Seems to be a top-notch roof rack for my SUV.
Written: Aug 02 '03 (Updated Aug 02 '03)
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Pros: Very easy installation. Seems like top-quality construction. Low profile.
Cons: Mounts could be a little narrower.
The Bottom Line: I'm impressed. Very easy to install. Appears to be very high quality and will fit my needs.
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| stod's Full Review: Yakima LowRider |
Unfortunately after the 2000 model, Mitsubishi decided to "de-content" the Montero Sport and reduced its factory roof rack to roof side rails. Which forces us MS owners to purchase cross bars if we want a "real roof rack." Available at Mitsu dealers is the Yakima roof rack system. But, since I didn't want to put out the extra money to buy from an auto dealer, I searched for another source. Found it at Mountain Air Sports in San Luis Obispo, CA. A "very excellent source!!"
The Yakima LowRider is a "low profile" mounting and cross-bar system that turns the roof rails into an actual roof rack. You will need a set of four (4) towers and a set of two (2) cross bar members. I would also highly recommend buying a set of four (4) "lock cores" so that you need keys to remove the rack - good theft prevention.
The LowRider system is a multi-sport rack system with tons of options to buy for mounting water sport, snow sport, cargo, bike sport items.
It's an easy (maybe 15-20 minutes), tool-free installation and removal process. The clamping system is all rubber padded to prevent damage to the roof rails. The optional SKS (Single Key System) is easy to install and lost keys can be picked up at any Yakima dealer (if you've written down the key number). Load limit is pretty much limited to what your factory installed rails are listed. In my case, somewhere around 100 pounds. The Yakima cross bars appear that they would hold much more than that (maybe 200 to 225 pounds). My only wish-list for the system, for now, is that the lock cores would be available in a black-powder-coating rather than chrome.
The cross bars are tubular. I went with the Yakimas because of this (plus they are West Coast based for quicker shipping of options, etc.), rather than the Thule system. Thule has square cross bars, and I figured the round tubes would produce much less wind noise.
As far as wind noise...if you are adding ANY cross bars, yes, wind noise will increase. So far, yes there is a noticeable "harmonic hum"! I've noticed that the wind noise is louder running just the cross bars, sans the cargo carrier I also got. According to the rep at Mountain Air Sports, the cross bars actually vibrate (with all roof rack systems), causing the noise. Yakima does offer an "Fairing" as an added-cost option (basically a front-bar spoiler) to help reduce wind noise (around $50).
I purchased the roof rack system so that I could put a cargo carrier on top (also a Yakima - the SpaceBooster - and I'll post an epinion there also, if there is a catagory). If you are planning on adding a roof rack, you'll need to remember, that in addition to cross bars, any thing else you put on top of a vehicle will increase wind noise and decrease gas mileage.
The Yakima system is sold in "components". I paid the following:
$120 for the LowRider system (the 4 mounts)
$45 for the Cross Bars (2 in the set)
$40 for the lock cores (4 in the set)
For a total of $205.
(The SpaceBooster, which is about 11 cubic feet was $259).
The price listing on Epinions is for around $65...but that's for a TWO MOUNT only system (without cross bars and lock cores). You will need the four-mount systems ($120) for any basic configuration.
So far, I'm very pleased with the system. After my next road trip - the first one with the family that I can actually take my golf clubs (okay, my ulterior motive for the racks and the cargo carrier!!) I'll update on the roadabilty of the system.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 205
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Epinions.com ID:
stod
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Location: Central Coast, CA
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 0 members
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