Which roof rack works best for a Chevy Equinox?

Question

I recently picked up a 2021 Chevy Equinox and I am planning a few camping trips this summer. I really need to add some extra storage space for a cargo box and possibly a pair of kayaks. My Equinox has the flush side rails, so I am a bit confused about which crossbars offer the most secure fit without creating too much wind noise on the highway. I have looked at both the Thule WingBar and the official Chevy OEM options, but the price gap is pretty significant. I am looking for something sturdy that is also easy to install myself. Does anyone have a specific brand or model they recommend that fits the Equinox roof perfectly?

knffjpqtlt · Accepted Answer

Check Etrailer for technical specs... in my experience:Thule WingBar Evo: quieter/saferChevy Equinox OEM Roof Rack Cross Rails: cheaperHonestly, Thule is way more secure for heavy kayaks, definately!!

lsodvdfiol · Answer

^ This. Also, totally agree on Thule being the gold standard for heavy stuff, but I went a different route last year. Being super paranoid about my kayaks flying off the highway, a deep dive into the clamping tech for flush rails felt necessary. Ended up picking up the Yakima JetStream Crossbars Black 50 inch along with the Yakima SightLine Towers. Saw this earlier and figured I would chime in because the OEM vs aftermarket dilemma is real. A few things stood out to me:

The teardrop shape actually cuts the whistling noise way better than the blocky Chevy ones.

Included torque tool clicks when its tight enough, so you dont have to guess if its secure.

Higher weight capacity than the factory rails for those bigger boxes. Install took me maybe 45 minutes because I was being extra careful with the measurements. Everything felt way more solid than the factory rails which seemed a bit flexy when tested... definitely worth the extra cash if youre hauling expensive gear or plan on keeping the car for a while.