Thinking about adding a roof rack on my GTS...It wil probably be used to carry bicycles, and potentially a roof top box for long trips. I was wondering what brands others have used, what works and what does not, what looks good etc.

Thanks!

 

If you have the factory rails, I got the Porsche cross bars from Suncoast cheaper than I could get the "cheap" Thule or Yakima cross bars even with a REI discount and credit at the time. The OEM bars are also more similar to the higher end options, but even more significantly less (from Suncoast).

If you don't have the rails, then "gutter mounts" are you're only option. Both Thule and Yakima are good companies with great reputations. I'd trust either of them and wouldn't bother looking at an "off" brand.

Something you need to keep in mind is weight. With the factory rails and cross bars you are rated to carry 220 lbs up to either 70 or 80 mph. With the "gutter mount" systems you are limited to 100 lbs and I could never get an approved speed from them.

For bikes and the like 100 lbs is fine, but when you start talking boxes you need to remember that the average box is in the 50 lbs range all by itself.

As mentioned, I have the factory rails and OEM bars. I then picked up a Yakima Skybox (16) for our trips to FL. All was good going up and down 95, but even the aerodynamic boxes still add significant drag. I noticed it the most with cross winds pushing me around more and the added lift (air under the box) made things kinda floaty in the 70+ range (no air/pasm).

 

Do you have factory roof rails on your GTS? The 958's don't have an ability to add roof rails. With out roof rails, the roof rack solutions limit you to 100 lbs. If you have factory, then you are able to carry up to the load weight of 250lbs IIRC.

I have a set of Thule Aeroblades with a Thule Boxter cargo box. I think Suncoast has a sale on OEM cross bars. I preferred the Thule's as I can (and have) swapped them between my cars.

 

Looks like gnat beat me to the punch!

 

I have a script that scans the forum for roof rack/rails questions and posts a canned answer

 

Thanks all for the input. Yes I have the factory roof rails.
Will begin with the crossbars and go from there.

 

I am a big fan of Thule and have been using for the past two years on a 2012 Touareg and now my CTT.
Works well with Pano moon roof, yet low profile enough to have minimal noise when cruising.

Aeroblades 53"
Crossroad 450R feet
Thule 611 Boxter
Apex Swing Away 9027 (4 bike carrier on the hitch)