door/sill based landing pad for the LT, but I did not check.

I wish GM had put four openings in the silver base runners for a cord or strap. Probably not needed, but I like a little extra back up when tying stuff to the roof.

The orange 300lb 8ft Werner is on sale for $89, the little work platform is a Gorilla 20 inch platform.

 

[mikek]

Anyone interested in custom roof rail adapters, I have some for Thule bar rails been on my bolt for over 2000km, looking to make another set to fit carbon fiber rails. Let me know better then spending all that hard earned money, buy another bike or kayak instead.

 

[TrngMchn]

To those considering a Yakima rack. I bought and installed a set of the Yakima roof bars for the LT. They clamp over the door "frames". They are way too expensive, but I didn't want to go the 2x4 route due to wind resistance. I am happy to report that the Yakima posts and bars (the mid level streamlined bars) add nothing measurable to the air resistance. I measured this on an 5 mile flat course, going both ways at constant 63 mph. With and without the rack both gave about 4.0 miles/kwh. In fact with the rack gave 4.1, but I assume that's not reproducible. I can't think that the rack made the car better. So, although way too expensive, at least the Yakima bars are low drag. I also drove the same course with a ski bag attached to the rack. The ski bag had two sets of cross country skis in it, so was a slim package, maybe 8" diameter at the thickest. The additional drag from the ski bag was also in the noise, so <= 5%.

 

[TrngMchn]

energy cost of a roof pod?

Futher to my last post, I am now wondering how bad a pod would actually be, in terms of extra drag. Has anyone measured that?

 

[Pvillerob]

Ya know what I don't like about the Yakima system? The ends of the cross bars sticking out. I'd always be afraid of hitting my head on the dang things. The Thule rack sticks out beyond the roof rails, but not as much. And, by the way, I can pull right into my standard opening garage with the tandem kayak on the roof.

 

[VanVeggies]

Pretty sure both Yakima and Thule sell their bars in various lengths. I had the old style square thule bars on a few of my previous cars. They stuck out far enough that I banged my head a couple of times, once badly. But the extra length lets me carry two kayaks side by side, whereas they most definitely wouldn't fit on shorter, streamlined bars.