When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi everyone, I currently have an Advance model that I am looking to put a roof cargo carrier on. I was thinking of purchasing the OEM rails and crossbars, but I was wondering if anyone has installed a roof cargo carrier on theirs yet? Pretty new to this, so not sure what size cargo carrier (was looking at Thule models) would fit and would work with the Acura rail/crossbar system. Thanks!
Do you mean a roof-top box/ ski box? The biggest limitation for a long ski box is hatch clearance. There are two possible mounting sites for the front OEM crossbar, and if you put it in the more forward position, a medium length ski box will fit without interfering with the hatch.
I have a Thule 611 Boxter ( superseded by Thule 612 Hyper XL ). The advantage of a low, long ski-style box is aerodynamics, hence fuel efficiency and relatively low noise. And they can haul a decent amount of stuff in duffles and such.
But if you don't need to schlep skis and it's just for occasional "overflow" the big square boxes are cheaper and may be somewhat easier to load. But they may be noisy and highway fuel economy may take a big hit.
Yes, I'm looking for a roof-top box for extra overflow. So as long as I purchase one that fits the hatch clearance, they should be able to universally be mounted on the OEM crossbars then? I probably won't be schlepping skis, but I think I will get one of the aerodynamic ones for fuel efficiency/noise level advantages you mentioned! Thanks!
The crossbars aren't especially wide in cross-section, by current standards, nor is the distance between crossbars unusual. The only real fit issue is hatch clearance.
Thule makes the crossbars for Acura, but they aren't one of their common profiles for aftermarket. They are narrower in cross section than current Thule aerobars. The mounting clamps for current ski/cargo boxes will have no trouble with the Acura OEM crossbars.
REI has a decent assortment of roof-top ski boxes, and I have done a few REI store parking lot test fittings. If they don't have one in stock, you can order it to pick up in store. If it doesn't fit, it's easy to return.
Otherwise, Rack Attack and other on-line dealers sell ski boxes.
This basket was on top of previous Murano. It’s mounted on Acura roof rails and cross bars.
With basket on, there is wind noise on hwy. I don’t ride with it on. This was just proof of concept for bug out scenario
BTW the crossbars only have 2 mounting options. The front bar has 2 slots where as the rear has 1 slot.
Open glass barely clears roof rails. The cross bars defintiely
Here you can see the 2 circles on far rail. That is the forward “slot” option. I moved front cross bar to aft option which is suppose to be the quiet position. I rarely use the hwy so neither is noisy around town.
FWIW the OEM crossbars are relatively easy to take off and reinstall if you don't like the wind noise at highway speeds. Mine will only get mounted when I need them. YMMV
Hi everyone, I currently have an Advance model that I am looking to put a roof cargo carrier on. I was thinking of purchasing the OEM rails and crossbars, but I was wondering if anyone has installed a roof cargo carrier on theirs yet? Pretty new to this, so not sure what size cargo carrier (was looking at Thule models) would fit and would work with the Acura rail/crossbar system. Thanks!
The industry is fairly standard. But this wil probably help:
the bars span 28” from front of front cross bar to rear of rear cross bar with the front bar mounted in its aft slot.
They span 34” when front bar mounted in typical front slot.
So your box should be longer than either on those lengths.
As I posted above, the front cross bar has 2 options where the rear can only go in one spot. They don’t slide front/back.
You arr stuck buying OEM roof rails. The crossbars mount to roof rail by placing mount into 2 holes that are spaced 1 7/8” on center.
You may be able to find 3rd party mount that uses similar setup but I’d bet OEM crossbars are easiest to find. And you know they work 100%
the crossbars have an arc to they so the center is about 1-1.5” higher than edges but most roof boxes account for that.
02-14-2019, 09:39 AM
