Well, can't say I didn't try.

I bought this from SportsRack today, only to find out that it is totally unfit (sorry) for the ELEMENT. It was returned within 30 minutes. The spacing of the factory crossbars (approx. 28" on center) looked questionable to me in relation to the brackets, but I was assured by the SportsRack staff that it would fit...NOT.

As cool as it looks, save yourself some time and trouble.

Guess I'll now be looking at a Thule Sidekick, Cascade 1500, or Yakima Load Warrior.

http://www.sportsrack.com/sportsrack/assets/product_images/PAAAAAMALAIBHFAB.jpg

I assume this mounts via 4 saddles that fit between pairs of crossbars on the basket. Is the problem that, however you place these saddles on the basket, their spacing isn't a reasonable match to the fixed spacing between the Element's crossbars?

paulj

[quote:4f24555ea3=" "]...The spacing of the factory crossbars (approx. 28" on center) looked questionable to me in relation to the brackets, but I was assured by the SportsRack staff that it would fit...NOT...][/quote:4f24555ea3]

What's wrong with duct tape and bailing wire? I mean, isn't the roof rack just for looks?

DUCK!! (and not the quack, quack kind!) ;)

[quote:67776593ea=" "]I assume this mounts via 4 saddles that fit between pairs of crossbars on the basket. Is the problem that, however you place these saddles on the basket, their spacing isn't a reasonable match to the fixed spacing between the Element's crossbars?
[/quote:67776593ea]

You nailed it, Paul. The saddles fit snugly into two of the basket crossbars which then rests atop the ELEMENT rack bars. No matter how you work it, the spacing doesn't fit. The guy at the shop initially tried to tell me that by reversing the saddles it would alter the spacing. Nope.

You could, if desired, fashion your own bracket or u-bolt arrangement, but I just didn't have the inclination to do so.

you will find that the loadwarrior and even the megawarrior have much more versatility in regards to spacing than the bvg rack. it's guaranteed to fit properly.
imo...these racks are far better anyways, because they will give you the ability to attach accessories to the front, rear, and accessory loadbar that come with it.
the thule playpen is also a cool basket, and will also work well on the e's factory bars.
the sidekick is kinda wimpy, and doesn't compare to the cascade 15 or any other box. it's made of polyethylene, and doesn't come assembled.
while the price is right, i only really recommend that box for infrequent use, not heavy day to day use, like i would the cascade 15.
i have an evolution 1600 on my e, and i love it. i will take some pics one day of my rig and post them...

next week we're live....
www.cracksandracks.com

zgelem,

Thanks! I'd like to see the Evolution pics. :)

There are several Load Warrior baskets on ELEMENTS around here, and you're right on about the versatility of those with respect to additional components. The overall appearance of the BVG seemed better to me, so that's the one I tried to fit. Overall, my biggest frustration yesterday with SportsRack was their, for lack of a better way to put it, "casual ignorance" on what racks fit on what vehicles. A real time waster.

I have looked at the Sidekick now only because it was so lightweight (reference 75 lb. limit - factory rack), quick on/off, etc. Paulj's experience with it seems very positive, although he also points out the shortcomings you cited. It really is best in the occasional use category.

Basically I have been looking for a box/basket arrangement to take our camping or skiing stuff on the roof, rather than using up space in the vehicle. I know I could easily load 200-300+ lbs of gear up there in any of the box/baskets without thinking, but I want to respect Honda's 75 lb weight restrictions as much as possible. In so doing it seems there aren't many options. So my thought has been: Why place a huge box up top if you really can't fill it, and remain at least close to the weight limit?

The other box I looked at was the Cascade 1500. Empty it weight 36 lbs. I will certainly look at the Evolution pics when available. :) Many thanks!

John

Here are some stock pics of the Thule/Yakima boxes:

EVOLUTION 1600 (black or silver):

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com//regular/chips/675591_321.jpg

CASCADE 1500 (REI sale $243.00):

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com//regularimages/700765.jpg

LOAD WARRIOR:

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com//regularimages/652474.jpg

I went with a Karrite box that they sell in Canada at Canadian Tire

Karrite is a Thule subsidiary and while their product range is much smaller they are MUCH cheaper.

I have had a Karrite pod on my old car for 3 years and it holds up great. Don't know the weight but it is very light. Mine is black but the website only shows grey ones for some reason.

see: www.karrite.co.uk/

http://www.karrite.co.uk/450.jpg
http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/BikeSportRacks/0401150_450_CC_2ee13.jpg

That Karrite box looks just like the Evolution series...hhuummmm...

