Yakima roof rack question

Bohous · 03-10-2007, 02:28 PM

I have held on to my old Q-tower rack that I had on my Matrix but have yet to set it up for the Prius. I don't want to roll with the rack 365 since I only actually need it a few times a year (getting kayak to and from it's summer home plus a few bike trips) and don't want the year round mileage hit. However, I just looked the Prius up on Yakima's fit guide and they recommend 58" bars but I currently have 48s. This might be a better question for Yakima but wanted to ask here first, is anybody using 48" bars or do you know if 48s will work with the towers spread to the ends?
If using the rack requires me to buy new bars in addition to the new clips I might just sell the rack and use foam blocks for the kayak and buy a separate hatch mount bike rack. I like the versatility of the roof rack and might need a cargo box someday but I could always readdress that situation when the time comes. Anyway, just trying to decide to refit or sell and would appreciate input, advice or suggestions.

gamiller · 03-10-2007, 03:56 PM

look at this site,might be helpful

http://evnut.com/prius_racks.htm

Bohous · 03-10-2007, 04:43 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gamiller @ Mar 10 2007, 03:56 PM) [snapback]403474[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

look at this site,might be helpful

http://evnut.com/prius_racks.htm
[/b]

Thanks, I've been through that page before. He has the 58" bars as recommended by Yakima but if you look at the 3rd photo down (the rear view), it looks like there could be ~5" of bar left on either side of the towers thus technically making 48" bars feasible in theory. The Saris system does seem very nice, especially since I would probably be taking it on and off a few times a year but cost is a factor. Maybe tomorrow I will just spread the bars as far as they will go and set it up there to see. Without the front/rear spread specs it won't be perfect but probably enough to tell if it would work.

Also, I have seen a couple references to Prius requiring only Q124 clips but according to the Yak site they recommend Q5 and Q124, presumably different size for front and rear. Can anybody clarify this?

gamiller · 03-10-2007, 04:53 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bohous @ Mar 10 2007, 04:43 PM) [snapback]403483[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Thanks, I've been through that page before. He has the 58" bars as recommended by Yakima but if you look at the 3rd photo down (the rear view), it looks like there could be ~5" of bar left on either side of the towers thus technically making 48" bars feasible in theory. The Saris system does seem very nice, especially since I would probably be taking it on and off a few times a year but cost is a factor. Maybe tomorrow I will just spread the bars as far as they will go and set it up there to see. Without the front/rear spread specs it won't be perfect but probably enough to tell if it would work.

Also, I have seen a couple references to Prius requiring only Q124 clips but according to the Yak site they recommend Q5 and Q124, presumably different size for front and rear. Can anybody clarify this?
[/b]

I don't know , but I would like to know how you make out.

darelldd · 03-10-2007, 05:12 PM

From what I remember, the clips I used were the same front and back. But that was long enough ago that I won't swear by it! If somebody can confirm, I'd like to keep my page accurate!

As for the bar length - I thought the same thing. And for the rear, you probably could barely get away with it (the rear is narrower than the front). But really, I maked 48" on the bars when I was installing them and realized that you'd be on the ragged end of them. The bars themselves aren't all that expensive. While you could get away wtih cutting off several inches (as I've done with most of my installations, actually) I really do recommend that you at least start with the 58" bars. They won't get in your way. What's the reason you want to use 48" bars? That you already have them? That's the only reason I can think of that makes sense. And that's why I was considering it... and ended up buying the 58"

Bohous · 03-10-2007, 06:14 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Mar 10 2007, 05:12 PM) [snapback]403499[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What's the reason you want to use 48" bars? That you already have them? That's the only reason I can think of that makes sense.
[/b]

Yes, I already have 48" bars.

I guess I could suck it up and just buy the 58". They would certainly look better too but that's hot a huge factor. New bars and clips would set me back about $120. Offset that by what I would pay for a good hatch mount bike rack and decent kayak blocks I guess it's not that bad. It's just that I don't really use it all that much but with the family expanding and growing I think it would be a wise investment.

jupitercrash · 03-10-2007, 06:29 PM

I have the same situation, 48" Yakima bars and a fairing left over from my previous car (plus bike and ski attachments). If I could use them on the Prius, then I might stick with the roof rack. Post if you managed to get the 48's to work. I was surprised that the Prius takes such wide bars.

Also, has anyone using Yakima racks found them very easy to take on and off? Apparently there are newer Q-Towers than the ones I have that make this easier. If I go the roof rack way with this car, I would definitely want to remove it when I'm not likely to be using it.

malcolm · 03-10-2007, 07:17 PM

I had a tule roof rack that fit very well. I would say was somewhat difficult to install and the screws in the tower very prone to stripping if not perfectly aligned. It looked good and worked well, but cost me about 7mpg. I changed it for a saris ride on hitch rack. It looks like crap but is very easy to use and much less mpg drop. For what it is worth I've had numerous racks on many different cars, mostly yakima and for my dollar yakima is a superior roof rack. I chose tule because that was all that was available at the time and it was very nice but frail during the install.

darelldd · 03-10-2007, 07:49 PM

The roof of the Prius is quite wide compared to similar-sized cars. The the sides of the car don't roll into the middle as on most cars (and this is one reason the car doesn't so as well in cross-winds). So there's where the longer bars come into play.

