Top-rated roof racks for a Kia Telluride camping trip?

Question

Hey everyone! My family and I are finally planning a massive cross-country camping trip in our Kia Telluride this summer, and I’m quickly realizing that even with all that interior space, we’re going to be tight on room once we pack the tent, sleeping bags, coolers, and the rest of our gear. I really want to move some of the bulkier items to the roof to keep the cabin comfortable for the kids.

I’ve been doing some research, but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the options. Since the Telluride has those flush factory side rails, I’m trying to decide between going with the official Kia crossbars or investing in something more heavy-duty from brands like Thule or Yakima. My main concern is wind noise—I’ve heard some racks can get pretty whistly at highway speeds, which would drive me crazy on a 10-hour drive.

I’m also curious about weight limits. We’re planning on mounting a hardshell cargo box, but I might want to swap that out for a couple of kayaks or a bike rack later on. I’ve noticed some low-profile designs that look great, but I worry they might not offer enough clearance for certain attachments. My budget is around $500 to $700 for the crossbar setup, as I want something that feels secure and won't scratch the finish on the rails.

Has anyone here outfitted their Telluride for serious camping lately? I’d love to hear which specific models you’ve found to be the most durable and aerodynamic. Also, did you install them yourselves, or is it worth having the dealership handle it to ensure everything is aligned perfectly?

What are your top-rated roof rack recommendations for a Telluride that can handle a full load of camping gear without too much noise?

rmiqnedodu · Accepted Answer

Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, Thule WingBar Evo is the way to go for noise. But just a heads up on the weight—the Telluride's roof limit is 165 lbs iirc. Always check the load rating on your feet, like the Thule Raised Rail Evo, cuz you gotta account for the box weight too. I'm super happy with my setup and installed it myself in 20 mins, just be careful not to overtighten! 👍

pethdjoeyo · Answer

Honestly, I feel u on the wind noise thing... that whistling would drive me insane on a long trip!! I've been doing a ton of market research lately cuz I'm also kinda new to this and didnt want to waste my money. Basically, everyone says the factory bars are okay for light stuff, but for a massive camping trip? Nah.

I would suggest looking at the higher-end brands like Thule or Yakima even if they're a bit pricier. Like, I mean, the build quality is just night and day. I'm still learning but I've read that the profile of the bar is what matters most for the noise. Be careful with those low-profile ones tho! I was worried they might not leave enough room for the clamps on a heavy-duty cargo box.

Maybe consider getting them from a local shop instead of the dealer? I think it's way cheaper and honestly, you can totally do the install yourself... it's like a fun Saturday project! Just make sure to double check the torque settings so nothing shifts. Better safe than sorry, right? gl with the trip!!

mvsteyoiku · Answer

Ok so if ur looking for the best bang for your buck without the whistling, definitely check out the Yakima JetStream Crossbars. Seriously, they're amazing and way more aerodynamic than the factory ones! I paired mine with the Yakima Skyline Towers and it's rock solid. It's awesome cuz the bars have a T-slot that makes swapping from a cargo box to bike racks super easy. Highkey recommend doing the install yourself—it takes maybe 30 mins and saves u a ton of cash vs the dealership. gl with the trip!!