Maybe a silliy question, but here goes..

[benee]

Hi Everybody - new member here. I just got a 2013 Mazda5 Sport automatic. So far so good! I am considering getting a roof rack in the future for cargo on longer family trips. Here's my question:

Why do some people use roof rails that (paralell to the length of the car) and some people just use a roof rack (perpendicular to the length of the car)? It would seem to me that a roof rack (perpendicular to the length of the car) is all that is needed. So what gives? Why do some people get the long roof rails, is it just aesthetic?

 

[DougNuts]

The roof rails are what the cross bars attach to. Cool FYI, the new Subaru Outback cross bars fold into the roof rails for better gas mileage when not in use.

 

[benee]

The roof rails are what the cross bars attach to. Cool FYI, the new Subaru Outback cross bars fold into the roof rails for better gas mileage when not in use.

Cool - but there are some roof racks that are JUST cross bars, right - I think I have seen some INNO ones that are just cross bars, no rails. So the question is, if you can make them with JUST cross bars, what's the point of the rails?

 

[Silentnoise713]

Roof rail is not an option in NA, only Europe and I think Asia. Roof rails only require a coss bar, which is cheaper. Also, roof rails allow adjustable width for various sizes and noise levels. You may run into some accessories that won't fit a fixed roof rack system (but you shouldn't bc it is common width. I also don't fully understand the cost benefit of roof rails . maybe they can carry more weight??

 

[benee]

Roof rail is not an option in NA, only Europe and I think Asia. Roof rails only require a coss bar, which is cheaper. Also, roof rails allow adjustable width for various sizes and noise levels. You may run into some accessories that won't fit a fixed roof rack system (but you shouldn't bc it is common width. I also don't fully understand the cost benefit of roof rails . maybe they can carry more weight??

Ok - I see. I guess roof rails are a little more flexible too if you just wanted to tie something down against the roof, rather than have to mount a cargo box, etc.

 

[thaxman]

Full-time roof rails run an mpg penalty whereas the removable cross-bars that can be attached to the Mazda5 only penalize your mpgs when attached.

 

[Wishmaster]

Just to provide some clarity and all the info...

1. Roof rails are usually an option when buying a vehicle (though some vehicles, like a lot of SUV's and crossovers, have them standard), and they are not an option for North American Mazda 5's

2. Manufacturers offer roof rails because: 1. They think it makes a vehicle look tougher/stronger (to each their own opinion) 2. You always have a good strong surface available for throwing some plywood / a door / mattress / etc up on the roof. 3. They offer a good mounting point for a rack. And the rack is often cheaper as you only need the crossbars and some small adapters, but depending on how much you paid to add the rails in the first place, the total cost may be the same.

3. Racks with well designed factory rails will often have a higher load rating than just a stand-alone roof rack. Good rails help to offset more of the weight of a load across more of the roof's support structure, where a stand-alone rack tends to place most of it's weight right onto it's four attachment points.

4. Rails tend not to increase MPG by any measurable amount because they run lengthwise along most the roofline and are usually integrated into the design of the vehicle. But once you add the cross-bars you will take a MPG hit, the same with a stand-alone rack. This is why when not using your rack or cross bars it's advisable to remove them. Cross bars added to factory integrated rails are usually quicker and easier to un-install/remove and are easier (smaller) to store than stand-alone roof racks.