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OEM Cross Bars / Roof Rack

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by kepani, Aug 3, 2020.

  1. kepani

    kepani Member

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    Well, if anyone has been wondering about the OEM Cross Bars / Roof Rack, I purchased a set yesterday from my local dealership. In about 20 minutes after unpacking the kit, it was fully installed. The installation was very simple and the fit is of OEM quality.

    The part number is PW30147009 and the link to the kit is here:

    2020 Toyota Prius Removable Cross Bars - With Keys - PW30147009 - Genuine Toyota Accessory


    The main use is for my surfboard. Atop the cross bars, I use Thule Surf Pads (Wide L 30") with the Thule Express Surf Straps. It works just as one would expect to secure and transport a surfboard.

    I do see that many are curious as to the wind noise after fitting a Prime (or a normal Prius) with one. I have yet to take it on the freeway to get some impressions. Once I do, I'll try to remember to check back in here. However, since working from home during the pandemic, I have had little need to drive on the freeway!

    IMG_0328.JPG
     
    #1 kepani, Aug 3, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2020
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  2. kepani

    kepani Member

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    UPDATE: Noticeable Wind Noise?

    This morning I drove in to work and wanted to see if I could hear or detect any significant wind noise or adverse effects from the cross bars.

    Note: The outside air temperature was around 68 deg. F on the way to work so this report may not apply to cooler or warmer conditions. ;)

    At around 45-50 MPH on the street (non-freeway), I thought I could hear a slight high pitched "whirring" coming from above. It wasn't extremely loud, but i'm certain it was coming from the cross bars.

    Upon entering the freeway, I focused in on that same noise as I approached 45-50 MPH, but didn't hear it. I suspect it was due to the freeway pavement (concrete vs. asphalt) and the other vehicular noise that might have drowned out that sound. As I drove up to freeway speeds (60-70 MPH), I didn't hear any noticeable wind noise. Then again, it could have been drowned out by surrounding noise.

    As for efficiency, I didn't really look at the negative effects. I'm sure there's a percentage decrease, but I drive slowly on the freeway anyway so that efficiency loss is obviously a factor of your top speeds.
     
  3. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Great to know that the wind noise is unnoticeable at high speed. I read earlier review on 2017 PRIME with very loud noise. I wonder if Toyota has improved the OEM roof rack somehow? The price is just right too. Much better than Yakima kit IIRC.
     
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  4. kepani

    kepani Member

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    Hi @Salamander_King actually, now that you mentioned earlier reports, I realized that the cross bars / roof rack I have is apparently an updated kit. I have Part # PW30147009.

    The old kid had Part # PW30147005.

    So It seems they may have updated it to address the noise issues?

    I drove home from work earlier this morning and didn't hear any noteworthy noises!
     
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  5. kepani

    kepani Member

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    @Salamander_King speaking of the Yakima kit, which one were you looking at? I actually paid around $284 give or take before taxes for the kit (Part # PW30147009). I could have driven further away to another dealer to get a better price but I needed the racks for a surf session so I just decided to get the rack anyway!

    The fitment is excellent IMO...
     
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  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Pics of older Part # PW30147005 and new old kid had Part # PW30147009 looks identical. The part numbers seems to be interchangeable.
    Toyota Prius Removable Cross Bars - With Keys - PW30147005 - Genuine Toyota Accessory
    Not sure if they are different in anyway. Noise level maybe very subjective thing and may change in different conditions, so I am not sure. Earlier when I got my 2017 PRIME, I was worried about the smaller cargo area and explored the possible roof rack, but since then I have discovered that my use case for this car is such that I don't use rear seats at all, and having the seats folded allowed plenty of cargo space for most uses. Also, since then, I have purchased used Pathfinder Hybrid SUV for people and cargo carrying trips.

    I don't remember which specific Yakima rack system I was looking at, but any one of the systems are priced higher than OEM parts.
    Roof Rack Systems– Yakima
     
    #6 Salamander_King, Aug 5, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
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  7. LightningBolt

    LightningBolt New Member

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    Speaking of cross bars - how do you store them when they are removed from the car?
    I'm looking for some sort of cloth-like bag with a drawstring closure but haven't found anything suitable yet.
    Any ideas?
     
  8. Prim.e.xample

    Prim.e.xample Active Member

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    Do you find them beneficial so far? I’ve been on the fence about adding them, but after having a 4Runner, it seems like I sometimes run out of space. Though last week I moved a good amount in it and was surprised!
     
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  9. LightningBolt

    LightningBolt New Member

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    I don't plan on using them on a regular basis. I wanted them for the times I need to get something big home. Like lumber or an outdoor patio table. They *ARE* real handy helping me find my car in a parking lot!
     
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  10. Tips

    Tips Member

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    Have you done any damage too the roof of the car as the metal is very thin on these new cars! Just be carefull or you will loose the aerodynamics of the car due to dents. I managed one little dent!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  11. LightningBolt

    LightningBolt New Member

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    The manual says max load is 152 lbs evenly distributed, i.e. no more than 76 lbs per bar. Should be good as long as you don't exceed that.
     
  12. m8547

    m8547 Senior Member

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    The edge of the roof where the rack sits is usually heavily reinforced for crash safety. I wouldn't worry about dents.
     
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  13. Rolla01

    Rolla01 Junior Member

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    Hi I'm new here and just got a 2020 Prime and set of used OEM roof rack. And I realized that I am missing a set of plastic inserts, and I cannot find the part number for them. Do I really need them? Thanks.

    upload_2020-9-10_10-29-28.png
    upload_2020-9-10_10-30-19.png
     
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  14. LightningBolt

    LightningBolt New Member

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  15. Rolla01

    Rolla01 Junior Member

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    I got the roof racks from Craigslist and it does not come with the insert, and the seller don't have them installed in their car too. Will try dealer, hopefully they can find the part.
     
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  16. LightningBolt

    LightningBolt New Member

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    I just took my crossbars off today and took a look at the insert.
    It has a hole in the center that accepts a pin on the crossbar mounting bracket.
    I would say its important to have that insert.
    Not only does it keep the pin from moving around in the larger hole, but because its plastic it protects the paint on both the roof rail hole and the crossbar pin from getting scraped away.
    You might be able to get away with wrapping some plastic electical tape or duct tape around the mounting pins to build them up to the diameter of the hole, but I would get the inserts if I were you.
     
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  17. kepani

    kepani Member

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    Hi @Rolla01 I would definitely go to your Toyota dealer and get them. You'll need them to properly index/align your roof rack when you tighten down the clamps. You'll notice in the installation instructions to remove the blank plastic inserts that are on your car from the factory and to replace them with the inserts you're missing.

    If you don't put them in, there's no guarantee that your racks are set properly and when you tighten down, you could damage the roof.

    Good luck!
     
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  18. kepani

    kepani Member

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    Absolutely! (y)
     
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  19. kepani

    kepani Member

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    I only got them for my surfboard which is not very heavy. But for that purpose, they're great! I just attach a soft top sleeve (velcro) around the bars and they work fine. If you're coming from a 4Runner, then yeah, I can see why you'd run out of space quickly!
     
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  20. LightningBolt

    LightningBolt New Member

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    The wind noise is definitely noticable. At first I thought it wasn't bad enough to be objectionable, but as time went on it got to be annoying and I finally took the bars off. I'll put them on if I need to haul anything but I'm keeping them off for the coming winter.
    I also worry about going through a carwash with them on. Anyone have any experience with that?