Would anyone like to share their experiences in buying a set of roof racks?
Looking to get them for my 2009 Subaru Outback. Any recommendations, purchase prices, places that regularly put them on sale or clearance etc. would be very helpful.
Plan to put on an awning and roof box too maybe later on if I find a good deal for those.
Also is it expected for them to charge for installation or is it free?
Recommendations for Roof Rack
AyyTso on 12/03/2022 - 21:06
Comments
Oh nice I didn't think about those kind of retailers. I'll definitely keep an eye out in those. I too am preferring black ones to fit my colour scheme im going for. Thanks for your help!
C&K are otherwise known as the roof rack centre. They offer free fitment. Other stockists include hyperride / hyperdrive. Hyper currently have 10% off. You would need to check their respective website to see if they offer fitment services. Also Be aware the foot packs are sold separately to the wingbars. You can likely pick up the items cheaper if you're able to fit yourself. I did my own, it's a bit of a faff but not too difficult.
Maybe I should go to a store instead of buying online so im sure I get the right fittings
I bought a Prorack S-wing flush from roofbox.co.nz for my CR-V, I fitted it myself - it was very easy. The guy who runs the store is really helpful, he answered a bunch of installation questions about it and the roofbox I bought at the same time. Basically you tell him what car you have and he sends the right fittings to go with the rack.
I have bought a few CRUZ branded ones - in particular the aluminum ones (the steel ones were so so ) and they have been pretty good - and quite a bit cheaper than Thule etc and do the trick. Also have a roof box which was a lot cheaper. You can buy them direct or via Trademe etc
Never heard of that brand, will have a good look at those. Thanks for the recommendation!
All good. BTW - they are pretty easy to fit, albeit I wouldn't want to do it everyday but one off every so often is all good.
Yeap iv got Cruz on my wagon. I'm happy with them too,
Time it right and purchase off HyperDrive. Usually get about 10-15% extra off the price. The bars can be quite reasonably priced, its all the other extras which cost (foot packs etc). Facebook marketplace can be good for RR, especially if you aren't concerned about buying brand new
We've had a few different brands of roof racks and the last one were Thule which was easy to find. Got it from Hyperdrive during their GST free sales (15% off). Comes up quite often.
It's best to go to the manufacturers website to find out the length of the bars and the footpack which is required. Installation is straightforward if you want to give it a go and the Thule packs all come with easy to follow instructions and a torque allen key so you know you've got it all cinched down. Also helps with removal if you know how to put it on.
The cheapest bars are going to be square or round bars but they may make a noise. And then more expensive ones would be the aero/wing type bars.
Thanks for the advice! I'm gonna go to a installer and ask which parts are right for my Outback, then I'll look online for the deals.
If you're able to purchase today, then repco has 25% off prorack this weekend. You won't get anything better
Ah bugger, im away for the weekend or else I wouldve went in for a look. Good deal for the roof box too I think
Supercheap is doing 35% off prorack at the moment.
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/catalogue-out-now?prefn1=ad…That might be the one I've been holding out for haha. Thats pretty good!
Final update from me. I bought the prorack ones from supercheap, $299 for the bars + $85 for the fitting kit.
Don't trust the compatibility checker on the supercheap website, its not right. Use the official manufacturer websites.
I did have a chat with the canoe and kayak guys beforehand for a bit of insight, they recommended the Yakima brand because the parts are more interchangeable and replaceable but they also said Yakima owns Prorack… Or vice versa so end of the the day is just ended up going with the cheaper option
Today at supercheap they are even cheaper $287.40 + $51!
Did you know that if you're part of the Supercheap club and you buy something, then find out within 2 weeks they are selling it cheaper, they will refund you the difference! Does that apply to you?
Yeah I'll be getting the difference back in store credit. pretty happy with that
Thanks for this I ended up grabbing one at the time and definitely used the manufacturer fitting guide not super cheap/repco’s. Now the hunt for a roofbox!
Nice one! Yeah I too am waiting for a good deal on a roofbox. No immediate need for it now but am watching the pro rack ones and also the steelmate ones listed on themarket. Don't know too much about them but I'm not willing to pay up for the popular brands like yakima and thule
Just make sure the mounting system is compatible with the bars you have. Most reputable brands use "t mounts" but others might use a proprietary system
@ScoobyNZ: Those steelmates ones use U shape bolts. I have no idea if they work with the proracks… Haven't been able to find any reviews on them.
Can definitely recommend Thule. They don't often go on special but sometimes they are from the likes of torpedo 7, or otherwise canoe and kayak. Evo Cycles also sometimes do 10%. I have the wingbars and 2x bike racks on my subaru legacy. The black ones are a bit more than the silver, but my car is black so it looks better haha.