Thule Roof Rack advice

Get orignal black bars with aero feet and Prius fit kit. More used parts, stock parts and toy carriers available. Very solid. Faring is waste of $, will not decrease the wind noise much and will interfear with tieing down your load. Get wider bars to carry more, say 56/58. you will hit your head on them but for the times you use it you will like the wider bars, say to carry 2 kayaks. You can always make them shorter, using extension kit is not a good option. Skip the locks unless you plan on leaving the rack on all year, then get the locks. MPG will go down with rack thats why I try to remove it as soon as the trip is over, except ski season with a ski box. That stays on all winter.

 

I have an old Thule system, I think the 400 Aero foot. Thule website will not tell you that there is a fit kit compatible with the Prius for the old system (Fit Kit 2124). Thule will guide you to and try to sell you the newest foot system they have the 480, and set you back over $400.

Don't believe the hype; if you have an old Thule system use it. If in the market, see if you can get one these older systems used (they are rock solid and don't rust, or mine hasn't) and pick up the 2124 fit kit.

PS: noticed that somebody else posted about using roof racks but was unconcerned about their glass roof Prius. I've used my Thule racks for over 10 years now, and noticed that when they are well mounted the door frames will warp slightly (doors close differently). I WOULD be concerned about using roof racks with a glass roof for fear of putting tension on the glass that it was not made to handle. Just saying, if you have experience otherwise, then post.

 

I had a roof rack on my previous car for 10 years and found that most of the time the bike would end up in the trunk/rear seat anyways. When it was on the roof it would kill highway MPG badly.

Still have the rack on minivan to carry tandem.

 

I have had Thule racks, and think they are overrated. The plastic parts fade and the metal crossbars scratch too easily and rust. I recommend looking into other makers, but I have no advice there. I don't carry boats, so I use a hitch rack.