2012 Quest Crossbars / Roof Rack

[branstetter412]

UPDATE: 9/5/2013 I am selling the crossbars and going with a hitch mounted system. Anyone interested in buyng them can contact me at [email protected] or see the ebay listing here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321199019768?ss ... 1555.l2649

I have a 2012 Nissan Quest and need some help.

The van came with the factory roof rails and I recently installed OEM cross bars (not cheap at $300) with the intention of buying a Yakima roof top luggage/cargo carrier. To my dismay, the maximum load allowed on the crossbars is 100 lbs. The Yakima roof box alone weighs almost 50 lbs leaving me only another 50 lbs for cargo (which is hardly anything).

Is it a bad idea to exceed the maximum load on the bars? Someone told me that Nissan says 100 lbs just to cover their butt. But, I must say the factory cross bars don't feel too solid.

If exceeding the maximum load is NOT recommended, do you have any other recommendations? I don't want to do a fabric or soft sided roof bag. I know that would be lighter but have read that they almost always leak. What about the carriers that hook into a trailer hitch?

I must say I am disappointed in Nissan for not designing the roof to hold at least 150 lbs. Considering that one of the biggest negatives of the Quest relative to other minivans is interior cargo space. You would have thought they would allow for a reasonable amount of weight on the roof.

Thanks for your help.

Ron Branstetter

[DiiGii]

I'm interested. Is that your best price?