Roof Rack For The Mazda5 Thread

[Outlander]

Looks like it may take few minutes. It is possible to leave the bases in place - special covers are included. In this case you do not need to uninstall the whole construction, just remofe cross bars and stays.

I have Thule roof rack on my wife's Odyssey and it does not seems to be easier to take it off the roof.

I'm telling this again - Inno looks like very high quality and easy to use.

(On the picture bases, you can keep on, are pointed.)

 

[sensinitas]

I'm curious. Those of you who bought the Inno racks - are they easy to put on and take off? I know that the OEM ones just take a couple of minutes. I don't want to leave any rack on for long periods of time, but would love the versatility the Inno has with its many options.

What part of the rack are you speaking of? The actual attachments, or literally the ENTIRE rack system? The attachments are quick, and the crossbar assembly doesn't take long either.

 

[Outlander]

Hello!
Finally, here's my setup...
Thule Square Bar Roof Rack System.. ($243.00 from orsdirect, free shipping)
Yakima Skybox 18 (18 cu.ft. $367.00 from easternmountainsports)

We need this setup for the extra storage..

Looks perfect. If I would go with the box I would go with something like this.
Are you driving with the box all the time or just for travel occasions?

How it affects the mileage?

 

[Outlander]

What part of the rack are you speaking of? The actual attachments, or literally the ENTIRE rack system? The attachments are quick, and the crossbar assembly doesn't take long either.

Actually did not clock myself with Mazda yet, but on Odyssey it was much quicker to remove the entire rack then take off the attachments (two Thule velo vise ). The Inno rack does not look less convenient than Thule's.
However you are absolutely right - either way should not be time consuming.

 

[red headz]

Seems like this thread is moving finally.

I am leaning towards Inno based on price. Then Thule just because I like their stuff & Yakima last due to the clip issue.

However - I have yet to see any M5's with a sunroof & a non-Mazda roof rack.

The OEM Mazda allows for the sunroof to be opened, but it's soo tall (to allow for the sunroof, I get it.

But I'm still wondering about Inno and Thule with our sunroof? (shrug)

michael.

 

[Outlander]

It might help - the Inno cross bar stands above the roof a little bit more than 3in. The attachments may take some space too.
Just check how high the sun roof goes above cross bar line.

 

[Garry Ganu]

Looks perfect. If I would go with the box I would go with something like this.
Are you driving with the box all the time or just for travel occasions?

How it affects the mileage?

Thanks!
Travel. I'll be removing the box once i get the fairings i ordered..
As far as the mpg is concerned, i still have no idea.. but base from air resistance I'm experiencing.. I'll be dropping from 28 to 23.. i think.
I'll post the figures once i had 2 to 3 full-tanks..

 

[EZPs_whip]

That setup looks cool!

Garry - looks sweet! I was thinking of getting the same Thule rack but the Thule Atlantis 1800 box instead -- although, after seeing your setup, the Yakima sky box is making me reconsider. I initially thought that a 92 inch long box would be too long and might have more overhang up front to keep in from hitting the antenna. As it is, the Cascade XT 1700 box that DocMagoo has seems fairly long at 91 inches - and that's why I was looking into the Atlantis 1800, which is only 84 inches long. The fact that the Yakima box is wedge-shaped in the back seems to help with the angle of the whip antenna also.

Since you still have your box on the roof, I was wondering if you could post any more pictures of your setup - one directly from the side and one from the front if possible. Also, can you tell me what the rack+box adds to the height of the M5 (64.2inches). I want to see if I'll be able to drive into the garage without having to take the box off.

What I'm loving about the Sky Box is the wedge shape and the great price!!! But.... what I don't like about it is that, for the same cu ft as the Atlantis, it weighs 8lbs more (not much, but still about a gallon of H2O) - and that it has a matte black finish which will most likely fade over time - since it has not UV resistence, not to mention that the matte finish would nicely hold onto the bugs it comes into contact with at 70mph. I know there is a glossy silver one but I want black, plus the silver is more $$.

BTW, anybody know if the weight capacity for this Thule 460 Foot Pack/3069 Fit Kit/50" bars will also be 165lbs like the OEM Thule Mazda rack (don't know if this is a roof limitation or a rack limitation...).

Anybody recommend one box over the other? Here are the specs for both boxes - decisions... decisions.....

THULE Atlantis 1800 Roof Box, Black
$579.00
44 lb.
18 cu. ft.
84 in.
34.4 in.
16.9 in.
Dual Side opening
6-8 pairs skis

YAKIMA Sky Box 18 Roof Box, Black
$367.20
52 lb.
18 cu. ft.
92 in.
36 in.
16 in.
Dual Side opening
6-8 pairs skis

 

[Garry Ganu]

I have an average of 24.7 mpg when the yakima box is installed.

EZPs_whip
I'm so sorry i can't help you with the total height as i've removed it already since i receive the fairings(a must) i ordered.
here are the pictures though..

also, you can still slide the whole box towards the antenna.. i set it up like this just to balance the weight.

Thanks everyone!

 

[EZPs_whip]

Awesome, thanks for the pics. Looks exactly like what I want. I might have to be a copycat BTW, can you manage to lift and put the box on the roof by yourself? I have no problem lifting 52 lbs. but I've never had to lift something that as big and weighed 52 lbs - and no I'm not a wuss... Thanks Gary.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

I have the slightly lower profile box to the one on Garry Ganus. It holds 4 sets of skis comfortabley and even my wife (5'4" 130lbs) can put it on the 5 herself. She has to use a step ladder to get it hooked but can pick it up and slide it up there herself. Gas mileage does go in the toilet though so I take it off when not in use.

 

[OilGuy]

GG, what's that extra mirror off your back window?

 

[EZPs_whip]

GG, what's that extra mirror off your back window?

It's a "rear under mirror".
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123735708

GG, does that thing work well?

 

[EZPs_whip]

I have the slightly lower profile box to the one on Garry Ganus.

Can you please share details of the box - i.e. make/model/cu.ft.

 

[BOCjer]

Okay,

So looking at the photos on http://www.mazdarack.com/f/index.html I see that there are two height possibilities from Thule, one of which is not suggested for vehicles with a sunroof as it has a lower overall height.

I have a 5 without the sunroof / moonroof and i have the 'Aero bar' thule racks with the taller (751XT @ 11.5cm) towers which will allow the moonroof to open.
Is there anyone out there with a moonroof and Thule racks which do not offer the clearance (753XT @ 8.5cm) that you need, who is interested in swapping towers?

This way you'll get the racks you need to be able to open your moonroof all the way, and I'll still have racks that work.

If anyone is interested pm me and i'll try to get photos etc. on the way too.

~j~

 

[red headz]

Yes!!! I would like to swap.

I need the height. We have a sunroof.

michael.

 

[red headz]

(canada)

I don't speak French.

But I am still very interested in swapping my low towers for your high towers!(hippy)

michael.
located in Tacoma, WA, 98407

 

[DoubleT]

Thule racks Dealer in Greater Toronto Area.

I'm ready to buy the Thule racks for my 2008 Mazda (no sun roof). Any suggestions for a retail store with the best price in GTA area? So far I have looked at Rack Attack, Mississauga, price $389 (no locks and the lower cost bars). Need the stuff in a week.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Here is a decent pic of the Thule on the 5.

 

[MamaLizzy]

Mazda5 Roof Rack

Took forever and a day to get my roof rack from the dealer (total of like 3 months!)

Does anyone have a manual on how to take them off when not in use?? I had mine put on at the dealership, and they didn't save the instructions on how to remove them!