Moon roof and roof rack?

Thanks for posting that link. Very educational reading there! I like the idea of the OEM rack as I'd only be using it for my two kayaks...I think one is 45 lbs and the other is 40 lbs. Even tossing in the paddles and a life vest I ought to be under 100 ls, but of course I'd confirm that before committing.

So the Rhino bar doesn't interfere with operation of the moon-roof. Is the wind deflector part of the moon-roof? I can see where a deflector might interfere with the fitting of J'Hooks of similar kayak cradles.

 

The pictured wind deflector is a third party add-on.

No the OEM crossbars cannot be moved forward or aft.

 

The wind deflector is an aftermarket add-on, I don't have one. There is zero interference with the Rhino Rack, or the OEM option, I can't speak for the Yakima/Thule but I don't think it's an issue. The OEM rack is only rated for 100lb, but, just a theory/speculation on my part, I feel like that may be more of a limitation that auto manufactures are stuck to for safety ratings etc - I don't recall any OEM rack that exceeds 100lb rated load. You could probably get away with more, or at a minimum it isn't going to require you to weigh out 2 kayaks to make sure you are within spec. I wanted the higher load rating in event I put up more than 2 kayaks (4 yaks, or 2+box, etc).

The OEM option is the cheapest and it is a bolt in solution, it is nice that the bars fold in when not in use so they are always with you (Rhino Rack is easily removable, but then you are storing the bars potentially not with the truck). Yakima/Thule can be removed, but more of a hassle vs a quick disconnect (car washes for example). With a sunroof I wouldn't want the bar sitting over it all the time when I'm not carrying the Kayaks, and I didn't like the idea of their clips clamping against the paint and through the molding in the doors.

If you don't plan on expanding or carrying more than +/-100lb, the OEM rack is a great choice.

The only option I saw for an adjustable crossbar is with Rhino Rack, but it's another $125 over what I paid ($575'ish self install/$725'ish installed) and it was not worth it to me given the short cab size - I can't foresee a situation where I'd want to adjust the bars. OEM and Rhino Rack are fixed point, I believe even Yakima/Thule options require them to be measured and installed in a fixed location on the roof.

An advantage on Rhino Rack is if you purchase their accessories they have options to install into the channel on the crossbar, easier install - but those accessories wouldn't be compatible with a standard crossbar that you might have on a second vehicle. I'm taking my Subaru down closer to season to see if they can fit fixed rhino rack bars ($85) to replace stock - that will make the decision on which Kayak options I go with.

 

I know this is not a great picture, but I put one Yakima crossbar on the cab roof rack, and one Yakima Outdoorsman rack in the bed. This allows me to adjust the gap for longer or shorter boats (I have a 10-foot river boat and an 18-foot sea kayak). You can also see the paddles on the rack configuration. And I virtually ALWAYS have the moon-roof open.

 

That might be an issue - depend on the kayak I suppose. Some of the "broader" kayaks might touch the roof. I don't believe that would be an issue with the two I'd carry, but it's something I'd want to check.

 

Thanks for posting that photo. That's quite a load up there!<g>

I would mount my two kayaks on their sides using J-hooks, so their sides might come down toward the roof a bit more than kayaks that are placed on their top or bottom.

 

It's really a non issue, the bars arent going to be so far apart and so low profile to the roof that the kayaks are going to bottom out on the roof.

The aftermarket options I looked at also had fixed mounting locations.

 

Thanks. I was concerned the OEM rack looked a bit lower than the after market ones. I have a Yakima on my Duramax today and it's as you say a non-issue, and those bars are fixed also. But it looks a little higher than the OEM bars......hard to tell without a tape measure and of course the bar spacing on my larger truck is also fixed.

 

Actually, friends and I have carried as many as 5-6 kayaks for river "shuttling". We wouldn't go very far, or at highway speeds with that kind of load, but for a quick run to the river put-in it will work. And although it's not visible in the picture above, I have a full Yakima fairing on the front bar for wind deflection when driving without boats. That touches down right BEHIND the moon-roof.

 

I have a after market roof rack with RTT and the moon roof will pop up and open without issue.

 

JH TACO

Thats the exact set-up im working on. Just installed my OEM roof rack last night now i just need the ladder rack bar like that. Where did you get just one? Looks perfect!