Photos of Prius with roof rack. Anyone?

A small excerpt of my rack install (I long to be as thorough as Darrell):
http://thulepriusrack.blogspot.com/

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JeffJones @ Feb 27 2007, 07:19 PM) [snapback]397500[/snapback]</div>

Do you know if they used the aero bars or the standard square bars in that install? I went with the Yakima for this reason. I didn't want to get the square bars and find that the bike mounts did not line up properly because of the curve of the roof. I have some pictures of my Yak rack installed with my two mountain bikes. I'll try and post later.

 

I finally installed a Yakima rack on my 2005 Prius and have had nothing but headaches and body scratches since. It took way to long to get the darn things on properly and tight enough. Once I finally did it things seemed good when I carry only one stack of surfboards. However, if I carry two stacks (even if there are still only a small number of boards in total on the top) the front bar slides back and scrapes the heck out of the top of the car. It seems to happen particularly when I am crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge which I assume is because of the cross-wind. I have tried to do a total reinstall but it resulted in the same scenario.

I am supposed to go back to REI to have them look at it but it seems the only day that works for them is mid-week mid-day which isn't ideal for my work schedule.

Anyone else had this problem?

 

Roof Rack and Shark fin !

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skyisblue @ Jul 27 2007, 08:05 PM) [snapback]486435[/snapback]</div>

What settings did they use for the install? I know I got some numbers from the place I bought my rack, but I had to modify some of them because it just did not seem to fit right. for the Yak rack they have 4 numbers M1 through M4. They are specific measuring points.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Chayse @ Jul 28 2007, 02:10 PM) [snapback]486746[/snapback]</div>

I used what was set in the booklet for foot pads Q124:

M1- 41"
M2- 8"
M3- 40"
M4- 30"

What did you use? (and what do you carry on your rack?)

 

I did what Darell did. I have the Yakima landing pads and I bought his Saris racks for the wife's car. The saris racks make a whistling noise around 50 mph, but you cannot hear it in side the car unless you have the windows open.

My Yakima racks do not make any noise. The fairing is unnecessary. It would not fit anyways with the Thule cargo boxes. I got those because they were more aerodynamic and sat lower on the racks. Get the landing pads instead of the temp racks.

It is easier to put on and lock down. The "warts" do not affect my MPG. I also had to get the shark fin antenna to prevent the boxes from hitting it.

http://tadashi.priuschat.com/modifications...Box_Rack_System

 

After reading posts (thanks to all) I decided on the SARIS roof rack and Thule Cascade XT1500 cargo box.

SARIS rack was really easy to work with, and although out of production, still available for on-line purchase from various places. The SARIS rack does whistle a bit when car in motion (have not installed the noise reducing rubber strips yet). I paid a little over $200 for the SARIS 59" rack and roof clips. Should work for my canoe as well.

THULE Cascade XT1500 good match for Prius, being shorter ~69-in long does not interfere with open tailgate and also is not too tall so have plenty of clearance under garage. It is easy to attach to SARIS rack and very easy to work with in general. This THULE model widely avail right now, but may be phasing out. I paid like $325 on sale for the Cascade with free shipping from AutoAnything.com

This is first look photo- (see attachment)[attachmentid=10250]

 

Congrats. I like the Thule also since their attachments can work on any size rack without having to purchase special adapters. Also their "claws" can slide back and forth up to about 12 in so I can have it all the way forward to not interfere with the rear hatch.

 

how far apart from each other did you all place your bars? Thule recommends 2 feet between the front bar and back bar. It doesn't seem like that's enough to hold 17 foot kayaks or bikes.

 

I just picked up a Yakima Skybox 16s for an upcoming trip to the beach. The 's' is for short, as the box is only 81 inches in length. It fits crossbar spreads as short as 24†and has quick-Installation mounting hardware that fits round, square and most factory crossbars.

I haven't had it on the roof yet, as I am waiting on my Yakima Q Towers to arrive, but expect a full review when we get back from the beach.

 

After several false starts, and many roof-racks later, this is my latest attempt at racking nirvana.


Not on the roof any longer, but still the same type of rack!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr. Tuco @ Mar 11 2006, 01:35 AM) [snapback]223494[/snapback]</div>

Try this: http://www.backcountryracks.com/index.aspx...r_rack_installs

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priustales @ Mar 9 2007, 11:48 AM) [snapback]402786[/snapback]</div>

I have Thule racks, the first time was a pain because you do have to lock the clips in position and you need to generate about 120 lbs of torque. I did this by standing on each clip and shifting my body weight onto it. Just don't fall.....

After you do this once, the clips stay locked to the bar, and you can easily attach and remove to the car as needed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Aug 6 2007, 09:33 PM) [snapback]491625[/snapback]</div>

Wow you deserve a PhD in roof_rackology. I have not yet tried putting my 17' Grumman canoe on those Saris roof racks, but your trailer idea is attractive since I am not too good at lifting 80-lbs myself anymore...those trailers are not cheap, I know.

 

Here's my setup.
All Thule equipment, about 800$ for all the parts. The shell is the quick-snap deluxe model.

[attachmentid=10972]

 

Those of you using the Saris roof racks, what bike racks are you using?

It looks like I would buy:
58" bar + towers
#20 clips
racks as required

I am looking to carry 2 bikes at this point, I just can't find any guides from Saris. Do I have to use Saris bike racks/rails or can I use those from Thule or Yakima?

It sucks that Saris stopped making roof racks. Its too bad the other common brands haven't done anything to advance roof rack design since they made they started making them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusDiver @ Sep 4 2007, 07:30 PM) [snapback]506980[/snapback]</div>

You are right about the Saris 58" bars and #20 clips. I got my set on eBay at a good price, including fairing and the goods for 3 bikes. I'll try to attach two pictures, one with the Thule box and the other from our 7,500 mile camping trip where the four of us packed most of the camping gear in dry bags and layed them on the roof between the racks front and back and the bike rails side by side, also tucked in under the fairing. This low profile allowed us to get 50 mpg for the trip. Can't locate that picture at the moment. Sorry.

PA P
[attachmentid=11856] [attachmentid=11857]

 

Does anybody know if the 50" Saris bars will work? I would prefer not to have much overhang.

 

I had a Yakima roof rack system on my 1995 Subaru Legacy L, so I went with Yakima on the Prius so I could keep the attachments.

I've only used it a few times; I have some lousy pictures from when I was loading up at IKEA in Tempe, getting ready to drive to Albuquerque:
http://scrye.com/~tkil/photos/2005/2005-12...2-packed-prius/

(Also just about the worst milage I've ever gotten -- climbing the 6k feet (~1800m) from Phoenix to Flagstaff in 120mi had me at 20mpg for a while.)

I've since used it to carry ladders and quite a few other things, but I generally leave them off; by themselves, they cost a few mpg, but the ladder really killed things (it's not horribly aerodynamic).

I haven't had much trouble putting them on or taking them off myself, either. *shrug*