Weight limits on roof racks

[jogosub]

2013 OB has an ackward/odd design with swing out aero cross bars. You cannot really add aftermarket towers and crossbars because there is no way to have those towers attached to the factory rack...

[bbrock]

Smeric, I installed the box on 11/11 after finally picking it up at REI. I like it, but it does rub my tailgate. I adjusted as you mentioned with one set of clamps all the way back and one moved slightly forward as needed, but it rubs. This is b/c I have a very old Boa short tray bike rack on one side. That needs at least a 33" spread (even at that my short tray is titled down a little with the tire in it). When you said you moved your rear bar forward 5 or 8" (I can't remember which is was now) and you were able to flank the sides with your bike trays, do you have full length bike trays? Full length trays show that they can have narrower cross bar spreads. I am thinking of what to do - either sell these old Boa carriers, pick up a Yakima Frontloader, or just not care about the minor touching of the tailgate to the Skybox.

Subiesailor, where did you put your heavy duty clear tape - the box or your tailgate? You mentioned you put on some tape when you have the box on your ride due to rubbing/contact.

[smeric]

bbrock,
My bike trays are full-length (Yakima "Lockjaw," I think) and don't require front wheel removal, so I do have a little more flexibility on the cross-bar spread.
To answer your other question, yes, I leave the bike trays in place all the time and only put the box on between them when I need it.
I'll try to get some precise measurements on my cross-bar position and spread if that would help.

[Subaroo]

As for my Yakima Box, I glued some closed cell foam floor mat to the end that overhangs the liftgate. It still rubs a bit when I open it, but it is better than hitting the hard plastic and rubbing along the paint. I like Subiesailor's idea of the tape, too late for me, but others may benefit from it.

[bbrock]

Yes, Smeric, I would be curious to know your crossbar specs/measurements you were referring to. Also, to you or anyone, do you get whistling when you have the cargo box up top? I seem to be getting some whistling w/ the box on. Maybe for the short duration I just had the 58" bars up there alone w/out the box, there was also a whistle. I have since had the box up there and probably will keep it up there until my wife and I move, eventually, and I can have more space in order to take it off. No room in our apartment; eventually, moving to a house. FWIW, I did not install Yakima end caps b/c I did not want to have to keep replacing them if I took the bars off the railgrabs. Instead, I bought some rubber chair end tips at Lowes. I think they are 1" or 1 1/8"; I went in the store w/ the bar and tried them out on the bar. Before I put them on, I put sanded off of the rust and then put electrical tape on the ends, put them on the railgrabs, then put the rubber chair tips. It works nicely. I bring this up b/c I am not sure if that would have any significant affect on the whistling I hear. I believe most of the whistling is created by the cargo box. It is what it is; eventually, I will get used to it.

I saw/read that you should not use a wind fairing if you have a box up top. That is correct, right? I don't see how a fairing would help any w/ a box up top.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by nspekter

I lost a wide 14' kayak that was on Thule J-bars on the factory crossbars. The kayak weighs less than 70 lbs. so I was under the weight limit, but there was a strong crosswind. It just ripped the crossbars off the rails and twisted the J-bars. This was on I-94 in Michigan. Since then I've gone to Thule crossbars and feet with the kayak horizontal and haven't had any problems.
The kayak survived with just some scratches and a broken rudder keeper. Luckily it sailed off to the shoulder and there wasn't any traffic nearby.

The twist factor on long hulls can twist the boat and the rack gear right off the roof. That is why a bow line should be used - it keeps the hull from twisting free of the rack by holding the bow pointed in the correct direction.

The little under hood - nylon webbing fender mounted loops are great for this. You can tuck them under the hood when not in use - or simply pull them out passing them through the hood vs fender gap and tie the bow to them. Slick simple little fix for the tie down issue on the front end.

[Subaroo]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

The little under hood - nylon webbing fender mounted loops are great for this.

subiesailor, do you have a photo of these, please? I would like to do the same for my car. The canoe and kayak would benefit from these.

[subiesailor]

This is an example not where I bough mine. Got mine at the local REI store
Thule Hood Loop Strap - Hood Anchor Straps

Simple nylon webbing strap with a grommet in it. Pop the hood on your car the inside fender will have a few bolts in it along the edge of the hood vs fender space. Remove a bolt and bolt it back down passing through the grommet. The strap can lay under the hood when not being used- simply pop the hood flip them out and shut the hood and you have tie down points for the bow line etc. Be careful you don't wrench down super tight as you can actually crush / damage the hull you want two lines tied just tight enough to keep the bow held center ie pointed the correct direction.

The straps you lash across the mid section to the rack is the primary support / way you hold the hull on the car - the bow and or stern lines simply keep the hull from being twisted by the wind both twisting in the rack and actually twisting ie working the hull from having wind loads on the ends acting like a lever tweaking the hull or rack or both etc.

[Subaroo]

Thanks subiesailor, REI it is. I didn't know they made such a thing. I had a chain across the tie downs under my car and it was handy for a while, but I finally took it off. These beat reaching under the car...

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Subaroo

Thanks subiesailor, REI it is. I didn't know they made such a thing. I had a chain across the tie downs under my car and it was handy for a while, but I finally took it off. These beat reaching under the car...

NP another poster here posted them about a year or so ago. I picked up two sets one for me and one for my dad. Gave them to him as part of his Fathers Day gift. You should have seen the tie down job he was doing to the corners of the bumper on his explorer ha ha!!! They would come loose driving down rough roads. He was really happy to see them.