As for installing/removal... It is "easy" but takes too much fussing for my taste - which is why I finally went with the permanent landing pads. No fussing, no guess work. Literally drop them into the holders and snap them closed. Takes longer to type than to do. Aligning the "clip on" ones can be a chore, though the actual clipping part is no big deal once they're in the perfect location. The Prius is especially sensitive to positioning as the roofline flares so much toward the front. Even half an inch either way can mean the difference between too tight and too loose.

I like to take my racks on and off quite often, so the permanent solution was the best for my use. It was also much more work and risk to install.

Clar · 03-10-2007, 10:19 PM

i have yakima sets w/ 58" bars. Then I traded them to my coworker for her 48". It has about 1" clearance off each end. I was going to cut down that 58" to 50" if my coworker didn't want the bars i bought.

58" is too long for prius, in my opinion. when I had it, I had to watch my head when i go in and out of car. I always afraid I'll bump my head with the bar stick out so far from the top edge of the car.

03-10-2007, 05:12 PM	#5
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 5,336 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts Friends: 12	From what I remember, the clips I used were the same front and back. But that was long enough ago that I won't swear by it! If somebody can confirm, I'd like to keep my page accurate! As for the bar length - I thought the same thing. And for the rear, you probably could barely get away with it (the rear is narrower than the front). But really, I maked 48" on the bars when I was installing them and realized that you'd be on the ragged end of them. The bars themselves aren't all that expensive. While you could get away wtih cutting off several inches (as I've done with most of my installations, actually) I really do recommend that you at least start with the 58" bars. They won't get in your way. What's the reason you want to use 48" bars? That you already have them? That's the only reason I can think of that makes sense. And that's why I was considering it... and ended up buying the 58" __________________ -= Darell the EV Nut =- * EV Pages * Prius pages * PLEASE avoid sending me PMs!

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03-10-2007, 02:28 PM	#1
Bohous Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boston-ish Posts: 317 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I have held on to my old Q-tower rack that I had on my Matrix but have yet to set it up for the Prius. I don't want to roll with the rack 365 since I only actually need it a few times a year (getting kayak to and from it's summer home plus a few bike trips) and don't want the year round mileage hit. However, I just looked the Prius up on Yakima's fit guide and they recommend 58" bars but I currently have 48s. This might be a better question for Yakima but wanted to ask here first, is anybody using 48" bars or do you know if 48s will work with the towers spread to the ends? If using the rack requires me to buy new bars in addition to the new clips I might just sell the rack and use foam blocks for the kayak and buy a separate hatch mount bike rack. I like the versatility of the roof rack and might need a cargo box someday but I could always readdress that situation when the time comes. Anyway, just trying to decide to refit or sell and would appreciate input, advice or suggestions.

03-10-2007, 03:56 PM	#2
gamiller Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 48 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	look at this site,might be helpful http://evnut.com/prius_racks.htm

03-10-2007, 06:29 PM	#7
jupitercrash Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 14 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have the same situation, 48" Yakima bars and a fairing left over from my previous car (plus bike and ski attachments). If I could use them on the Prius, then I might stick with the roof rack. Post if you managed to get the 48's to work. I was surprised that the Prius takes such wide bars. Also, has anyone using Yakima racks found them very easy to take on and off? Apparently there are newer Q-Towers than the ones I have that make this easier. If I go the roof rack way with this car, I would definitely want to remove it when I'm not likely to be using it.

03-10-2007, 07:17 PM	#8
malcolm Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 6 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I had a tule roof rack that fit very well. I would say was somewhat difficult to install and the screws in the tower very prone to stripping if not perfectly aligned. It looked good and worked well, but cost me about 7mpg. I changed it for a saris ride on hitch rack. It looks like crap but is very easy to use and much less mpg drop. For what it is worth I've had numerous racks on many different cars, mostly yakima and for my dollar yakima is a superior roof rack. I chose tule because that was all that was available at the time and it was very nice but frail during the install.

03-10-2007, 07:49 PM	#9
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 5,336 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts Friends: 12	The roof of the Prius is quite wide compared to similar-sized cars. The the sides of the car don't roll into the middle as on most cars (and this is one reason the car doesn't so as well in cross-winds). So there's where the longer bars come into play. As for installing/removal... It is "easy" but takes too much fussing for my taste - which is why I finally went with the permanent landing pads. No fussing, no guess work. Literally drop them into the holders and snap them closed. Takes longer to type than to do. Aligning the "clip on" ones can be a chore, though the actual clipping part is no big deal once they're in the perfect location. The Prius is especially sensitive to positioning as the roofline flares so much toward the front. Even half an inch either way can mean the difference between too tight and too loose. I like to take my racks on and off quite often, so the permanent solution was the best for my use. It was also much more work and risk to install.

03-10-2007, 10:19 PM	#10
Clar Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: DC/MD/VA Posts: 146 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	i have yakima sets w/ 58" bars. Then I traded them to my coworker for her 48". It has about 1" clearance off each end. I was going to cut down that 58" to 50" if my coworker didn't want the bars i bought. 58" is too long for prius, in my opinion. when I had it, I had to watch my head when i go in and out of car. I always afraid I'll bump my head with the bar stick out so far from the top edge of the car.