Yakima/Thule or other roof racks.

[1980PontiacWagon]

Rhino rack the new kids on the block obviously enjoy making money. there racks seem of quality and solely for the go get um attitude is most likely the way I will go. I support a company that moves rapdily for a product in demand, years ago the parts were available before the cars were lol

I will most likely go with THULE fairing even though I think they shouldnt get a logo on my sonic since they arent helping with the rack situation. I will have a graphic of some kind made up to cover the logo.

I just purchased a rhino rack/THULE fairing combo from a member here on the forum. I agree with you, the big THULE logo on the fairing will be removed/covered up. I wish Yakima made a rack, but I guess I'll just use their bike trays...Also another thing to remember, the Rhino rack locks to the roof, the GM rack does not.

 

[Bogus]

I like the points bergeron007 made. I also want the Rhino/Thule Fairing set up. Probably put stickers all over the fairing.

 

[Donic]

GM Roof rack

I just got my GM roof rack on today and am TREMENDOUSLY unhappy with it. It's going on eBay, or I will sell it via this forum.

I have a small hitch and a Thule hitchmount carrier for my bike. But I need a roof rack for my canoe. Yes, at 16' it is longer than my car, but never had a problem with it on my Honda Civic.

The problems are threefold: 1) the dang thing makes a huge amount of noise at speeds as low as 35 mph. If I were to keep it, I'd need to get the Thule fairing, 2) the crossbars kind of curve inward from the mounting ends, which means they are not at wide as the car roof, but are shorter/narrower than the width of the roof. The Yakima and the Rhino racks appear to be as wide, or wider, than the roof of the car - perhaps extending an inch or so out from the edge of the roof?? My canoe is about 1" too wide for the GM rack; it does not sit fully on the rubber strip in the middle of the crossbars; 3) the two crossbars are not wide enough apart for a long canoe to ride upon. The front and rear crossbars are 28" on center, and there is no way to move the front one further forward, nor the rear one further back. The rear one really angers me, 'cause it seems like it sits right in the middle for the back door opening, when it should sit near the rear of that opening.

I would also add that I don't like the silvery look on my bright red hatchback. If the thing were useable for my canoe, I'd immediately paint or plastidip it.

a QUESTION, PLEASE, for those with Yakima and Rhino racks: Can you please give me the two following critical dimensions? What is the distance between the two crossbars? and how wide are the crossbars, from end to end (passenger side to drivers side)?

Not happy at all. I bought the GM rack as part of my car purchase last October, and it just arrived now. With the close spacing of the two bars, it's like having my canoe on a center pivot teeter totter. Since it is financed with the car, I'll be paying for my useless rack for another 5 yrs! Doh!!!

 

[usayit]

Bummer it didn't work... good to know about the limits with hauling a canoe. I personally actually like the curved in look rather than have the bars stick past the edge of the vehicle. Then again, I"m not hauling anything that wide. I haul mostly small stuff in a large roof basket (Curt basket see previous posted picture)

The wind noise was cut drastically when I added an Inno Fairing. No modifications necessary.. just bolt it on.

Inno Fairing - Best Price & 22 Reviews on INNO Wind Fairings for Car Roof Racks

I also removed the plastic fairing that came with the Curt Basket. It eats gas mileage even when basket is empty. So right now, I have the Curt Basket (no fairing) with the Inno Fairing just below. Noise is acceptable and gas mileage impact not too bad. Takes me and one person 10 minutes to remove (leaving the rack attached to the basket) when I'm commuting with nothing up top).

 

[bergeron007]

USAYIT-pictures of your set up please?

Much appreciated

 

[hellasonic]

here's an old photo of Thule 38" Fairings on Rhino Rack
if you have any question about installing hmu..

will post the recent one/measurement adjusted
with 2 inno fork lock

 

[Donic]

usayit - Thanks for the link to the fairing (faring? -sp- ), it looks nice and might fix my noise problems, IF I were to keep my GM roof rack, which looks doubtful.

Hellasonic - I love your Rhino rack, and the way the crossbars extend out past the mounting bases. That would solve my canoe width problem very nicely. Hey, wanna trade?? My GM model does look pretty!

Thanks, both.

