Yakima RailGrab/crossbar/snow rack questions

Wayneman · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:23 pm **Posts:** 9

Hey, everyone. I'm a new, first-time Jeep owner - just picked up a 2011 Liberty. Woohoo!!!

Snowboarding season is coming up and I'm thinking of mounting the Yakima RailGrab system with the Big PowderHound snow rack. Looking for advice from anyone using this configuration.

a) I'm wondering if I can use the 48" crossbars instead of the 58" crossbars that the fitting guide recommends. I want to minimize the overhang outside the roof rail.

b) How noisy is the configuration at 60-70 mph? Do I need to get a fairing?

c) Will the rack interfere with sun roof operation?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Wayneman · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:23 pm **Posts:** 9

No one uses the Yakima RailGrab system...to attach Yakima cross rails to the factory raised rails? Really?

Then what are people using for cross rails?

I've read here and elsewhere that the EOM and Mopar aftermarket cross rails are not as study as aftermarket products from vendors that specialize in racks. Before I drop money on the Yakima cross rails, I want to hear about someone's actual experience with them.

At The Helm · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 5:04 pm

I just drop the 40 section of my rear seat and throw my board bag in. It stays there from Nov-May.

Ted15 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 5:08 pm

Wayneman wrote:

No one uses the Yakima RailGrab system...to attach Yakima cross rails to the factory raised rails? Really?

Then what are people using for cross rails?

I've read here and elsewhere that the EOM and Mopar aftermarket cross rails are not as study as aftermarket products from vendors that specialize in racks. Before I drop money on the Yakima cross rails, I want to hear about someone's actual experience with them.

The OEM cross rails are made by Thule and are very sturdy. I had a different brand but they were made the same way. I sold them because I bought a safari basket that replaces the OEM rails and didn't need them. The basket that sits on cross rails is way too high IMO. My cross rails were over an inch thick, add the 1"plus diameter of the jeeps rails and the clamps for the basket and you'd be looking at an additional 3" or so. Put lights on top of that and you'd be asking for trouble.

Ted15 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 5:11 pm

Any crossbar system, no matter who makes it will add noise, with or without a fairing. I done know much about Yakima accept that I checked out their bike racks and they seemed pretty well made.

Wayneman · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:23 pm **Posts:** 9

Atthehelm wrote:

I just drop the 40 section of my rear seat and throw my board bag in. It stays there from Nov-May.

Thanks for the response.

I thought about keeping the boards inside. However, most weekends I will be driving 2+ hours between Long Island and Hunter Mtn, in the Catskills. Don't want to deal with melted snow in back on the return trip - if I leave the boards in the bags, the edges will start to rust. When I do a VT run, I will have a full truck and will need the space for the gear.

I need a rack.

At The Helm · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 5:58 pm

Wayneman wrote:

Atthehelm wrote:

I just drop the 40 section of my rear seat and throw my board bag in. It stays there from Nov-May.

Thanks for the response.

I thought about keeping the boards inside. However, most weekends I will be driving 2+ hours between Long Island and Hunter Mtn, in the Catskills. Don't want to deal with melted snow in back on the return trip - if I leave the boards in the bags, the edges will start to rust. When I do a VT run, I will have a full truck and will need the space for the gear.

I need a rack.

My bag is waterproof so not an issue for me. Plus I ride so often the surface rust isn't an issue. If it does rust, its gone after the first run. I understand though if you need the space with passengers and such.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:44 pm

Wayneman wrote:

No one uses the Yakima RailGrab system...to attach Yakima cross rails to the factory raised rails? Really?

Then what are people using for cross rails?

I've read here and elsewhere that the EOM and Mopar aftermarket cross rails are not as study as aftermarket products from vendors that specialize in racks. Before I drop money on the Yakima cross rails, I want to hear about someone's actual experience with them.

I'm building my own crossbars this weekend, and got everything I needed from the local hardware store. The whole setup will be under $100 and stronger than any OEM or aftermarket setup you can buy. Here's my crossbar build thread: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=72548 There are many other homemade crossbars out there. Atthehelm and Cherrie (and many others) have posted theirs on LOST too.

