Recommendations on roof rack cross bars

[Antonm]

Of course GM wants a small fortune, but there are like a lot of available options for roof rack crossbars (aka cheap knockoffs) out there. Is there a go-to brand, other than genuine GM, that's known to not be crap? Thanks.
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[Dirty30]

I think Thule makes a set. Not very many options but I did look for a bit one day and found they had a kit. I need to call and double check the website was correct. Mine has the panoramic sunroof and no mounting holes like my old one(2016). Let me know if you find one that works. Do you have the pano sunroof?

 

[Antonm]

I think Thule makes a set. Not very many options but I did look for a bit one day and found they had a kit. I need to call and double check the website was correct. Mine has the panoramic sunroof and no mounting holes like my old one(2016). Let me know if you find one that works. Do you have the pano sunroof?

Yes, I have panoramic sunroof, does that make a difference in which roof rack cross bars will fit?
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[Vladimir2306]

I have the Thule Kit installed. There is a kit for installation on integrated roof rails.

 

[olyelr]

I think Thule makes a set. Not very many options but I did look for a bit one day and found they had a kit. I need to call and double check the website was correct. Mine has the panoramic sunroof and no mounting holes like my old one(2016). Let me know if you find one that works. Do you have the pano sunroof?

The bars dont use holes…they mount to the roof rails.

 

[olyelr]

We went the thule route with the box, but with the gm rails. They are stout as hell. Has the pano roof also…

 

[Dirty30]

I have the Thule Kit installed. There is a kit for installation on integrated roof rails.

Did your Denali come two tone like that or did you have it done? Looks sweet.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Did your Denali come two tone like that or did you have it done? Looks sweet.

I did it, by myself)) it's vinil on the roof)

 

[BacDoc]

I’m looking into roof racks for my Tahoe and a good source for information and pricing is etrailer.com. I have called them and they have people who know trucks and parts compatibility that are easy to talk to and will give you all the help you need. They are retailer for many of the big rack companies like Thule and Yakima.

Both Thule and Yakima make great choices for the Tahoe/Yukon. I have had both and the only difference is the appearance - both are high end quality brands that will last and hold cargo securely.

 

[TXbarney]

I have another GM vehicle and while it is not cross bars, it gives you tie downs.
Purchased stainless "U" bolts at the home improvement store. They come with nuts and a strip of metal between the 2 legs. I think the size I used was 1/4 inch. The size is determined by the slot in your roof rails. I made a second cross strip and purchased additional stainless nuts.
I loaded the assembly in this order... nut, cross strip, second cross strip, and nut.
the last nut is positioned at the end of the "U" bolt.
Remove the end of the roof rail and slide the "U" bolt assembly into the slot.
you want one cross bar on the inside and the other on the outside.
Slide the "U" bolt to the desired location and tighten the nuts on the outside and that locks
the "U" bolt in place. This does not give you a cross bar but now you have tie downs

 

[CriticalThinker]

I bought the factory cross-rails from a seller on eBay and paid less than the dealer/mfgr price. I love them. They're very strong and quiet and they're easy to put on and remove (as well as lockable). I put a Thule carrier on them and drove over 3000 miles, never had any wind noise, etc.

 

[CDONNS]

I went the Amazon route and have had no complaints, the bars, attachment and innards are all metal and work great. $199 all in

 

[Antonm]

I have another GM vehicle and while it is not cross bars, it gives you tie downs.
Purchased stainless "U" bolts at the home improvement store. They come with nuts and a strip of metal between the 2 legs. I think the size I used was 1/4 inch. The size is determined by the slot in your roof rails. I made a second cross strip and purchased additional stainless nuts.
I loaded the assembly in this order... nut, cross strip, second cross strip, and nut.
the last nut is positioned at the end of the "U" bolt.
Remove the end of the roof rail and slide the "U" bolt assembly into the slot.
you want one cross bar on the inside and the other on the outside.
Slide the "U" bolt to the desired location and tighten the nuts on the outside and that locks
the "U" bolt in place. This does not give you a cross bar but now you have tie downs

I can't really picture in my mind what your saying? Could you please post of a picture of this setup? While I can't use a direct tie down method on the Tahoe (has the panoramic sunroof, most of the roof is glass, I ain't putting nothing directly on that) it might be helpful for another SUV we own.
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[KMeloney]

I bought the factory cross-rails from a seller on eBay and paid less than the dealer/mfgr price. I love them. They're very strong and quiet and they're easy to put on and remove (as well as lockable). I put a Thule carrier on them and drove over 3000 miles, never had any wind noise, etc.

Have you (or anyone else on this thread) noticed whether or not the factory cross bars mar the factory roof rails in any way? I'm interested in getting a set, but I likely wouldn't keep them on the truck full-time -- so I'm wondering if you can tell in any way that the you've had the cross bars clamped to your rails when you take them off.