 

[Javiero]

Has anyone tried a trunk rack with a hatchback? The reason I ask is because I will be taking a trip to Milwaukee to go to Rays indoor bike park. However I can't put the roof rack on because I had some body work recently (different story)... I don't want to drive all the way out with a trunk rack if the straps/weight could potentially crack my spoiler.

 

[1980PontiacWagon]

I have a question for anyone that has the aero bar rhino rack, Has anyone attached a bike tray to it? Kind of a noob to roof racks because my last car, my bike fit in my trunk. I have a Yakima tray, just need to know how to attach it.
I sent an email to Rhino Rack a week ago and have yet to hear back.

 

[dustinofavenly]

Rhino and thule fairing

here's an old photo of Thule 38" Fairings on Rhino Rack
if you have any question about installing hmu..

will post the recent one/measurement adjusted
with 2 inno fork lock

Did you have to modify the Thule Fairing or get additional hardware to fit on the rhino roof rack? If so, could you tell me the details? Thanks!

 

[dustinofavenly]

Did you have to modify the Thule Fairing or get additional hardware to fit on the rhino roof rack? If so, could you tell me the details? Thanks!

 

[MrSnuggles]

You realize that there are only pictures of HB's? Is there any sedans out there with the roof rack on, if so someone post pictures up? The three things i realllllllly want to get done to my car is the roof rack, Eibach springs, and tint. Of course i cannot do these right now, as i'm tight on funds, but i love the look on the HB for the roof racks, i wanted to get an idea of what it would look like on the sedan.

 

[Joyride]

here's an old photo of Thule 38" Fairings on Rhino Rack
if you have any question about installing hmu..

will post the recent one/measurement adjusted
with 2 inno fork lock

I'm going to buy a fairing for my Rhino rack when it arrives but after looking at a few pics I can't decide whether to go with the 38" or 44" or whether the 44" would even fit. The 38" doesn't look like it goes all the way across. Thoughts?

 

[stoopid]

I posted some semi-useful info regarding universal roof rack options in a related thread:

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t6528/

Universal roof racks work well, and there's a variety available. I used the foam block style to carry 2 (heavy) plastic kayaks on the roof of a Suzuki I had. You can buy or make your own bars (hollow steel tubing, rubber tips for ends).

Kayak Universal Roof Racks - Free Shipping

The straps go through the top of the door and wrap around the bars. The door closes and seals fine. The main issue I could see, which didn't concern me due to the lameness of the vehicle, is that the paint will be scratched with a lot of use. But most foam pads come with non stick/slip rubber on the bottom side to help eliminate this. Plus with foam blocks instead of stands like with traditional racks, you can carry more weight.

 

[stoopid]

Just want to add that transporting stuff on the top/back of your car is not an opportunity to make a fashion statement. If it's relatively easy to mount and remove, and your stuff doesn't blow away, it's succeeded.

 

[joshalamew]

Rhino rack euro bars. Thule 38in fairing. Rhino rack fork bike mount.

 

[Javiero]

Does anyone have a copy of the updated mounting instructions they can share for the GM rack?

 

[TURBOBX]

RHINO RACK EURO on SONIC SEDAN

You realize that there are only pictures of HB's? Is there any sedans out there with the roof rack on, if so someone post pictures up? The three things i realllllllly want to get done to my car is the roof rack, Eibach springs, and tint. Of course i cannot do these right now, as i'm tight on funds, but i love the look on the HB for the roof racks, i wanted to get an idea of what it would look like on the sedan.

Just installed today the rhino rack euro bars on my sedan. Noisy as ALL get out - but look great! Would love to know if the 38" fairing cuts the noise down!:sadbanana:

 

[joshalamew]

I've got the fairing and mine is still really noisy :/

 

[TURBOBX]

I've got the fairing and mine is still really noisy :/

I can't think straight with them on! They whistle so loud! I tried the "bungee cord" twist with no luck, (2) $1 pool noodles are on it now, zip tied down. Looks ridiculous, but I can't think while driving. (I listen to loud music to boot)

Not sure if I should return for the aero bars... Anyone have any luck with that? I'd love to hear from a sedan owner who has this figured out. Sounds like the fairing doesn't even help. BLAH!