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Post by 152bobby on Apr 9, 2018 0:44:35 GMT
Hi,
Can anyone recommend a tried, tested and reliable roof rack for my 2011 Rav4.
I don't have the roof rails on my car, so it will have to be a set that fits without rails on the roof.
I've been looking on eBay etc, Thule seem to be good and there are a few more makes.
Reason for this is to stick my bike on it, so it will have to be something that I can also fit an attachment to hold my bike securely.
Cheers
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Post by three5 on Apr 9, 2018 10:10:21 GMT
Hi, Can anyone recommend a tried, tested and reliable roof rack for my 2011 Rav4. I don't have the roof rails on my car, so it will have to be a set that fits without rails on the roof. I've been looking on eBay etc, Thule seem to be good and there are a few more makes. Reason for this is to stick my bike on it, so it will have to be something that I can also fit an attachment to hold my bike securely. Cheers The Thule stuff is always good IMHO. They make the towbars which Toyota fit and that ought to be some sort of recommendation. You'll be younger and fitter than me so lifting bikes onto the roof should not be much of a problem, but have you considered a towball mounted bike carrier? I've used one for a few years including taking it to the continent and never had any problems. The latest version that I bought is a Thule which carries up to 4 bikes. The attraction of this one is that when the bikes are mounted on the rack you can release a catch and tilt them backwards sufficiently to ( partially ) open the rear door. Mine is side opening but with yours it would probably open all the way with the rack tilted. My reason for adopting this solution is that I'm always concerned about bashing the RAV roof when loading the bikes onto a top rack or forgeting that I have them on when entering a car park with a height restriction. I bought the bike rack from roofbox.co.uk who usually do a good deal. Just noticed that the have the Giro racks as well which are worth considering ( www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/2_x_atera_giro_af_bike_carriers_with_roof_bars/Qx%40w%2C6M42VAwp3%40Rb%7B~cC4ure%60JNYj ) however, Halfords were cheapest ( at the time ) I could find for the towbar. |
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Post by 152bobby on Apr 9, 2018 10:27:06 GMT
Thanks for the info.
Sure enough, I'd have one and use a towball one if I could get a towbar fitted, but cannot because I have a custom fitted dual exhaust fitted, useless me, I should have got the towbar fitted first and then the exhaust, so a lesson learnt.
I do use a towball bike carrier on our Toyota Estima and it's great, easy and simple.
I do have a bike rack that hangs on the back, but it's not ideal, but I suppose it does the job, but certainly not as quick and easy as a towball one.
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Post by philip42h on Apr 9, 2018 11:36:31 GMT
No experience so no 'recommendation' but wouldn't the simplest / best solution be to fit Toyota OEM roof rails and then the cycle carrier of your choice. Again I'd be look at Thule as a first port of call ...
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Post by 152bobby on Apr 9, 2018 11:40:18 GMT
Yes, but I could save money (I think) and don't have the OEM Toyota rails and go straight for Thule roof rack that fits the car without rails.
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Post by bigkev on Apr 9, 2018 16:17:02 GMT
Boab min......the expense , admittedly, of the Toyota OEM rails may well be negated by the ability to stride them with Lidl type cheapo bars, on to which you strap yer own cycle carrier and bikes, Then when ye remove all the bike paraffin ailya......new words there.........you are left with the improved aesthetic of the Toyota RAILS on the Rav.
Worth costing it oot, as most things Thule are expensive anywayhowz.......
Leaves ye sufficient funds for a wee pair of steps to use for reaching them bikes..........no multi storey car parks, mind.......lol.
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Post by phaeton on Apr 10, 2018 11:52:02 GMT
Personally I would always go with the Thule towbar mounted bike rack, Rav's are high to be lifting bikes up in the air, also if on the towbar they are less of a aero block
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Post by 152bobby on Apr 10, 2018 15:43:42 GMT
Boab min......the expense , admittedly, of the Toyota OEM rails may well be negated by the ability to stride them with Lidl type cheapo bars, on to which you strap yer own cycle carrier and bikes, Then when ye remove all the bike paraffin ailya......new words there.........you are left with the improved aesthetic of the Toyota RAILS on the Rav. Worth costing it oot, as most things Thule are expensive anywayhowz....... Leaves ye sufficient funds for a wee pair of steps to use for reaching them bikes..........no multi storey car parks, mind.......lol. Cheers for the input. Found the below genuine ones on ebay (Burrows) who are Toyota. Oddly states to 2010...why ? I thought up to 2012 or 13 they were the same up until the models switched to the new shape !!! Still a lot of money just for the rails. rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F281424414412 |
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Post by 152bobby on Apr 10, 2018 15:51:05 GMT
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Post by davrav on Apr 10, 2018 16:33:08 GMT
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Post by 152bobby on Apr 10, 2018 22:12:16 GMT
Thanks. I've emailed the guy selling the pair on Gum tree as I cannot make out the part number in the photos. |
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Post by davrav on Apr 10, 2018 23:10:16 GMT
Thanks. I've emailed the guy selling the pair on Gum tree as I cannot make out the part number in the photos. No, I couldn't either. |
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Post by phaeton on Apr 11, 2018 8:20:09 GMT
I have Winbo ones, they seem fine, although a little close to the roof to use a cycle carrier, but as I put earlier I swapped to towbar one, too high for me to lift
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Post by Rambler on Apr 19, 2018 14:28:12 GMT
Over the last year I've fitted Toyota roof rails , then halfords roof bars to the rails.
I've just fitted Thule free ride twin bike rack to the bars.
It's solid !
I have a 3 step pr of steps to reach the roof with.
It takes perhaps 30 seconds per bike to load them up.
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