When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
No rack but what kind of tires did you run Scarzie to drive in that kind of snow? I have A/S 3+s and am really curious how it will move in VA winters. Rack looks good though
No rack but what kind of tires did you run Scarzie to drive in that kind of snow? I have A/S 3+s and am really curious how it will move in VA winters. Rack looks good though
Went with Pirelli Sottozero's in stock sizes (the only tire I believe that carries our rear tire size in a winter). Was thinking about getting a dedicated set of winter wheels but bought her CPO'ed and the stock tires were just about shot when I swapped them to winters - figured I'd put that dough towards a new set of summers.
So far only one big storm (12+") and it handled phenomenally. Been gripping great in the cold weather
I put the sottozero II's on as well in the staggered config on Friday, then had to put down about 200 miles during a snow storm all day Saturday. I was a little worried how the E63S would handle in the snow, but it is an absolute beast. There were even some scenarios where I was traveling 50+ on unpaved and it did phenomenally.
Martin, Which cross bars are you using? The OEM ones sit much higher, don't they?
+1; I run an old set of Yakima bars and a huge toybox on top of the GLS550 - hadn't considered running racks on the wagon - until now . The GLS is our go-to winter road trip car when we need to haul ski gear or whatever.
Martin, Which cross bars are you using? The OEM ones sit much higher, don't they?
They are Whispbar S45. They are the only set I found that sit flush with the rails. Some may like and some may not, depending on what they attach. It’s a tight fit with the box I use. Clamps are within 1/4 inch of the roof.
The other set I’d consider is the Thule Aeroblade wingbars. They sit up higher but are quiet. I actually have a set that I mistakenly ordered thinking it was the correct set for my other vehicle. Will likely hold on to them as I’m considering switching boxes to the Skiguard 830T which has cutouts through the bottom.
I've gone through the few threads talking about roof racks for wagons and they mention Whispbar S45 and Thule 7503 Aeroblade.
But what I need clarification on is the actual lengths. When searching for S45 I see some pairs that are just 910mm while some are 980-1080mm. For the aeroblades are people using two 7503 or a 7502+7503?
Whispbars are discontinued. Yakima now call them rail bars, and that is what I purchased for my 2014 wagon. The "large" size is what I ordered, they have an adjustable range to them. Yakima part number is 8000434, I believe that part number for for a single bar. Also they come without lock cores, so those need to be purchased separately. These bars are very nice but are pretty low profile, don't operate the sunroof with these in place... You'd need some towers to do that.
Whispbars are discontinued. Yakima now call them rail bars, and that is what I purchased for my 2014 wagon. The "large" size is what I ordered, they have an adjustable range to them. Yakima part number is 8000434, I believe that part number for for a single bar. Also they come without lock cores, so those need to be purchased separately. These bars are very nice but are pretty low profile, don't operate the sunroof with these in place... You'd need some towers to do that.
Thanks for the info.
I think I've settled on finding something used cause I don't anticipate using the rack and roof box enough to justify buying new. With that said, Yakima cross bars don't seem to be as popular as Thule Aeroblades locally.
12-28-2017, 02:33 PM
wish I could get bars to let it sit as low on the roof as the wagons.
. The GLS is our go-to winter road trip car when we need to haul ski gear or whatever.
