Went and test drove an E today, sort of knowing I'll need a new car in the next 1-3 years and the E's design fits my lifestyle. Then I realized how tall it was, and see in the specs it is listed at 70" tall. I would also be adding an aftermarket rof radk like a thule for bikes, surfboad (for when I have other stuff in the car too or for longer trips).

I measured the clearance in under my garage door. 76". To be safe, lets say 75".

Anyone add a roof rack and can you tell me the new clearance with it on?

The roof rack adds about 3 inches to the vehicle. What a short garage don't buy a hummmer!!!

kelly is right-on about the rack height, AND the Hummer. Let me add the Chevrolet Tahoe to that list. We sold it to buy the ELEMENT because the garage bay was so tight. I have the roof rack and could easily add a basket to the rack still clearing the garage door. :)

John

rack system (highest part is the ski rack) brings the total height of my E to 76". I have problems when I have skis in the rack as the tips curve up just high enough to swipe the bottom of the raised door...

Jesse

Hmmm. good thread. I was doing the calculations for my garagae as well and with the garage door opener and what not I've got even less clearance. I estimate about 6 cm (around 2.5 inches) of clearance before a roof rack is added.

Damn. I just spent big money on my Yakima King Cobra roof rack as well!

Buying my E in less than a week!!!

I just purchased a 2007 Element (after a crash that totaled my 2003 Element).

I am considering putting on a Honda roof rack However, due to low garage opening clearance, I need to be sure that no part of the rack will extend, in height, above the top of the stock '07 radio antennae.

When coming into my garage, I only have 1" of clearance above the stock antennae, so you can see that I want to be sure of the rack height prior to ordering one. Any info would be helpful

Thanks.

You should be fine - I have the roof rack also with a low clearence
The roof rack in the far expanded postion is way lower than the radio antenna

Thanks for the quick response. I hate to appear ignorant, but you make reference to the rack in an "expanded position". Is the rack actually adjustable?

I always thought that the Honda roof rack for the Element was fixed in only one position and not adjustable........

Thanks for the quick response. I hate to appear ignorant, but you make reference to the rack in an "expanded position". Is the rack actually adjustable?

I always thought that the Honda roof rack for the Element was fixed in only one position and not adjustable........

Wow I just learned something - I have the roof rack and have actually never used it I assumed it was adjustable like the one I had before, So to be sure I just walked out to my element and you are right, it is in a fixed position.

To be sure you were ok, I did measure the cross bars. The back bar is 2 7/8" above the roof of the Element and the front bar is slightly lower. They are both below the the antenna.

Thanks again. Looks like it will be fine.

yup. got under 3" on my bars too... and a few more inches to spare with SC being a bit lower :D

Wow I just learned something - I have the roof rack and have actually never used it I assumed it was adjustable like the one I had before, So to be sure I just walked out to my element and you are right, it is in a fixed position.

To be sure you were ok, I did measure the cross bars. The back bar is 2 7/8" above the roof of the Element and the front bar is slightly lower. They are both below the the antenna.

Come on, Orangee.........you're spending way too much time in the "Family" thread!!!!!!

Ok, I've been searching for about 30 minutes trying to find it. I can't.

Looking to find the height of the factory roof racks, I'm going to order a box for the top also. I'm looking for the measurement of the highest point of the cross bar from the middle of the roof.

Basically I have limited height in my garage and have a few different boxes I'm looking at that might fit, but I'm being impatient and can't wait for my racks to arrive. Hahaha.

Figured if I can find the height from someone on here before my racks arrive then I'll be ahead of the game. If not, I can wait.

Thanks in advance.

Threads Merged.