Roof Rack Questions and (Eventually) answers - 2018 CX5

Ordered the Thule Compass kayak carrier on stock rails. Where do yall recommend attaching bow & stern to w/o hitch? Any additional tips for straps to not damage paint?
 
Ordered the Thule Compass kayak carrier on stock rails. Where do yall recommend attaching bow & stern to w/o hitch? Any additional tips for straps to not damage paint?
I bought the rhino rack "bonnet straps" and use one on the hood for my kayaks.

I tie my rear to a hitch step, however, you could use a second one in the hatch to do the same.
 
Hi, I have put on the RCL, and like the look. But I do notice, even with the sunroof closed, at about 30mph that i can hear some whistling from the wind going across the front bar (with sunroof "door" covered i cant hear it tho). Is this what others find? I would have thought it would be higher speeds before hearing it so much. Pretty sure I installed rubber on top and bottom correct.
 
I bought the rhino rack "bonnet straps" and use one on the hood for my kayaks.

I tie my rear to a hitch step, however, you could use a second one in the hatch to do the same.

Did you install an aftermarket hitch? I looked for a hitch step but have not found one for the small factory receiver.
 
Thanks for sharing all this. I did the same thing following your advise. And it is working perfectly for my cx-5 2019. Not much sounds and not hurting the fuel economy so much.
 
I am thankful i bought the channels with covers from the factory as i can take these on and off as needed and the car looks stock again.

Thank you so much for this incredibly helpful thread!! I am going to take your same approach, but I am having trouble finding these covers. Do you happen to have an item number or product name that I can share with my dealer?
 
Hi, I have put on the RCL, and like the look. But I do notice, even with the sunroof closed, at about 30mph that i can hear some whistling from the wind going across the front bar (with sunroof "door" covered i cant hear it tho). Is this what others find? I would have thought it would be higher speeds before hearing it so much. Pretty sure I installed rubber on top and bottom correct.

Mine varies on noise levels based on cross winds and what i have on it. I have been keeping the soft pads on and it killed any major noises i dealt with in different scenarios. I will try to remember to take pictures soon.

Did you install an aftermarket hitch? I looked for a hitch step but have not found one for the small factory receiver.

Yup, my build thread has a picture and i think a link of the on i bought. It was on Amazon and is a step with holes i use to strap to.

Thanks for sharing all this. I did the same thing following your advise. And it is working perfectly for my cx-5 2019. Not much sounds and not hurting the fuel economy so much.

Great to hear! I am glad it helped!

Thank you so much for this incredibly helpful thread!! I am going to take your same approach, but I am having trouble finding these covers. Do you happen to have an item number or product name that I can share with my dealer?

On the first page i list the dealer number for the new inserts. I bought the whole strip which came with covers.
 
You can kind of see the pads on the bars here.

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Took a series of photos to show the loading and final view.

I ditched the saddle mounts as the boat would slip when wet.

Rhino rack load assist and a radar 135, single person load.
 

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I like your Rhino rack. Do they ever go on sale? It looks like they cost $420.00 on their site.
 
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Replaced the plastic "locked" cover with the keyed cover due to me trying to load the kayak with the load assist. Long story short, broke the plastic ones....

Silly mistake but other than that the unit is holding up nicely and the keyed locks look better, have more metal and still as happy today as when i wrote this thread.
 
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