Question about roof rack to carry cargo boxes

I am wondering what some of the least expensive options are for carrying a roof top cargo box. I was thinking about putting on the OEM roof rack but want to make sure it would be compatible with my cargo box first. I have a Thule Cascade XT cargo box.

I am also torn between using a rack that attaches in the manner that the OEM rack attaches to the cab or using something like the thule system with the footpads. I have a Thule rack on my jetta with the footpads and had every intention to remove it at least every now and then but it has stayed put for 13 years and I have noticed that is is hard to clean around the pads and has some issues with the clear coat. I am concerned about that happening with a brand new truck.

We just added a softtopper and I am currently not interested in any options for carrying the cargo box on any type of bed rack.

I look forward to hearing what you guys suggest.

 

OEM roofrack is probably the cheapest and most effective way to carry your cargo box. Looks like it will fit no problem. The OEM rack fits in the channels so they don’t really affect anything on the paint.

 

Do you happen to know what the spread is between the crossbars on the oem rack?

 

The cross bars fold in to eliminate wind noise when not in use. When deployed, the cross bars are about 40.5” apart in the inside edges. Cross bars are 2.75” wide. Outer edge to outer edge is 46”

I got this from another members measurements.

 

Thanks, time to go measure the attachment points of the cargo box and see if that would work.

 

No problem. I tried to check for any adjustment abilities, couldn’t find anything, but looks like the cross bars might be 2.5”, not 2.75”. Hard to say for sure. I don’t have one or else I’d check for you

 

Me: "I think I'm gonna get a roof rack so I can carry one of those cargo boxes"
My brother: "Did you buy a truck without a bed?"
haha

 

Your brother has a point.

 

Looks like center to center on the attachment points spread out as far as they will go is 38 inches.

 

This seems like a good time to ask; what's the deal with the 100lb weight limit on the OEM rack? Is it due to the rack's mounting points, the rack itself, or the roof of the truck? ie, what is going to break when I overload it?

 

Ouch. There has to be a way to make it work.