OEM roof rails questions

[harryhood]

1. I have seen that the roof rack setup (factory rails plus factory crossbars) has a 100lb load capacity. That's an issue for me as I have a 54 lb Yakima cargo box I need to use, which would restrict me to 46 lbs cargo on top). Can the rails, combined with a sturdier aftermarket solution (Mont Blanc or Thule, for instance) handle more than 100 lbs, provided the aftermarket cross bars can handle it? Ir are the rails themselves only suited for 100 lbs?

2. Are the rails easy to self-install?

[CX9 SportOwner]

The rails are VERY easy to install. Took about 5 minutes. Just be very careful taking the end covers off. There is an alignment pin that you can easily break off, and isn't mentioned in the instructions.

I love my Mont Blanc crossbars. 220lb total capacity, super easy to install, and barely cost more than the Thule Aero bars alone, without the mounts. A LOT cheaper than even standard Thule or Yak bars, and more stylish and versatile.

The rails can handle the extra weight. The factory crossbars are the weak link due to their slim cross section, and plastic mounts.

The Thule Full kit with locks (165lb capacity)at Proline is $313.85
The Mont Blanc Locking kit is $169.95

http://www.prolineracks.com/mont-blanc-3700-aero-wing-crossbars.html

[harryhood]

The rails are VERY easy to install. Took about 5 minutes. Just be very careful taking the end covers off. There is an alignment pin that you can easily break off, and isn't mentioned in the instructions.

I love my Mont Blanc crossbars. 220lb total capacity, super easy to install, and barely cost more than the Thule Aero bars alone, without the mounts. A LOT cheaper than even standard Thule or Yak bars, and more stylish and versatile.

The rails can handle the extra weight. The factory crossbars are the weak link due to their slim cross section, and plastic mounts.

The Thule Full kit with locks (165lb capacity)at Proline is $313.85
The Mont Blanc Locking kit is $169.95

http://www.prolineracks.com/mont-blanc-3700-aero-wing-crossbars.html

Thanks. On what basis do you say that the rails can handle the added weight? Not challenging you, but I was told otherwise by a local dealer, who said that the car itself is rated to 100lbs, irrespective of the racks. Have you carried 220 lbs on your roof without issue?

[CX9 SportOwner]

The Mont Blanc rack system is rated at 220lbs. The way it mounts, as you see in the photo, the weight is transfered nearly directly down into the foot of each rail and into the safety cage on each side.

Since we are set up to carry 2 kayaks AND 2 bikes at the same time on the roof, I got up on the rack and put all of my weight in the center of one crossbar at a time. I weigh 200lbs, and they barely dipped, let alone showed any signs of movement at the rails. VERY solid. I wouldn't dare do that with the factory crossbars.


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[vikefan7]

So it's the factory crossbars that are rated at 100 lbs?

[CX9 SportOwner]

I'd ask Mazda. They may rate the entire rack system 100lbs just to be safe, but I know it's the factory crossbars that won't hold very much, which is one reason I don't use them. They really are cosmetic.

As I said, though, the rails are very sturdy. I have rocked the car by grabbing the rail and pushing and pulling with no movement or signs of weakness. Pushing straight down on them is even less of an issue.

My crossbars prevent the rails from moving side to side, so I'm sure that also helps.

[harryhood]

Since I plan on using the crossbars for a cargo box, I'm a little worried about drag. Do the Mont Blanc crossbar attachments lock in place? Or do they just grip?

[CX9 SportOwner]

They lock as you can see in my last photo. The lock cylinder is in the center of the wishbone.

If you use the Mont Blancs, you can mount the box with T Bolts in the top channel and have a much cleaner installation than the standard U bolts.

[Spankyzbt13]

Installed roof rails as part of the wife's Mother's Day gift.

Everything went well. Very easy.

Question:

front mounting points seem a lil flimzy. I torq'd down to specs, but they still move a lil when I push with my hand.

Is this normal? basically, should there be a lil play in the rails?

[vikefan7]

FYI. I finaly got to check to see if my Yakima Low Riders would fit the factory rack.. They don't. Luckily I didn't buy the rack...

[CX9 SportOwner]

There is a tiny bit of play in the rails, but they have been very secure. Most likely it's just from the rubber and plastic base.

[vinsuz]

I love my Mont Blanc crossbars. 220lb total capacity, super easy to install, and barely cost more than the Thule Aero bars alone, without the mounts. A LOT cheaper than even standard Thule or Yak bars, and more stylish and versatile.

Thanks for the tip SportOwner! I just got my Mont Blanc's today and had them on my roof in minutes. Not only will they handle twice the load of the factory crossbars, but I can also use them on my wife's Volvo XC70!!

[CX9 SportOwner]

See? Nice rack, isn't it?

[harryhood]

See? Nice rack, isn't it?

Just bought them myself. Haven't had the chance to use them yet, but thanks for the recommendation.

[mazdagirl722]

I installed the Mont Blanc Crossbars and they look great. I would like to install my Big Mouth bike carriers but would like any feedback on adapters to use on the crossbars. Anyone have any suggestions?

[CX9 SportOwner]

i used the Xadapt9 for my Pelotons. The Big mouth uses the Xadapt2.

Instead of the cam lock side mount, for the rear I used a single T bolt in the channel through a hole I drilled, and a Nylock nut. Just be sure the tire won't sit on the nut.

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Xadapt9.....................Xadapt2............T Bolt

[CX9 SportOwner]

More detail on how I mounted mine. Sorry for the fuzz, but my camera has a lousy focusing system.


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[jborchart]

I purchased the Mont Blanc rails and am getting a whistling sound. It is most noticeable between 20 and 40 mph. I'm pretty sure the sound is happening because there is a definite gap between the upper outer edge of the factory rails and the notch in the Mont Blanc mounts on the crossrails.

I tightened the wishbone as tight as I possibly could, and had to back them off because it was so tight that the lock would not work.

Anyone else had this problem?

[CX9 SportOwner]

Mine whistled until I put the filler strips in the open slots underneath. Did you install those?

Now all I hear is the attachments, but they don't whistle. Just regular wind noise.


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[CX9 SportOwner]

Even with this we had very little whistling...

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