Just thought I would share some pics of my completed roof rack project on my 2014 PIP. The primary purpose of this rack to transport Longboards to local beach and back.... 45mins to 1hr. So did not want to install a system with door hooks due to the lack on span between racks being not wide enough IMHO to accommodate 10' boards. And since I wanted to maximize the spread for my surfboards. I also wanted to bring the bars closer to the 35" standard to accommodate other rack accessories from time to time. I chose round bars because any of the square of aero options would be off angle due to to the extreme arch of the Prius roof line. Pictures shows bar span at 46". System consist of full length roof rails, Yakima Landing Pad 1, control towers and 48" round bars. I remove the system when not hauling and it fits nicely in the trunk. One bar drops perfectly into the removed trunk privacy canvas cover holder and then I velcro strap the other one to it. Keeps the rack with my at all times and keeps the MPG & noise minimized. My back windows are limo tinted so I don't use the retractable canvas cover. Here are some pics to help explain and let others get some ideas for their rack project. Doug
How much weight total (boards + rack) is on the roof? Does the roof flex under the weight when fully loaded? Good thing about using your system is that it distributes the weight across the whole side of the roof. SCH-I535
only had 1 board on it so far about 15# so don't have a lot experience with load, but this thing is rock solid both pulling up, pushing sideways and down, No roof flex just the care suspension rocking and rolling. Plan on buy an open Yakima basket for road trips. Most of the stock clip on units say 125 to 160 #s. I doubt I would ever exceed that much downward load. My main concern is wing or sail effect from large surfboards.
Yakima does make rails as well as other companys, they are all mostly interchangeable. The rails on my PIP are bulk cut to size rails, with allowed them to be cut pretty close to the entire length of the roof. The rails are attached to the roof with stainless steel machine screws that are into plus nuts. Plus nuts are basically a threaded rivet. Imagine a drywall toggle that expands once inserted into the drilled hole.
