Attach non-factory rack to roof chanels instead of door?

[marley]

I see several people have used non-factory racks that clip on the door frame. While this works, I worry about the wear of the clips on the door frame to the seals etc.

Has anyone tried attaching a non-factory rack to the chanels that the factory racks bolt on to?

I have a Saris rack and bought the right Honda clips but my load bar is about 2" too short (the RL is way wider than my Pathfinder or Dakota was). Saris stopped making roof racks so I can't easily get a longer bar and would rather not clip into the frame anyways. I still have some adaptors (4 of them, each about 4" wide) from my old truck that bolted to the cap and provided a lip to attach any clips to. It worked like a charm for the cap but I'm not interested in buying a cap for the RL.

I was thinking about seeing if the cap adaptors have the same hole spacing and happen to fit the bolts in the roof chanel. If so, I can use my existing rack an get a secure fit without clipping to the door frame.

Has anyone tried this? Or know if there are similar adaptors available that would fit onto the chanel bolts?

This would just be too perfect...

[BillB]

You will probably need to buy a set of rails to sit in the channels. Yakima and Thule offer this. Just drill holes in the rails to match the Honda points and use the Honda bolts (surely availabe at parts department) to go into the roof. I did a custom rack onto the bed rails in the back using Yakima rails and tapped my own holes into the rails with fasteners they call plush nuts. These are like drywall expansion bolts and push into the sheetmetal and do not need nuts on the underside to keep the rails attached, but if you use the Honda attachment points, you will likely not need these push through bolts.

[rtsdave]

2 things:

1: You can still get Saris roof rack gear, including bars, clips, and adapters. The set for the Ridge is a 902, and can be had for approx. $220, including shipping if you go to the right web source. I too dislike the idea of pinching the seals or otherwise marring the finish of the door jamb. I think Saris racks are the best option, as they seem to offer the easiest installation and removal for temporary use of any of the big name racks. Also, I think you can not over-tighten the clips onto the jamb, like you can with other brands, or so I have heard.

2: I understand none of the Thule or Yakima screw down rails fit down in the roof channels. This was my first choice when I was looking into the roof rack choices. some guys have drilled the rails (or tracks) right into the roof panel with the appropriate hardware and sealan, and even painted to match. The installations look good, but I just can't bring myself to drill the roof. it is not for everyone.

[marley]

Originally Posted by rtsdave

2 things:

1: You can still get Saris roof rack gear, including bars, clips, and adapters.

I agree, the Saris racks are amazing, I've had mine for 10 years with snowboard, canoe and bike attachements, wind ferring, locks etc. I can carry a 17' canoe in the middle with a bike on either side. Love it. But the Saris site doesn't have any info anymore and from what i heard they stopped making roof racks. Too bad. Some stores still have old stock around so I may look for longer load bars but want to try the other solution first since I don't want to drill or use the door jams.

I think I will see if my cap adaptors fit this weekend and will let everyone know how it goes...

[rtsdave]

I think it is a #24 adapter/clip set that is req'd.

You can look at dero.com for more info. They seemed to have the best price I found when I was going to buy some.