2015 MDX roof rail use without the crossbar?
 

We bought a used 2015 MDX in good shape and installed the roof rails. I wasn't thinking clearly at the time, and failed to appreciate fully that it's a solid piece. So without the cross bars any kind of tie down would be nigh impossible. Or any ideas? I see there are screws and so I could possible bolt something there. For example - how to tie down an xmas tree. Or am I just going to have to suck it up and buy and install the crossbars?

Thanks. I saw that I can remove the plastic cover screws and wondered if I could find a wide eye plate / staple ring that's screw mounted, and find matching machine screws, so that I had in effect a few tie down locations (either 4 or 8). Clearly the crossbar sounds like the easier / preferred option. It seems really limiting though, and unlike most every roof rail in the market.

Hi. Did you find anything that works?