Roof Rack Safety Question

416vtyou wrote: ↑ I am looking to get some rail slides and eventually a roof rock put on my 2015 CRV naked roof. I've had a hard time finding OEM ones without it costing an arm and a leg. I don't mind paying OEM if it is something I would use often, but I am looking to get this rack to use once or twice a year for camping trips.

I've found this seller through Kijiji and quoted 290 after tax with installation. The method they use is unconventional as they are able to mount a rack directly without side rails.

https://racktrip.com/fixed-mounting-poi ... ket-access

I was wondering if anyone has done their roof system like this and if they have ran into any problems?

BDSL wrote: ↑ Any time you expose the bare metal, you will run into rusting issue.

gizmo8 wrote: ↑ Ah no..Do it right and use side rails..The link you provided showing installation looks sloppy at best.I went aftermarket side rails for my Mazda SUV from Ebay and it worked perfectly.It cost about 50% cheaper than OEM but looks and works like OEM.Im sure you can find aftermarket side rails for your SUV..

416vtyou wrote: ↑ Pardon my ignorance but wouldn't installing side rails also expose the bare metal? In this instance, wouldn't keeping the rain gutter on provide a bit more weather protection?

AlicW93740 wrote: ↑ What bare metal does installing side rails expose? Look at this guide, yes you'd have to cut the weather strip on the roof, but the side rail comes with another piece that will cover the missing weather strip:


But in the link you posted, there's a big hole that was drilled and not covered, and it seems like the hole is drilled through the car body as well. Even if the hole is covered by the crossbar, there's no guarantee that the contact will be water tight. That is what BDSL meant by exposing bare metal. Your roof will rust crazy. And since the crossbar is only held onto the roof at a random spot with one or two bolts, I won't be surprised if it gets ripped off your roof on highway during strong gust and cause serious accident.

Side rails and roof rack are expensive for a reason. If you think they are not worth the cost then don't get one.

bubuski wrote: ↑ Dont drill your roof to install side rails if your vehicle is spec'd with a flat roof. You are just asking for future issues with from water leaks or rust behind the rain guard. The company linked wont offer any kind of warranty and neither will Honda if you modified your roof by drilling.

Honda CRVs specd with a side rail can use the side rail, Honda CRVs without the side rail can use roof racks designed for flat roofs that don't involve drilling. For flat roofs an example is the Thule Evo and Yakima BaseLine which clamp at the door frame. An older generation of the Yakima is the Q Tower.

gizmo8 wrote: ↑ Why are you making this so much harder.Buy aftermarket ones or OEM ones.They are direct fit and no need for power tools.

416vtyou wrote: ↑ What's the point of a discussion if I can't discuss other options? I'm going with the Thule Evo recommendation from another rfder but would still like to be informed about the other option if that's not too much to ask for?

416vtyou wrote: ↑ What's the point of a discussion if I can't discuss other options? I'm going with the Thule Evo recommendation from another rfder but would still like to be informed about the other option if that's not too much to ask for?

gizmo8 wrote: ↑ Well the worse option is the one you thinking about getting.

416vtyou wrote: ↑ I contacted the company and they said they only drill a hole through the weather strip and NOT the car body. They are just cutting a hole to expose the factory bolts that were there. Does that change your opinion?



Wow thanks for your recommendations! At this point I think I am going to play it safe and go with the Thule Evo