Wayneman · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:23 pm **Posts:** 9

Ted15 wrote:

Wayneman wrote:

No one uses the Yakima RailGrab system...to attach Yakima cross rails to the factory raised rails? Really?

Then what are people using for cross rails?

I've read here and elsewhere that the EOM and Mopar aftermarket cross rails are not as study as aftermarket products from vendors that specialize in racks. Before I drop money on the Yakima cross rails, I want to hear about someone's actual experience with them.

The OEM cross rails are made by Thule and are very sturdy. I had a different brand but they were made the same way. I sold them because I bought a safari basket that replaces the OEM rails and didn't need them. The basket that sits on cross rails is way too high IMO. My cross rails were over an inch thick, add the 1"plus diameter of the jeeps rails and the clamps for the basket and you'd be looking at an additional 3" or so. Put lights on top of that and you'd be asking for trouble.

Thanks for your response.

I didn't realize that Thule designed the OEM cross rails. That does make me feel a little better about them.

I've read that the Yakima windjammers and fairings reduce road noise. I'm wondering how much they reduce mileage :-/

Wayneman · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:23 pm **Posts:** 9

lfhoward wrote:

Wayneman wrote:

No one uses the Yakima RailGrab system...to attach Yakima cross rails to the factory raised rails? Really?

Then what are people using for cross rails?

I've read here and elsewhere that the EOM and Mopar aftermarket cross rails are not as study as aftermarket products from vendors that specialize in racks. Before I drop money on the Yakima cross rails, I want to hear about someone's actual experience with them.

I'm building my own crossbars this weekend, and got everything I needed from the local hardware store. The whole setup will be under $100 and stronger than any OEM or aftermarket setup you can buy. Here's my crossbar build thread: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=72548 There are many other homemade crossbars out there. Atthehelm and Cherrie (and many others) have posted theirs on LOST too.

Thanks for your response.

Your concept look really solid...probably a lot more solid than I need for a snowboard rack. Also, is yours going to be a permanent installation? I'm planning to take the cross rails down at the end of the season.

I can actually get 58" Yakima cross rails on the humble from one of my buddies. If I go with those, I can get the RailGrabs for $132. I was trying to find out if I need to spend another $79 for the fairing.

On a separate topic...

How the heck did you get 18+ mpgs. I'm driving like a old lady (no offense to any old ladies in the group) on Sunday morning, and the best that I've been able to get is 16.2. I'm thinking about abandoning the search for mpgs and going in search of hps.

Ted15 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 12:11 am

Wayneman wrote:

Ted15 wrote:

Wayneman wrote:

No one uses the Yakima RailGrab system...to attach Yakima cross rails to the factory raised rails? Really?

Then what are people using for cross rails?

I've read here and elsewhere that the EOM and Mopar aftermarket cross rails are not as study as aftermarket products from vendors that specialize in racks. Before I drop money on the Yakima cross rails, I want to hear about someone's actual experience with them.

The OEM cross rails are made by Thule and are very sturdy. I had a different brand but they were made the same way. I sold them because I bought a safari basket that replaces the OEM rails and didn't need them. The basket that sits on cross rails is way too high IMO. My cross rails were over an inch thick, add the 1"plus diameter of the jeeps rails and the clamps for the basket and you'd be looking at an additional 3" or so. Put lights on top of that and you'd be asking for trouble.

Thanks for your response.

I didn't realize that Thule designed the OEM cross rails. That does make me feel a little better about them.

I've read that the Yakima windjammers and fairings reduce road noise. I'm wondering how much they reduce mileage :-/

I'm with ya on the mileage, I've seen some report over 20mpg :dizzy:

I've never gotten over 16mpg. The only thing I can think of to get mileage like that would be to look at what the evic is saying, or maybe 2wd, or both. The only way to figure mileage is to do the math, the computer isn't always right, just an estimation after it runs a logarithm.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:17 am

Wayneman wrote:

lfhoward wrote:

Wayneman wrote:

No one uses the Yakima RailGrab system...to attach Yakima cross rails to the factory raised rails? Really?

Then what are people using for cross rails?

I've read here and elsewhere that the EOM and Mopar aftermarket cross rails are not as study as aftermarket products from vendors that specialize in racks. Before I drop money on the Yakima cross rails, I want to hear about someone's actual experience with them.

