cephraim

Hi,

I've got the factory luggage rack on my '00 RX300, as most people do.

I want to put a nice Thule or Yakima cargo box on top of the car WITHOUT have to add any additional support bars or rack pieces.

Everyone keeps telling me that the rack is cheap - rated at only 75lbs and that, with wind resistance, they wouldn't suggest ANY box up there without all the extra pieces.

Has anyone successfully installed a nice cargo box (Thule, Yakima, SportsRack, etc.) without the extra pieces? Have you actually driven on the highway after installation with a full load?

Any practical experience with this out there?

I guess the other option is a hitch-connected cargo box, but those are a pain, if you want to get into the hatch...

I also don't want a soft-sided "bag" carrier for the roof...

Thanks,
Eph

cephraim

I see lots of "views" of this post, but no responses.

Has anyone looked in to this?

Need to make a purchase soon.

Thanks!

Eph

LexRX

I've never really looked into getting something like that. If it doesn't fit inside, she'ain't going with me

However, I have seen a weathertech cloth-type cargo holder on an RX in a Lexus dealer showroom (I really get out and about) and it looked very nice. They should connect to the OEM crossbars.

check http://www.weathertech.com

LexRX

I just noticed that you did NOT want a bag type roof mounted cargo box. Hmmm, well, here it is anyway. A member named commack4 purchased a Samsonite unit.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=roof

That's all I've got.

subal

I don't know the rating, but I loaded uo a wood beam, 8"x8"x 12' long to night and drove 8 miles home. I estimate it weights 250 lbs. I set it over the edge of the racks as close to the rail supports as possible and drove slow over the dips and bumps.

Allan

sathomasga

According to the Thule fit guide, the RX300 is limited to 75 lbs on the roof, even with the full Thule setup (i.e. not using any of the factory rack components). Either Thule's being conservative, or the 75 lb is a structural limitation of the RX300 roof and not just a problem with the factory rack. Note that Thule offers several options for the RX300: (1) a full Thule setup, (2) using the factory tracks and Thule load bars, and (3) [for bikes only] using the factory tracks, factory cross bars, and a special Thule "mini" load bar in the front. Those options are listed in decreasing cost. All of them have a rated limit of 75 lbs. [FWIW, I have option 3 and am happy with it; if option 1 were rated for 100+ lbs (canoe), however, I would have gone for it instead.]

On the other hand, the Yakima fit guide claims their full setup will support 125 lbs on an RX300. But the only option that Yakima claims will fit the RX300 is a complete setup.

mikey00

I used a Thule Weekender on the stock bars of my 2000 RX many times with no problems. When I got my 2001 RX SS I didn't want to scratch the silver painted cross bars so I purchased Thule feet and bars. However, I was not comfortable with the way the Thule feet snap imto place. After snaping them all into place, I would give each one a upward hit with my hand and sometimes they would release. I returned the Thule feet and bars. I now use the 2001 stock SS bars with my Thule Weekender. To protect the bars I bought grey PVC shower pan liner from Home Depot. A couple of wraps around the bars, a few ty wraps, and then the box goes on.