Best Roof Rack System for 2006 Prius?

I saw someone at the dealership the other day with the Yakima bars. They looked very nice but I think it would deform the rubber window molding over time.

 

I have the Yakima rack for my Prius and I can attest that the Q towers with the proper clips do not deform the primary door seal, they do not even touch the secondary door seal. Just my .02

 

If you are targeting transporting bikes, why not
consider a hitch-mounted rack instead? They
are easier to attach and load, do not significantly
reduce your mileage, have minimal exposed hardware
when the rack is detached, and you don't run the risk
of inadvertently smashing your cargo against your
garage door.

 

Perhaps he/she wanted to carry 4 bikes held by the wheels - something it turns out none of the bike racks or Prius hitches are capable of doing without going over the tongue weight limit.

 

Here's my 2 cents:

I have a 2008 with a bolt through the roof like Darells (I used his great site for the idea, parts, etc.). I also have a 2" rear hitch. My conclusions:
- Bolt thru roof is great. I would NOT use clamps.
- MPG is worse on roof than back but not by much
- I use the roof more than the hitch. I like the bike up top, I worry about getting rear ended (its happened twice in 2 years). My bikes are $$$ and twice a year I go on a 2000 mile trip with two $$ bikes on the car. If I was rear ended on that trip I'd be upset andout alot of $
- Rear hitch mounts move aroundalot. I have modified mine but it still moves alot.
- Ignore the comment on hitch tongue weight. I've had 4 big bikes on the hitch mount (29r MTB, tandem, Surley Big Dummy,etc) and it holds fine.
- For long trips with 1 bike, I put it inside. For 2k mile trip, the MPG difference covers meals Its also locked up better.
- I welded support to the 2" hitch, it rotated WAY too much without xtra support.

 

So...your hitch moves around a lot, you welded support to it to keep it from rotating to much - but don't worry about the hitch tongue weight, using the hitch is great? LOL

I am rather curious what you welded to reinforce the hitch?

Lots of things work for someone once, then fail for other people, having my bikes tumble off the back probably isn't worth the risk. What rack did you use? As I mentioned, a rack that holds the bikes by the frame seemed fine for hauling for bikes (edit - without exceeding the hitch tongue weight), it was the tray-style racks that weighed much more and put the bike farther away from the car/hitch that seemed to be the problem.

 

Lol, I agree about not wanting to drill into the car, but was the rest of the post a joke? A plasma tv?

 

Buy a Thule clamp on and be done with it.

Anytime you have a roof rack with clamping devices there is a good chance for a bit of scuffed paint. But the utility and fun delivered is well worth it.

 

Fit your car with your choice of accessories here: Thule - Thule Racks - Rack Fit Guide#

You can buy online from several places, or you can support your local paddle or bike shop and buy it there. The local guys should install it for you, which may be a plus.
Price is dependent on where you buy and what add-ons you select (fairing, lock cores, carriers, etc).
Expect a layout of several C notes, again depending on what you want.
My rack is old, models change, so pick what you need from the fit guide.

I have made several trips to your state with my human powered devices, rock solid at 80 MPH.

Glad to help and good luck.

 

I just gotta know - did any of those trips involve strapping a plasma tv to the roof?

 

Ah. While I kinda like your lazyboy idea, as you've self identified yourself as the kind of obnoxious asshat who drives to a wilderness campground to be loud and obnoxious blaring his tv doing what he could do just as well at his house or in his back yard, I welcome the natural result of strapping a plasma tv to a roof rack, and see no need to dissuade you. By all means - let us know how it goes.

 

Lots of other stuff but so far no TV