Roof Rack Options
09-05-09, 06:58 PM
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Roof Rack Options
Hi. I am looking to transport two bicycles on the roof of my GMC Yukon using the factory installed rack and crossbars. I like the top models offered by Yakima and Thule, but I'm confused on which ones will fit the factory crossbar and/or what additional parts I will need. I have heavily explored both websites and still don't know what to order. Recommendations on these racks or others would be appreciated. Thanks!
09-06-09, 07:43 AM
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Hello personally I would never attach a bike carrier directly to a factory crossbar. I am sure it is safe but I just do not like it. that being said I found the Thule website to be very easy to use. perhaps you need to pay a visit to your local Thule dealer and get them to assist you with this. if you have a 2003 yukon it looks like you need a 532 adapter and the 589 bike carrier but as I said you are better off going to a local dealer.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
09-07-09, 05:23 AM
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Like Bianchi said, you would have to get an adapter to go onto your cross bars, then attach the bike rack to that. I am sure that there are other after market racks that will fit onto your cross bars, just dont know what they are off hand...
side note...
I had a factory mounted cross bars on my honda element. They pretty much suck and elected to purchase a full system from thule. It is a lot more stable than the factory system, plus I like the fact that I can lock everything down.
side note...
I had a factory mounted cross bars on my honda element. They pretty much suck and elected to purchase a full system from thule. It is a lot more stable than the factory system, plus I like the fact that I can lock everything down.
09-07-09, 08:21 AM
#4
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First - not all factory rails and crossbars suck. Some do. Check yours. Sometimes there is a weight rating right on the rack, or you might have to look in the manual or call the dealer. If it's over 160 lbs you're probably ok -- and on the Yukon I'm guessing it is. If it's 120 or under, beware.
Better yet, get up on the tire and give the thing a good frickin yank. Does it seem sturdy, or does it seem like it will tear off?
My subbie forester - the factor racks are decent, and I've had four touring kayaks up there at highway speeds without issue. There are Yakima and Thule adapters to fit their accessories to factory racks.
If your crossbars are weak, but your rails are good and strong, you can get Yak or Thule towers to mount to your rails. If the whole setup is weak get rid of it and have some Yakima or Thule rails permanently mounted on your vehicle (I recommend going to a body shop or shop that does truck caps and stuff like that -- unless you like to drill holes in the top of your own vehicle).
If you get aftermarket bars, keep them as long as possible. Our Odyssey has 78" crossbars -- and I can easily fit four kayaks and two bikes up there.
Better yet, get up on the tire and give the thing a good frickin yank. Does it seem sturdy, or does it seem like it will tear off?
My subbie forester - the factor racks are decent, and I've had four touring kayaks up there at highway speeds without issue. There are Yakima and Thule adapters to fit their accessories to factory racks.
If your crossbars are weak, but your rails are good and strong, you can get Yak or Thule towers to mount to your rails. If the whole setup is weak get rid of it and have some Yakima or Thule rails permanently mounted on your vehicle (I recommend going to a body shop or shop that does truck caps and stuff like that -- unless you like to drill holes in the top of your own vehicle).
If you get aftermarket bars, keep them as long as possible. Our Odyssey has 78" crossbars -- and I can easily fit four kayaks and two bikes up there.
