Roof rack

[calebian21]

Is there seriously no cheaper option than paying $350 for a roof rack?

 

[MikeM.]

Is there seriously no cheaper option than paying $350 for a roof rack?

$350 doesn't seem like a lot of money if it's decent quality and you really need one. But I avoid them like the plague once I understood their true cost (much lower hwy mpg and wind noise in the cabin). I figure out how to fit everything inside. If it won't fit I use a truck.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

$195.02 here

http://mazdagear.com/roof-rack---cx-5.aspx

Cross bars an extra $97.46

http://mazdagear.com/roof-rack-crossbars---cx-5.aspx

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

You may want to consider a hitch and rear carrier if you need more capacity as well....

I do both

http://www.etrailer.com/Best/2016/Mazda/CX-5/Cargo_Carriers

 

[calebian21]

Thanks everyone. I didn't know they lowered your mpg as well.

 

[calebian21]

I was just looking at the roof carrier to put my canoe on because I figured that'd be the easiest carrying method.

 

[MikeM.]

I was just looking at the roof carrier to put my canoe on because I figured that'd be the easiest carrying method.

Oh, yeah, I would use a roof rack for a canoe before I would trailer it. And I would take the rack off when not packing a canoe.

 

[Ride92]

The MPG hit won't be too bad for the factory rack setup and can be almost eliminated by removing the cross bars when not in use. The side rails will not have much if any of an effect on mpg by them self. If you're carrying a canoe, that will hurt the MPG but I'd rather pay a few more bucks in gas then not go canoeing. Almost any setup you look at, OEM or aftermarket, is going to cost north of $300 for the set up.

 

[rjdee]

One factor to consider is the width of your canoe. The usable width of the factory crossbars could be narrower than the gunwales of the canoe.

Also make sure to use bow/stern tiedowns. That canoe is going to catch a lot of wind coming off the windshield and you should have a secondary lines going to the frame of the car. I've seen racks rip right off the car (kayaks, canoe still tied to the crossbar) at highway speeds.

 

[bmninada]

$350 doesn't seem like a lot of money if it's decent quality and you really need one. But I avoid them like the plague once I understood their true cost (much lower hwy mpg and wind noise in the cabin). I figure out how to fit everything inside. If it won't fit I use a truck.

what about sun/moon roof deflector? does it effect MPG. I heard it actually helps MPG

 

[MikeM.]

what about sun/moon roof deflector? does it effect MPG. I heard it actually helps MPG

Don't know, never tried one.

But those roof rack deflectors (plastic panels that ramp up to the forward crossbar) are reported to kill mpg worse than a bare rack.

 

[calebian21]

The MPG hit won't be too bad for the factory rack setup and can be almost eliminated by removing the cross bars when not in use. The side rails will not have much if any of an effect on mpg by them self. If you're carrying a canoe, that will hurt the MPG but I'd rather pay a few more bucks in gas then not go canoeing. Almost any setup you look at, OEM or aftermarket, is going to cost north of $300 for the set up.

Thanks for the info. I may do like you said and just remove the cross bars when not hauling the canoe.

 

[karlmagnum]

Take a look at the Thule and Yakima rack systems also. A bit pricey but they are known to be durable. I have a Surco roof rack that I bought from 4 wheel online. I use it not to haul a canoe but as an extra cargo space especially during long trips.