CX-5 and Roof Racks ??
- Thread starter MrM1
- Start date
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- Miata and CX-5
If you don't mind the way the roof rack looks, then go for it.
I think it's not only functional but I like the way it looks. I was going to buy and install the side rails myself but when I found the vehicle I purchased it already had them installed. Cost me a few dollars more but it was probably worth not having to do it myself. I still need to buy the cross bars. As a skier, the roof rack is essential when I have a car full of people. There's also something to be said for the aesthetics. While our CX-5's are nice looking cars, they should also look like an SUV! The roof rack just adds that little bit of utilitarian attitude.
I wouldn't buy them for their looks because of the hit on performance. Added drag at high speed increases fuel consumption and makes the car feel slightly more sluggish at higher speeds (and then there is the additional wind noise). Extra roof weight doesn't help cornering either. That's why I avoid needing a rack.
Unless you need a rack on a very regular basis it's better to go with one that is easily removable and can hang in your garage when it's not needed.
I've skied a few times with four adults in the car and all the gear fits in the center split seat fold-down. This wouldn't work for backcountry skiing where everyone has big packs and food, etc. but for lift serviced skiing it works great.
That would never work for me as my typical ski trips would be 4 of us going away for a long weekend. Between our luggage, boots, etc. I definitely need to put the skis on a rack.
I don't think the side rails by themselves really do much to hurt the gas mileage. The cross bars would be a slight detriment and add a little more noise, but I'm used to it after 7+ years of having the same on my Tribeca.
I don't think the side rails by themselves really do much to hurt the gas mileage. The cross bars would be a slight detriment and add a little more noise, but I'm used to it after 7+ years of having the same on my Tribeca.
Chris_Top_Her
Contributor
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- San Antonio, Texas
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- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
I have rails and only Install the rack when needed.
I agree, four people, long weekend you would want a bigger car. Or you put a roof rack on for the weekend.
I too was hesitant to install roof rails, but driving with the rails only has not impacted my fuel economy in any measurable way.
Yes but then u will have gaps in the black rubber weather strip ... See install instructions in reverse ....
http://ep.yimg.com/ty/cdn/yhst-24809172479195/cx5roofrails.pdf
http://ep.yimg.com/ty/cdn/yhst-24809172479195/cx5roofrails.pdf
Oh wow .... I'm brain dead and one track minded ... I was not even thinking bike on roof rack. Since I had a hitch rack I was also exploring the hitch option for the bikes ... But I could just as easy get bike rails ... What bike rails do u have to attack to the roof rack?
I will still need to get the hitch to tow he jet ski around the corner to the boat ramp though.
Be careful when looking at bike carrier trays as many of them are too long to fit on top of the CX-5 and the factory rack without being turned around backwards. I hate the way backwards racks look for bikes! I have Yakima forklifts that I cut 4" off in order to clear the rear hatch on my Protege5 and they are about an inch to inch and half too long to fit the factory roof rack. I'm looking into the Thule areobars in black and seeing if I can't figure out a way to mount them directly to the roof where the factory side rails would install. That would allow the front cross bar to be a bit further forward. As for bike carriers, if you're looking for fork mount ones, thule makes some called The sprint which have a telescoping rear wheel tray that move in and out. These would appear to be much shorter then the Forklifts I have and would only need to be extended when using the bike is on the rack. I doubt the lift gate would be able to be fully opened with a bike up top due to the rear hatch hitting the tires.
Thanks for the pointer. Will try it out sometime.
do you know if they sell the rubber strip to cover the gaps once the rails are removed?
I'm Sure you can purchase them. But a quick Google search did not locate them. I am guessing because usually they get cut when installing roof racks and roof racks probably do not often get removed requiring new Ditch covers. But I would bet your Mazda Dealer could get them ... but I will look for them to be in the $200 range per pair.