I'm building my own crossbars this weekend, and got everything I needed from the local hardware store. The whole setup will be under $100 and stronger than any OEM or aftermarket setup you can buy. Here's my crossbar build thread: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=72548 There are many other homemade crossbars out there. Atthehelm and Cherrie (and many others) have posted theirs on LOST too.

Thanks for your response.

Your concept look really solid...probably a lot more solid than I need for a snowboard rack. Also, is yours going to be a permanent installation? I'm planning to take the cross rails down at the end of the season.

I can actually get 58" Yakima cross rails on the humble from one of my buddies. If I go with those, I can get the RailGrabs for $132. I was trying to find out if I need to spend another $79 for the fairing.

I was thinking that it will be semi-permanent. I'd need a wrench to take it off, but that wouldn't be too hard. My roof basket has a fairing, so I wasn't going to worry about making one for the crossbars.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:32 am

Ted15 wrote:

I'm with ya on the mileage, I've seen some report over 20mpg :dizzy:

I've never gotten over 16mpg. The only thing I can think of to get mileage like that would be to look at what the evic is saying, or maybe 2wd, or both. The only way to figure mileage is to do the math, the computer isn't always right, just an estimation after it runs a logarithm.

Agreed about doing the math. The Fuelly numbers in my sig are straight from miles travelled / gallons of gas, recorded at every fill-up. I don't have the EVIC in my KK sport, but I've heard they tend to overestimate the mileage. I think my mpg numbers are high because of the amount of highway driving I do. For tanks where I do nothing but commute through the city to work, I get about 14 mpg. On the highway, I can get about 22-23. My philosophy is to accelerate normally (not taking too long to get up to speed) but then coast as much as possible. I try to time traffic lights so that I am still moving when they turn green, to minimize stop and go. On the interstate I try to follow trucks, which gives me about 2 mpg over what I could do if I were pushing the air myself. I don't draft trucks by tailgating, just follow them at normal distance. And I don't speed. I think that makes a big difference. Last Christmas I got a Scangauge to give me feedback about when I'm driving efficiently. I've never been able to calibrate it perfectly, but it does help to let me know when I am using a lot of gas, and when I am doing ok. Connecting back to the original thread, it will be interesting to see how much my mileage changes with bars and a basket on the roof.

Wayneman · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:23 pm **Posts:** 9

I ordered the Yakima RailGrabs. I'll be picking up "lightly-used" Yakima cross rails, fairings and Big PowderHound snowboard rack from someone local. It feels like a good compromise - good, reliable equipment at a discount.

I will start a separate thread about mpg impact of the full setup once I mount it and start driving around with it.

Thanks everyone who responded to this thread. I really appreciate your input.

Ted15 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:48 am

Wayneman · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:23 pm **Posts:** 9

I installed the Yakima RailGrabs, crossbars, Big PowderHound ski rack and fairing this past Friday and went to Killington for the weekend. Worked great. Only to reconsider is that I mounted the ski rack in the center. It's aesthetically appealing, but functionally a PIA - have to stand on rear wheel and rear door sill to get to snowboards.

infernicus · **Posted:** Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:11 pm

Hey man, looks good!
I can't wait to get out there and hit some trails. How was Killington?
Also, welcome to LOST!
Also, where in LI are you? There is a decent crew from Queens/Long Island on here.

Enjoy your stay!

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:00 am

What are my options for roof rails? I want sturdy, not plastic. My KK didn't come with any rails at all, just the plastic goofy things lol.

Ted15 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:22 am

TurboGoKart wrote:

What are my options for roof rails? I want sturdy, not plastic. My KK didn't come with any rails at all, just the plastic goofy things lol.

If you're not in a hurry, Rocklizard makes VERY good ones. I hear they'll be up and running after the first of the year. :mrgreen:

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:07 am

TurboGoKart wrote:

What are my options for roof rails? I want sturdy, not plastic. My KK didn't come with any rails at all, just the plastic goofy things lol.

My RRO side rails are pretty awesome. I installed it with the adventure rack, but if you went with their crossbars it would be just as sturdy.

RRO has a bad rep (and from some of the stories, they seem to deserve it) and I must've gotten lucky, but the quality is definitely there.

Yakima RailGrab/crossbar/snow rack questions

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