Anyone have any luck creating a DIY roof rack? I'm looking to go on a roadtrip this summer and would like the extra storage space. I like to make things out of materials I already have instead of buying new stuff. Pics or videos would be appreciated.
While I admire your make it happen attitude how about Craigslist, you can find used racks for pennies on the dollar.
Have you looked at this for ideas - or perhaps to just buy = $68. and free shipping? 54" Aluminum Silver Roof Rack Cross Bars Carrier Window Frame Kit Universal SK11 | eBay It supposedly will fit a Prius - I specifically checked for a 2006. Has anyone tried one of these? Is this the best price I'm likely to find? The $48. roof rack said it would not fit a 2006 Prius. Thanks - David
Well, hearing nothing from Forum members, I have ordered one ... Will report back with my experiences after it is delivered Feb 2nd.
Sorry no one has replied. If I'm buying a removable rack I like to buy to a vehicle specific rack system. Different cars have the structural elements of the roof in varying locations so universal might not mean ideal. They are more expensive but I worry about heavy loads and high speeds. Good Luck Dan
Good points but after Christmas bills arrive buying anything new challenged an already scary budget ... $68. versus $300. - $600. for a rack makes the experiment worthwhile ... I'll tie stuff down real well!
That's why I suggested Craigslist to save a whole lot. Securing the load is a good thing, I worry more about the four small contact areas of the mounts that hold everything to the car. The Thule and Yakima mounts are vehicle specific. For a G2 Prius the front edge of the towers should be located 12 inches from the front edge of the roof and then locate your rear towers by spacing the crossbars 24 inches center to center. That is the recommendation from Thule for my rack. Dan
I reconfigure my Thule rack for what I need by buying the various components needed. I swap it back and forth between my my 2004 and 2010 Prii, and have also used it on the trunk lid of the old Caddy brougham I used to own. Bill the Engineer
I have two heavy-duty 4-magnet antenna mounts on the roof already. I'll look at the placement & support of the $68. racks. I can always supplement with thick rubber blocks combined with the 4-mag mounts. Between tie-downs, the rack mounts, & supplemental mods - the goal will be that should any one element fail the others will compensate.
Handygeek...... Did you ever install the eBay roof rack? Curious how well it worked...... I Would consider them depending on how they worked out for you...
It required a little tinkering but worked perfectly. As you can see it handled a bunch of heavy galvanized steel tower sections. Drove from just NW of Savannah to Orlando with that load - got lots of looks. I did also strap them front to back ... btw ... there isn't much solid in front to tie to!
This is how I drove to Italy this summer. Bought a set of Thule with specific kitset for a gen 2 Prius and already had the Thule Wing bars from an other car. The set was quite cheap second hand, about €80 in total and was still brand new. Bought the roof case second hand for €75, also like new. There's a good second hand market in the Netherlands, you can always buy new but first do a proper search and save a lot of money!! Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A515F met Tapatalk
