2012 Yukon Roof Rack Suggestions

[krbjmpr]

So, after using a silly cargo basket for a while, have decided to go a bit of different direction. Planning on removing sides, and shortening to 60" from 90ish.I hate the way the basket mounts to cross bars. Looks hokey, feels sketchy, though has proved to be quite secure. Only have about 75#, basically solar panel & hvac compressor (testing placement).

What I need / want are cross bars that are flat across surface, not curved / arched. Even better would be clamps that work with existing rails (highly preferred). +1 on that would be to drop the platform between rails, probably sitting on pad or something if contacts top of roof.

Anybody have suggestions? Again, trying to stick with factory rails.

And the solar panel? It is the bee's knees. 200w flex panel ziptied to basket, running through dual mppt charge controller for start battery & 2 power stations. Getting around 1kw during S Texas summer sun while at work. The shade from panel makes a huge difference on interior temps! Wife says have to put back panel & mppts for hurricane season, but I have a working plan if can solve roof rack issue.

 

[Charlie207]

So, after using a silly cargo basket for a while, have decided to go a bit of different direction. Planning on removing sides, and shortening to 60" from 90ish.I hate the way the basket mounts to cross bars. Looks hokey, feels sketchy, though has proved to be quite secure. Only have about 75#, basically solar panel & hvac compressor (testing placement).

What I need / want are cross bars that are flat across surface, not curved / arched. Even better would be clamps that work with existing rails (highly preferred). +1 on that would be to drop the platform between rails, probably sitting on pad or something if contacts top of roof.

Anybody have suggestions? Again, trying to stick with factory rails.

And the solar panel? It is the bee's knees. 200w flex panel ziptied to basket, running through dual mppt charge controller for start battery & 2 power stations. Getting around 1kw during S Texas summer sun while at work. The shade from panel makes a huge difference on interior temps! Wife says have to put back panel & mppts for hurricane season, but I have a working plan if can solve roof rack issue.

Which rails do you have? There are several factory option for the GMT900.

I'm at the same point, and while I was happy to find out my old Yakima Control Towers fit the bosses in the bare roof, I'm not a huge fan of the perceived weaknesses. That being said, the factory plastic towers, which supported my rail, didn't seem that robust at all.

Yakima C/S said they don't have a bolt-in solution for the naked room, but did say they have Control Pads (bases) that use two mounting bolts, and that Control Towers and Skyline both work in the same Control Pads. I have the #11 Control Pads, but the #6 Pads might be a good/stronger solution if I were to fabricate an intermediate plate to adapt the #6 Pads to the factory threaded bosses, which are spaced differently front vs. rear, because FU.

If you have the raised rails, you can get the Timberline kit, which clamps onto the rails, and replaces the terrible factory flat crossbars. https://yakima.com/products/timberline-system

 

[krbjmpr]

Which rails? Not sure. Truck is an SLT, rails not flush, contact body at ends and middle.

 

[krbjmpr]

Was looking at the pads you mentioned, specifically #11. Looked at #6 too. And your Pic.

If I understand correctly, the #11 fits all 3 positions, but the #6 does not?

I really like the idea of the roads. A lot. So much so that I am tempted to commission a set of 'pads' for all 6 positions out of billet aluminum, and be able to fill my specific needs. Should have thought about this approach before, don't know why I didnt.

 

[Polomatt]

Was looking at the pads you mentioned, specifically #11. Looked at #6 too. And your Pic.

If I understand correctly, the #11 fits all 3 positions, but the #6 does not?

I really like the idea of the roads. A lot. So much so that I am tempted to commission a set of 'pads' for all 6 positions out of billet aluminum, and be able to fill my specific needs. Should have thought about this approach before, don't know why I didnt.

how do i get the crossing rails off that go from side to side

 

[krbjmpr]

First, pull the plastic filler / plug off the end of front / back rail on each side.
Then get a friend to help you slide cross bars backwards and off.