I just installed my factory crossbars. I have some huge gaps where the front crossbar mounts on the passenger side. Can anyone with factory crossbars post a picture, or confirm if they have the gap? Specifically, it is the front-right side. I found a picture from the Grand Highlander forum.

 

Both our front sides have that gap on our 550h+. Rear fits tighter.

 

I installed mine and it's depending on how they install them, loosen the screws on both (rail & the cross bar) but not completely off and you should be able to adjust them to fit them tightly.
I remember I pre-assamble cross bar and try to put it on, one side had a gap, so I loosen the screws and I was able to adjust them to fit tight.
I hope this helps.

 

If you look at the picture, there is a huge gap. I dont think there is that much adjustment left.

 

Merry Christmas!

Install the rail first and than the cross bar, that should fix it.

let me know how that works out.

 

Same here on my 550h+.

I'd say the OP's gap looks larger than what I have, though hard to tell.. My front mount is evenly split with a gap on both ends. Perhaps it can be moved side to side to make the gap larger on one side.

This is something I would never have noticed had this post not brought it up.

While it appears to be a design error, I don't think it will present a problem. I don't think it's meant to be a water tight seal or anything like that.

I'm also considering removing the cross bars anyway., I hadn't paid much attention to them when ordered. I didn't realize they were so close together, front to back. I thought maybe once in a blue moon, I'd throw some lumber up there. But being so close together, they wouldn't support it very well.

 

I will quickly admit I'm in the dark on this. What are the crossbars for, where do they fit and what function do they serve?

QUOTE=gvan1998;12007849]I just installed my factory crossbars. I have some huge gaps where the front crossbar mounts on the passenger side. Can anyone with factory crossbars post a picture, or confirm if they have the gap? Specifically, it is the front-right side. I found a picture from the Grand Highlander forum.
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These are the roof rack cross bars. The things you might attach a cargo pod, ski rack or similar roof accessory on to. The close-up photo is where this attaches into the roof. The black part is the plastic that covers the base of the mount.where t attaches to he roof. As shown it seems too short to cover well. Likely just an aesthetic issue and then only if you're 7 feet tall and can look down on the roof. Else it's in the category of just bugging someone once they know it's there, becasue it does appear to be a design error.

It would seem to allow more rain to get under he mount. This is probably not an issue since I don't think it is meant to be a water tight seal. It would seem there could be some potential for wind noise while driving at high speed, but I've not noticed anything on mine.

 

2025 TX500h, pretty good fit except for a little gap in the front

 

Thanks so much! I assumed it would be this but with close up shots I was not sure.