yeehawbob

How easy are these to install?

kitlz

Welcome to CL, yeehawbob.

You may want to check our classified section first. A few members have removed their roof rails. Sewell, a CL vendor, sells them at a discounted price when you create an account. I didn't notice a difference when I signed in. So you can contact them to verify the final price.

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2010/4490.html

They don't have installation instructions posted but it's probably straightforward.

Here is the link to the crossbars from Sewell:

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2010/2587.html

The discounted price is $177. I'd advise installing them when you add the rails since you will already have the end caps off.

yeehawbob

I checked the board classifieds and did not find anyone selling these, so I was thinking maybe I should go to a Toyota $tealership and see what they charge for the Venza Rails as these models are identical.
Has anyone tried this?

yeehawbob

So Toyota Venza has only one color (Grey) of roof rack rails, BUT the cost is $429 vs $1100 for RX.

I will try other websites to get the Chrome version for my RX at a better price.

Sevn86

I had no idea these were this expensive!

yeehawbob

I guess they think because we bought the Lexus, we have a money tree in the back yard.
Surprisingly I cannot find anyone selling these for the Lexus RX, at a decent price, and Venza ones come only in grey.
My RX is black so the grey will not look too bad but I'd rather have the chrome.

kitlz

Well, roof rails weren't even available on early RXs. No rear spoiler either. And everything was an option.

I would say the roof rails are more silver metallic than chrome. They blend in with tungsten pearl as you can see in the picture. I've toyed with the idea of removing them to make clearing snow and washing the roof easier. But I just can't do it. If you can get the Venza rails, I'd say go for it at that price.

TexasRxh

Interestingly, the dealer told me today that the 2013 Rx450h FWD does not come with anything on top. They had 2 parked in the delivery area, both 450h FWD, neither had roof rack / rails. It's apparently available only on AWD versions. Can anyone prove this wrong?

They also told me the Tow Pkg is only available on the 450h AWD.

Cruiter

That's been a fact on all Gen III models.

sunnyside

Just picked up a 2013 450h 2wd. It is no rated for towing. Not sure if the wiring is there , but I am considering a Curt hitch for light jobs like a bike rack or rental tools,etc. as to the roof rails, they are deleted to increase fuel mielage I guess. I don't need them myself but the attachment,sites are there if you want to spend the serious cash.

dshizon

Would the Venza roof rails actually fit the RX450h? I have the same issue with my wife's RX without the roof rails.

Sevn86

Personally I like the look of the rails, they do make it hard to clean the top though.

sunnyside

If you can use Venza rails just have them powder coated to match the car closer. My new 450 h looks ok plain ant itis easier to clean the top without them. We used the rack so infrequently on our 4 Runner it hat I don't hint it will be missed.

yeehawbob

My other car is a Honda Pilot and it comes with the side rails. On a long 1200 mile trip with 7 people the roof storage box was a blessing.
We are using the RX more and more on long trips with just 5 people now so the convenience of the roof rack is needed.

I am tall so cleaning the top is not an issue. :-)

jaloscalzo

This is true. I am told the same thing