To Roof Rack or Not to Roof Rack - that is the question?

[PhillyGirl2006]

I agree with LadyRidge... I got the roof rack just for the look. When I was shopping for them I kept telling the dealer "something's missing" - I couldn't believe it wasn't a standard accessory. IMHO it adds a sporty look to an otherwise bare (no offense) silhouette.

[PhillyGirl2006]

Oh and the basketball net....that was a special order option to complete that "sporty" look

[jpphoto]

I chose not to get the roof rack. It was too short!!. No fault of Honda just a fact of what I would have used them for.

When I had my Exploder I used to haul panels for my photography displays. They were 8 feet long and grabbed the wind something fierce. When I strapped them down I had to put the crossbars at the farthest parts (5 feet in-between) of the rack to keep them from bouncing with the air going over them.

My boss then got new boards because they were a foot too wide to fit in the Ridge's bed.

[Altamont]

I've got a black Ridge, the roof rack looked sharp. I had to go with a Yakima setup, my two Kayaks were a bit much for the factory rack. the Yak gives me a little more crossbar spread to further stabilize by 17 foot boats, and the bars are a little more burly. I still have the Honda rack if any of "youse" is interested in it. make me an offer if so. it's taking up space in the garage. I'll e-bay it if no one wants it. first dibs to ROC members.

[woodco]

If you want to sacrifice you quiet interior ride at speed for a roof rack that is up to you. It generates a lot of noise, and even with a wind fairing in front of it the noise is still offensive. I'll take the quiet ride...However if I really needed to transport something on the roof, I would rent a temporary one.

Again very noisy...mostly from the cross bars.

Vinnie

P.S. REmember its an install that requires you to put holes in your roof...???

[tlaudio]

Originally Posted by woodco

P.S. REmember its an install that requires you to put holes in your roof...???

No holes are required. The bolts are there from the factory. They are under the black strips on the roof. It is a bolt on accessory. Only need to make some cuts in the black strips on the roof.....

I removed my cross bars & the noise is 95% gone. I like the looks. It seems very naked on top without them......but to each their own. It is a personal decision...YMMV

[bongus]

Originally Posted by woodco

P.S. REmember its an install that requires you to put holes in your roof...???

Come on now...if you're serious can a mod flag this posting...can't believe someone is spreading this BS. You DO NOT need to put holes on your roof. If you remove the black metal moulding on the roof you will see there are threaded bolts sticking out...that's where you mount the rack.

[Cajun Country Ridgeline]

Hope this is not a duplication. Computer froze up again.

Purchased the Roof Rack when purchasing the Truck. Very happy with the looks.
I see more Ridgelines with out the Roof Rack, but it does dress up the truck.
Some people complain about wind noise, I have never had that problem.

Good Luck on your decision.!!!!!

[halkimbrough]

I got a laugh out of your post because this was a big deal with my kids when I bought a black RL. They informed me that the Ridgeline "looks like a Power Rangers truck" but that the roof rack would help the look. So I gave in. Of course it's a matter of personal preference, but I do believe the roof rack gives the Ridgeline a more athletic look.

It is true about the extra wind noise, but in my experience it is minor. I only notice it when the radio is off and I am going under 50 mph. For me, the noise would not be enough of a factor to enter into the decision.

[mugen1]

Too bad we can't poll non-Ridgeline owners. I've had people come up to me and say nice roof rack, that looks really beefy. We all know it can't hold anything, but to the untrained eye, it's a great looking rack. I seem to get this mainly from mini van owners.