Anybody have any advice on roof system/brand to go with for cargo and canoe carrying?

 

Thule doesnt have anything listed, I bought the Lexus/Toyota cross bars which seem pretty robust but not like my Thule canoe set-up. I think they would be fine if you are good with your knots and use bow and stern lines.

 

I was able to get a used OEM set for $100 (cross bars). I don't think there is a better aftermarket set available. Almost all aftermarket accessories can be used with the OEM bars. I'm using a Thule box and Yakima bike rakes with no problems.

Koz

 

Just no flexibility on systems with the base style that GX 460 has. I wonder if anybody has experimented with replacing with GX 470 or 4 Runner system?

 

No flexibility, how is the 470/T4R different?

Koz

 

How did you get so lucky and find a used set of 460 cross bars? Or will the 470 bars work??? I'm looking to do the cross bars as well, thanks! KH

 

someone here got rid of their gx460 a while back. i tried to get them, but koz beat me to it

 

At $259 MSRP, I am not in a huge hurry for something I don't really need . . . Just keeping my eyes open, thanks! KH

 

Just installed the Cross Bars on my 2011 GX 460. I don't use them often, but it's always good to have since they increase the capabilities of your vehicle. Paid about $194 brand new.





View from above. Install wasn't too bad.





Side profile view from the driver's side.





Still looks classy with the cross bars.





Close-up from the driver's side.





Side profile view from the passenger's side. Notice the pronounced fender flares. Definitely makes the truck look solid.





Close-up from the passenger's side

 

11GX460,

Get the side molding on that puppy already. Your "pronounced fender flares" are begging for it

 

Pronounced fender flares? The GX does not have fender flares, it does have body lines though.

 

tecman,

I truly thought about those side moldings, but at the moment, I want 'add-ons' that serve to increase the capabilities of the vehicle. Oh well, maybe if I sleep on it some more. In the meantime, here are some additional pictures of the roof-rack and tow hitch (for you, Eppieguy) from various angles of the vehicle.




I did not notice any additional noise with these cross bars while traveling on the highway.




Front view of the vehicle with the sunroof tilted














Street view











Left front angle view of the vehicle with the sunroof tilted. Notice you can barely see the cross bars due to their low profile nature, or maybe it's because the vehicle is too high up?

 

Thanks, do the rails give any wind noise? They have on my last few vehicles so I always took them off.

 

Yes, they do give some wind noise, as will almost any additional cross object placed on a vehicle. I tested the interior noise level with all the windows and sunroof closed + radio off and did not notice any discernible noise levels that I wasn't expecting while traveling on a highway. However, because the vehicle is so quiet to begin with, I did not have any issues with it. If you have the radio on + windows/sunroof closed, then you're probably not going to hear it at all. If you floor the accelerator, you'll hear the roar of the engine over any wind noise; at least for me, since I have a K&N air filter in place of the OEM filter. I actually prefer to hear something when I drive, whether it's music or with the sunroof tilted/opened -it helps keep you awake and alert. Provided that you installed them correctly, they are secure, even traveling at 90+ mph (I only pushed it that far for testing purposes only). Another way to look at the cross bars is that they act as a spoiler for the vehicle, helping to keep it planted to the ground.

 

I have the K&N in mine as well, does give it a little better sound.