Yakima roof rack setup
10-17-2009, 04:36 PM
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GLA250 4Matic, 911 Carrera S, R1250 GS Adv.
Yakima roof rack setup
I want to be able to carry my skis and possibly other cargo on the roof of my new GLK.
I already own the Yakima round crossbars and the ski holders that attach to them. And recently I went to REI and purchased Yakima's new "Rail Grabs" to adapt their round bars to the GLK's factory roof rails. Today I assembled and installed the Yakima pieces and have reached the following conclusions:
1. The Yakima pieces fit properly and seem extremely sturdy.
2. The Yakima bars are about 1.5 in. lower than the factory crossbars, which I also own (but there aren't any obvious clearance problems).
3. There are lots of Yakima carriers (skis, bikes, kayaks, baskets, etc.) available out there to fit the Yakima bars.
4. The factory crossbar setup is much "cleaner" and more integrated looking and has no bar ends sticking out to the side.
The point of all that is to point out that the Yakima setup fits well and may have some advantages over the factory crossbar setup.
What I have finally decided to do is to order the basic M-B ski holder set ($124) and attach it to my factory crossbars. My Yakima stuff will go back to REI or eBay. If I needed more rooftop versatility, I'd probably go entirely Yakima instead.
I already own the Yakima round crossbars and the ski holders that attach to them. And recently I went to REI and purchased Yakima's new "Rail Grabs" to adapt their round bars to the GLK's factory roof rails. Today I assembled and installed the Yakima pieces and have reached the following conclusions:
1. The Yakima pieces fit properly and seem extremely sturdy.
2. The Yakima bars are about 1.5 in. lower than the factory crossbars, which I also own (but there aren't any obvious clearance problems).
3. There are lots of Yakima carriers (skis, bikes, kayaks, baskets, etc.) available out there to fit the Yakima bars.
4. The factory crossbar setup is much "cleaner" and more integrated looking and has no bar ends sticking out to the side.
The point of all that is to point out that the Yakima setup fits well and may have some advantages over the factory crossbar setup.
What I have finally decided to do is to order the basic M-B ski holder set ($124) and attach it to my factory crossbars. My Yakima stuff will go back to REI or eBay. If I needed more rooftop versatility, I'd probably go entirely Yakima instead.
