OEM Cross Bars / Roof Rack

Great to know that the wind noise is unnoticeable at high speed. I read earlier review on 2017 PRIME with very loud noise. I wonder if Toyota has improved the OEM roof rack somehow? The price is just right too. Much better than Yakima kit IIRC.

 

Pics of older Part # PW30147005 and new old kid had Part # PW30147009 looks identical. The part numbers seems to be interchangeable.
Toyota Prius Removable Cross Bars - With Keys - PW30147005 - Genuine Toyota Accessory
Not sure if they are different in anyway. Noise level maybe very subjective thing and may change in different conditions, so I am not sure. Earlier when I got my 2017 PRIME, I was worried about the smaller cargo area and explored the possible roof rack, but since then I have discovered that my use case for this car is such that I don't use rear seats at all, and having the seats folded allowed plenty of cargo space for most uses. Also, since then, I have purchased used Pathfinder Hybrid SUV for people and cargo carrying trips.

I don't remember which specific Yakima rack system I was looking at, but any one of the systems are priced higher than OEM parts.
Roof Rack Systems– Yakima

 

Speaking of cross bars - how do you store them when they are removed from the car?
I'm looking for some sort of cloth-like bag with a drawstring closure but haven't found anything suitable yet.
Any ideas?

 

Do you find them beneficial so far? I’ve been on the fence about adding them, but after having a 4Runner, it seems like I sometimes run out of space. Though last week I moved a good amount in it and was surprised!

 

I don't plan on using them on a regular basis. I wanted them for the times I need to get something big home. Like lumber or an outdoor patio table. They *ARE* real handy helping me find my car in a parking lot!

 

Have you done any damage too the roof of the car as the metal is very thin on these new cars! Just be carefull or you will loose the aerodynamics of the car due to dents. I managed one little dent!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

The manual says max load is 152 lbs evenly distributed, i.e. no more than 76 lbs per bar. Should be good as long as you don't exceed that.

 

The edge of the roof where the rack sits is usually heavily reinforced for crash safety. I wouldn't worry about dents.

 

Hi I'm new here and just got a 2020 Prime and set of used OEM roof rack. And I realized that I am missing a set of plastic inserts, and I cannot find the part number for them. Do I really need them? Thanks.

 

I got the roof racks from Craigslist and it does not come with the insert, and the seller don't have them installed in their car too. Will try dealer, hopefully they can find the part.

 

I just took my crossbars off today and took a look at the insert.
It has a hole in the center that accepts a pin on the crossbar mounting bracket.
I would say its important to have that insert.
Not only does it keep the pin from moving around in the larger hole, but because its plastic it protects the paint on both the roof rail hole and the crossbar pin from getting scraped away.
You might be able to get away with wrapping some plastic electical tape or duct tape around the mounting pins to build them up to the diameter of the hole, but I would get the inserts if I were you.

 

The wind noise is definitely noticable. At first I thought it wasn't bad enough to be objectionable, but as time went on it got to be annoying and I finally took the bars off. I'll put them on if I need to haul anything but I'm keeping them off for the coming winter.
I also worry about going through a carwash with them on. Anyone have any experience with that?