[sonofpear]

I just need to buy the cross bars for my 2003 E so we can haul our luggage on top when we do road trips. I have been looking around for a while and found this
http://www.buyautotruckaccessories.....perrycraft-sportrek-roof-rack/doapps.1/#apps
does anyone know anything about them like i said it will only be to put our luggage on top for road trips
thanks

 

[ADAMLSTL]

Handa

Try here: http://www.handa-accessories.com/elementext.html

 

[sonofpear]

yeah I saw that one as well I was just trying to save some money but at least I know it will look good so maybe ill just spend the little extra for that piece of mind that it will fit the way I want

 

[ADAMLSTL]

Used

Also, you could search: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=14

Or: http://www.collegehillshonda.com/


I sold my old stock rack to a coworker last year to get one that would support more weight. Many others may have or are doing the same. You may find a good price on a used one.

 

[paulj]

How were you planning on attaching the luggage, and protecting it from the elements? This isn't a minivan with rub rails on the roof that allows you to set a bag full of luggage directly on the roof. You need some sort of box, basket, or bag with a floor that spans the 27" between cross bars.

 

[boley]

How were you planning on attaching the luggage, and protecting it from the elements? This isn't a minivan with rub rails on the roof that allows you to set a bag full of luggage directly on the roof. You need some sort of box, basket, or bag with a floor that spans the 27" between cross bars.

It looks like several of the roof top bags are marketed in such a way that it sounds like they sit above the roof racks. If you dig around a bit deeper, it is apparent that the bag sits between the racks, not elevated. Example http://traveloasis.com/sherpakgo15.html

Honestly if someone is willing to abuse their roof paint, I would skip the roof rack and simply find one of the roof top bags that attaches directly to the roof (via the edges). Examples http://www.roofbag.com/Installation.asp

 

[TPS Lizard]

have you seen this?

This is "the kind" set up, but not light on the old wallet.

This is not my E, but I did make the rack to hold the box, that is a 1600 series Thule.
If you must travel with lots of gear, you gotta protect it.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=852094&postcount=9

 

[sonofpear]

Paul j I have a Box that is going to fit

 

[paulj]

I don't think you want the Perrycraft set. It requires drilling into the roof, a permanent modification. I did that once, on a new pickup. The Element has 4 perfectly good mounting points. People have been happy with the Honda rack, the Yakima and Thule ones, and various homemade or small-scale jobs. A nice thing about the Yakima and Thule racks is that you can easily remove the racks, just leaving low profile brackets in place.

Perrycraft may cost less, but will be harder to install. It may also adversely affect the resale value of your Element.

 

[sonofpear]

Do you think that I could just use one of those rooftop bags that I dont need the cross bars to use? Anyone know any good ones? My trip is only like twice a year from California to Utah and California to Arizona?

 

[boley]

Do you think that I could just use one of those rooftop bags that I dont need the cross bars to use? Anyone know any good ones? My trip is only like twice a year from California to Utah and California to Arizona?

This one is getting good reviews on REI http://www.rei.com/product/677675 You just need to figure out how to securely attach it without a roof rack. Depending upon your tolerance for homebrewed solutions, you could probably just run a few cam straps around the carrier and back through the vehicle. Just make sure to go through a few hard points on the carrier to prevent movement during a sudden stop.

If you have side curtain airbags the cam straps running along the headliner will interfere with deployment.

You can also go with this to save the roof. http://www.rei.com/product/687050

 

[sonofpear]

I think ill need to take another look at the side rails and see if it willl be able to strap down to it