1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Roof Rack option???

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by organick, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. organick

    organick New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2010
    10
    0
    0
    Location:
    nc
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    SO I have a big dilemma. I love my prius but we are have a 2nd child and it just does not have the room to travel with 2 kids plus there stuff, cloth diapers etc etc. Its tight now with one and we travel at least twice a year to see family.

    NO unfortunately we cant afford to get the wagon when it comes out.

    So has anyone had experience with a rack on a first gen?? I can get a thule kit and another company also and I was thinking maybe the bag style carrier might work. But when I look at the car a rack seems massive and someone told Toyota doesn't recommend fitting them with racks? Has anyone done it and how did it work?

    My only other real option is to sell the car and buy a high MPG diesel
     
    #1 organick, Apr 17, 2011
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    You might also consider a small trailer, such as the SportsRig. You get less drag with a trailer.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Apr 17, 2011
  3. organick

    organick New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2010
    10
    0
    0
    Location:
    nc
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    thats an idea but i just checked them out and 2k is a bit more than a 300 roof rack.

    Are there any hitch mouted carriers for a first gen?
     
    #3 organick, Apr 17, 2011
  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,754
    5,245
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    A roof-rack carrier would be the best choice, since all but the little clips can be re-used later when you finally do end up replacing that Classic Prius. Plus, you can later purchase other mounts for carrying other types of cargo.

    The manufacturers worked really hard to minimize the aerodynamic impact and made them easy to remove when not needed.

    It only takes me a few minutes to clamp the rack onto my roof for the quick afterwork escape with the kayaks...

    [​IMG]
    .
     
    #4 john1701a, Apr 17, 2011
  5. organick

    organick New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2010
    10
    0
    0
    Location:
    nc
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    John, Thanks. Have you had one on a gen 1? just wondering how they do on long trips? wind? Do you like your yakima?
     
    #5 organick, Apr 17, 2011
  6. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,754
    5,245
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I didn't have kayaks back when I owned a Classic Prius. Back then, it was all about biking... and I was actually the first to have a hitch custom built for carrying bikes on back. See...

    [​IMG]

    More photos here.

    Hitch details here.

    Yes, I really like the roof-rack. And I couldn't care less about the wind or the efficiency hit, since summer is so brief and recreation opportunities so few. The kayaks do ride surprisingly well though.
    .
     
    #6 john1701a, Apr 17, 2011
  7. Mauricio Maldonado

    Mauricio Maldonado Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2005
    8
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius

    That is a sweet rack! Could you tell me who makes it and how much I can expect to pay for it? Thanks. This would be ideal for the kayak I have in mind. Thanks! Please message me at [email protected]
     
    #7 Mauricio Maldonado, Apr 18, 2011
  8. ToyodaJoe

    ToyodaJoe New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2013
    9
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Has anyone added a roof rack to the first generation?
    I have some old Yakima gutter mount racks around and I would like to use them on my '03. No rain gutter configuration , how has anyone done this? Thanks
     
    #8 ToyodaJoe, Jan 29, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)