Anyway, I've got a Thule Mountaineer on my E and love it(there are some pics at http://www.jessekelber.com/pics/Bend/index.htm). Now, I have Thule bars so my limit is higher, but I've made several trips with the box bursting full and with a full 6-pair ski mount on the other side...that's gotta be over the limit...and have yet to have any issues.
I've had this box through my last three vehicles(subaru outback, toyota tacoma, E)...and find that it works equally well on all of 'em...

jesse

[quote:c3a2e80131=" "]
Basically I have been looking for a box/basket arrangement to take our camping or skiing stuff on the roof, rather than using up space in the vehicle. I know I could easily load 200-300+ lbs of gear up there in any of the box/baskets without thinking, but I want to respect Honda's 75 lb weight restrictions as much as possible. [/quote:c3a2e80131]

keep in mind, you will not be able to carry skis longer than a 165cm in the cascade 1500, while the evo 1600 will carry 185cm skis. thule says only a 180, but i know it will take a 185. the rei sale on the cascade 15 is a good price...the reason is, it's won't carry skis, only snowboards and cargo. not very versatile in my opinion.
when you load a box, or basket, you really want to leave the anvil inside the car. in other words, use the basket or box for soft goods, like duffel bags, and clothes when camping. leave the coolers, dry boxes, and other heavy items in the car. this will help you with the load limits, and staying within them.
as far as ski racks go...when loaded they are so low profile, with the weight evenly distributed across the span of the rack, weight considerations are totally negligable. i've seen ski racks mounted on the wimpiest of factory crossbars (jeep cherokee/grand cherokee) without any issues.

[quote:f246d2cceb=" "]
as far as ski racks go...when loaded they are so low profile, with the weight evenly distributed across the span of the rack, weight considerations are totally negligable. i've seen ski racks mounted on the wimpiest of factory crossbars (jeep cherokee/grand cherokee) without any issues.[/quote:f246d2cceb]

If I understand correctly, the issue is that the Element's roof is rated only to carry between 75 and 100# of cargo, depending on if you read the US or Canadian documentation, respectively. People say it's the lack of a B-pillar, not the Honda roof rack per se, that caused this weight restriction concern. A roof rack/cage/box with a higher load limit doesn't necessarily matter in this case, since the roof is only rated to 75/100 pounds depending on what documentation you believe.

[edited for brevity]

The whole point of the rack weight issue is that for whatever reason Honda has limited the ELEMENT roof to 75 lbs, which includes gear, box/basket weight, etc.

Of course you will see this routinely ignored, but for the sake of liability alone I am reluctant to place a 45 lb box on the roof, and then exceed the meager 30 lbs remaining. Heck, 30 lbs - that's a couple of folding chairs, sleeping bags, and a family camping tent. :roll:

However, zgelem does bring up an excellent point regarding the anvil items remaining inside the car. Use the box for softer, bulkier items like tarps and sleeping bags. Also, the length is an issue as mentioned with regard to skis. Yet another thing: The Cascade 1500 (pic above) only opens from one side. Along with it being 32" in width it's going to be a bit of a chore getting the box on & off quickly.

This input from y'all is helpful, and much appreciated. :)

The weight capacity topic was discussed extensively in the 'battle royale' thead
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9672

Honda, as far as I know, does not specify a weight limit for the roof itself - just for the rack.

paulj

I see lots of cars about town with full time boxes - some are large boxes on big SUVs, others are old oxidized ski boxes on decade old Subaru wagons. I suspect some stay up there because it would be such a pain to remove and store them somewhere else.

If you don't want to go that permanent route, the Sidekick is a good choice on the Element. It is light enough to remove and store in the house (such as on top of tall shelves). It is narrow enough that a short person can mount it using a step a bit higher than the door sills. If the mounting nuts are tightened too much, or in the wrong order, the box floor deforms a bit around the cross bars, but this is not permanent.

On the minus side, a wider, lower box would look better on the Element. It is too short for skis. Its volume falls in the convenient rather than necessary range. That is, I carry things there for packing ease or because it is convenient, not because I absolutely don't have any more room inside the car. I get some whistling when driving above 70mph, depending on wind direction.

Since the Sidekick only takes up half of the bar length I've tried various uses of the remaining space. For this last trip I made a small platform that fits between the bars. I didn't carry anything there on the road, but it was a convenient place to store kitchen boxes at night - a place that was more or less out of the way of varmits, but didn't take up interior space.

The Sidekick has been useful on my last two big camping trips, but I am still dreaming of something even better. For example, a shallow box, about 4' long, 2' wide and 6" tall would fit between the crossbars, present a lower profile to the wind, and still hold the recovery tools that I've been carrying in the Sidekick. Bulkier items could be strapped in a duffle on top of this.

I also am trying to design a better way of mounting my tarp on the roof. I have stretched the tarp over the Sidekick a couple of times, an arrangement that improves wind and rain handling compared to a simple flat mount, but I think I can make a better multipurpose tarp 'rack'.

paulj

Paul,

I actually didn't think the Sidekick looked bad in your Bella Coola pictures. It seems almost impossible to remove anything bigger quickly and easily unless you have a box that opens from both sides like the Evolution. But, as I pointed out earlier, the larger boxes start at 32-34 lbs and work their way up in weight. Yakima boxes seem terribly heavy for the ELEMENT.

John