2013 Factory Cross Bar Load

All the various parts of the rack even the aftermarket rack are impacted by the weight. 150lbs is lots of weight for 4 small points of contact to hold. These giant roof boxes crack me up given large bulky light stuff works but smaller heavier items easily can be packed in these huge boxes and easily push the weight limit of the feet that hold each end of the bar in place.

I've run just a hair over 150lbs during a Triatholon trip. On Yakima bars and feet clipped to real rain gutters. Very bad storm and highway speeds we actually had the rear feet come loose. What happens is that the bar bends and stresses the feet and that is where your failure happens. For the stock bars 150lbs is for sure as far as I would go especially with lots of road miles involved. Every fuel up I would also suggest you do a very close inspection to all the fittings and brackets stock rack or otherwise. Wind - vibration etc can loosen up the fittings so checking them and remounting them or snugging them up isn't uncommon during long trips.

Make sure you have a allen wrench that fits the stock bar screw that holds the fixed side of the cross bar in place. Chances are you will never ever need to mess with it but the one time you find it working loose you will wish you had a random allen wrench laying in the bottom of the glove box.

billmang said:

I would consider a basket for luggage, etc. but like the ability to lock a box as we're going to be on the road camping for about 2 months so there will be plenty of time that the car is left alone in a parking lot, etc. Also a box should help with aerodynamics.

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Box is far superior to the basket in every way except one - hauling the chain saw and greasy yucky stuff and a stick or two of fire wood the basket is king.

The box for sure is much easier on the fuel budget - what one can't see they are less likely to mess with. Your stuff stays clean, dry etc. So your on the right path regarding the box.

I pack all the heavy stuff as low to or on the rear floor in the back of the car. If there are only two of you - keep in mind the foot wells behind the front seats make great places to toss small duffel bags. All the crazy camping and very loaded trips I've done I always found that I seldom like to have the rear seat down given it becomes much harder to secure stuff in the possible accident situation. The thought of that battery powered lantern trying to smash the back of my head in keeps my interest in having the seat back up as much as possible ;-) I've also strapped duffel bags into the seat belts on the rear seat on various trips also.

Sounds like water might be an item your hauling a bunch of. I found that I generally hauled two types of water jugs. The softer/flexible squareish larger 2gallon jugs I would pick up close to where our destination is and keep the transporting of these to a minimum given I always managed to split a corner on them when carrying them longer distances. For the longer distance back up water supply I like those tougher 1 gallon clear plastic jugs which are also less likely to taint the water taste if left in a hot car for a while etc. Those are also easier to stuff into tight spots in the back of the car.

I've used the solar shower and pending your type of adventure one of those might seem like a silly expense but could turn out to be the top favorite item you pack. So keep that in mind.

This might seem crazy but for your extended trip having off the ground sleeping could make the trip FAR FAR more enjoyable. You might consider adding a cot to the list of things your taking. I've spent 15days sleeping on the ground after about day 12 you feel as if your really not getting any sleep the cot would seem like heaven.

Sounds like a great trip! Post your adventures lots of us like to do trips and you might find a fantastic place that folks should add to their bucket list..