leaving for a Big Sur camping trip in 10 days and still havent bought a rack. i looked at the Thule WingBar but it's like $700 and im worried about the panoramic glass roof clearance since the EV is different. is there a cheaper option under $450 that wont totally tank my range?
@Reply #3 - good point! Torque is no joke on those glass edges. Over the years ive realized you dont need the Thule brand name to get good aero performance. I'd grab the Malone AirFlow2 50 Inch Aluminum Cross Bars instead.
Saw this late but figured id chime in. Dealing with the Equinox EV range is tricky when you add wind resistance. I went through a whole ordeal trying to find something that didnt whistle like a tea kettle at 70mph while keeping that glass safe. Heres a couple options that might work for ya:
Pros: These are specifically made for the new Equinox profile and they sit high enough to clear the glass easily. Way under your $450 budget.
Cons: Theyre a bit more basic. Youll probably see a bigger hit to your miles per kWh compared to the super aero ones.
Pros: If you can find these used or on sale and pair them with YAKIMA SightLine Towers, the teardrop shape is much better for efficiency. Super quiet too.
Cons: Might be pushing the budget limit if you buy everything brand new. Just be careful with the bolt clearance. Some generic kits have long hardware that can get dangerously close to the panoramic roof when the bars flex under a heavy load... definitely worth a double check. Have a blast at Big Sur!
Honestly you have to be so careful with that panoramic glass! Its amazing but super fragile if you get the wrong mounting kit. I almost cracked mine last year cuz the clearance was way too low... total nightmare. Also stay away from those cheap round bars! They vibrate like crazy and will absolutely tank your battery range. Definitely watch that glass clearance tho!
Just saw this and honestly, you gotta be really careful about going too cheap just to save a few bucks. I was in the same boat last month and finally settled on a setup that works well without breaking the bank or the glass. My biggest worry was the torque on those mounting points... if you overtighten even a tiny bit, that panoramic roof is toast. Im really satisfied with my mid-range aero bars because they sit high enough to clear the glass when it tilts. No complaints at all with the stability. Basically, avoid anything that doesnt specifically mention the EV trim because the rail strength is different than the gas model. Also, please use a real torque wrench for the install. Winging it is how people end up with shattered sunroofs halfway to Big Sur. If the rack looks bulky, itll definitely tank your range.