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Installed the Thule rack system for my kayaks and used them on long trips throughout the summer with no problems. The crossbars were a bit noisy so I took them off last week for the season and immediately noticed an improvement in noise and mileage. Thule sells inexpensive covers for the rail footings so that the entire rack system does not have to be removed. Took all of 5 minutes to remove the crossbars and replace with the covers.
Originally Posted by QCAl
I can confirm that the Thule rack system works with a panoramic roof and flush rails. I have a 2023 RX350H premium+, and my rack system consists of the following 3 components:
Wingbar Evo cross bars 127cm. or 50" #711300 (black or silver)
Evo Fixpoint feet 4-pack #710701
Fixpoint Fit KIt #187159
Retail price is approx. $659
I installed the rack recently, but I have yet to use it with my kayaks. Each Thule foot attaches to the vehicle with only a single bolt provided in the kit, so that appears to be the weakest part of the system. I travel at highway speeds with long sea kayaks and there is a lot of crosswind force on the boats. The boats are lightweight, but bow and stern tie downs will be a must. I already have Thule kayak saddles that will attach directly to the cross bars, but otherwise they and other accesories (e.g., cargo box, bike racks, etc.) are purchased separately from the above kit. I am hoping and trusting that the rack attachment system has been properly tested by both Thule and Lexus for strength. I would feel more confident from the start if each Thule foot attached to the Lexus roof with 2 bolts. But, as to the original concern for this thread, the Thule system clears the open pano roof by a few inches, something that apparently can't be done with the OEM Lexus cross bars.
So, to be clear, those of you who have a panoramic roof do not have trouble with cartop carriers compromising the roof? I have been told by the dealer and others to NOT put anything on the roof because the integrity for any weight is not there. I want to use a Thule carrier for overflow item for our road trips - probably not too much weight. I will just remove the crossbars when I'm not using the carrier, so I don't care that much about the sunroof opening. Does anyone have thoughts about a weight limit? It will make my life so much easier to be able to use the box. Thanks!
The owner's manual has no such warning about panoramic roofs and the luggage rack. This is all it has to say about roof carriers:
■When using a roof luggage carrier (vehicles with roof rails)
Observe the following precautions:
●Place the cargo so that its weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear axles.
●If loading long or wide cargo, never exceed the vehicle overall length or width. (P.524)
●Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened on the roof luggage carrier.
●Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of gravity of the vehicle higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control
or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly and result in death or serious injury.
●If driving for a long distance, on rough roads, or at high speeds, stop the vehicle now and then during the trip to make sure the cargo remains in its place.
●Do not exceed 154 lb. (70 kg) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier.
The theory about roof integrity sounds like supposition to me. What’s not supposition is that with Lexus’s own roof rack crossbars and most aftermarket ones, the panoramic glass, when fully open, will strike the rear roof bar. That’s why those of us who have roof bars with the panoramic glass roof look for ones that sit higher, like the Thule and the Rokiotoex.
I have done three significant road trips with a Federation shuttlecraft attached to my panoramic roof and I’ve had zero problems. The Rokiotoex crossbars are very thick and sit on the outside edge of the rails. They’re super sturdy, so it would seem to me they’re adding whatever integrity might be missing with the glass roof.
Thanks everyone for your input. I feel much more comfortable getting racks. I will investigate the ones you have mentioned. I'm hoping that I can just take them on and off easily, but if not, I'll be sure to get ones that don't obstruct the roof glass.
Thule rack confirmation
