Recommended roof racks and cargo carriers for the GMC Acadia?

Question

Hey everyone! We’re planning a big family road trip in our 2022 GMC Acadia this summer, and with three kids and a dog, the trunk space just isn't cutting it anymore. I’m looking for recommendations on the best roof rack and cargo carrier setup. Our Acadia has the factory side rails, but I’m torn between getting the GMC OEM crossbars or going with something like Thule or Yakima. I'm especially concerned about wind noise and making sure the carrier doesn't interfere with the liftgate opening fully. Has anyone found a specific cargo box model that fits the Acadia's roof dimensions perfectly without being too bulky? What setup are you all using?

Mint Mount · Accepted Answer

Seconding the recommendation above! tbh the trunk is basically a joke with a dog lol. anyway, i’ve looked at the technical specs:

- GMC Acadia Roof Rack Cross Rail Package: Great value, but the higher drag coefficient makes it kinda noisy.
- Thule WingBar Edge + Thule Motion XT L: The pro setup. Aero-designed to kill wind noise, and the XT L has the perfect clearance for the liftgate sensor.

highly recommend Thule if u can swing the cost. gl!

xdjzrysnyt · Answer

Quick question - what's your actual budget for this road trip? Ngl, those Thule setups get crazy expensive. I've been super satisfied with this safe, budget setup on my '22:

* Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack Aluminum Cross Rails 50 inch (~$160)
* JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier 18 Cubic Feet (~$250)

It clears the hatch perfectly and honestly feels rock solid at highway speeds. Lmk ur price range so I can help more!

ejwlvmtkts · Answer

sooo i totally feel u on this!! we have an acadia too and honestly, the trunk is basically useless once the kids and dog are in. i was *super* nervous about the setup cuz im still kinda new to this and wanted to make sure everything was safe. i actually ended up going with the gmc crossbars just to be safe, then grabbed a cargo box from a big brand.

heres what worked for my setup:
- i made sure to slide the box way forward so it wouldnt hit the liftgate
- i checked the bolts at every gas station just in case... it helped my anxiety
- honestly, the wind noise wasnt too bad as long as i stayed at a decent speed

its such a relief having the extra room inside. everything stayed dry even when it rained, so i was pretty happy with how it turned out!! gl with the trip 👍