Roof rack bars - tell me what you have. How is the install/remove process?

[94cruiser]

I have the GM Accessory roof rack bars:
- very easy to install and remove
- my cargo box is an older design that opens towards the rear - not a clamp on, but comes with a U shape bracket; the tall bars make it for easy install
- they are so tall, they look stupid

What is your experience with other bars. Are they easy to install and remove? When putting on the cargo box, I tend to need to adjust the rails to fit the box holes.

Looking to maybe replace the tall ones with some shorter ones if opportunity arises. Looking to learn more.

 

[Crispy]

Thread 'TourX Roof Rack'

Mar 24, 2018

Hi all,

I'm buying a TourX this summer, to replace our old Outback...

We're going to need a roof rack, and soon.

I've seen the accessories on Buick's website, but there doesn't seem to be any way to actually order them.

I can use Thule's European sites to look at options for the un-rebadged Opel.

Other ideas?

• Bimmer
• Replies: 195
• Forum: 2018+ Buick Regal Sportback and TourX Forum

Might be more than you want here but worth a look. My post is in there somewhere. I bought cheap racks but they look good and I have used and abused them a lot. The only problem is the screws seized and I had to cut them
with a Dremel/diamond wheel. I will replace them with stainless nuts and bolts. Our renovation project is over so going to put them on only when needed. They are loud on the highway so it was nice to get them off the car. C.

Post in thread 'TourX Roof Rack'

Feb 21, 2020

Four sheets of 1/2” plywood and four rolls of insulation. Cross-town, no highway speeds. I think these racks are advertised to handle 160 lbs. Quite easy to load; the beauty of a wagon. (insert preacher / choir emoji here). I especially like parking under cover next to the 5 pickups at the Home Depot contractor department.

• Crispy

That didn’t copy like I wanted but should take you to the lengthy thread. I have another post in there showing 16’ lumber on the roof. What I liked about them is they’re streamlined. Not clunky. I think the part number is buried in that thread somewhere.

 

[bollox74]

FWIW I've got the factory rails and a large Soprtrack cargo pod - it can look a bit awkward for sure but I found it didn't get too bad of a mileage penalty on the hwy. Especially on the interstate across multiple states.

 

[visitor]

i bastardized a set of Green Valley clamps:

...that were pretty noisy, to hold Malone AirFlow2 Aero 50 bars (not shown). It cut the noise down quite a bit, but we've only used them once.

I wasn't comfortable with the Malone clamps, but the bars:
are way quieter than those Green Valley rectangular tubes.

 

[DrFaustus]

I have the Thule bars and a Thule box. It's all very easy to put on and take off. Particularly because I keep the box suspended above my car in the garage on a pulley system.