What position on the roof rack do you keep the support bars?

[K03sport]

Curious...Where on the roof rack to you keep the support (cross) bars?

Have you left them in the "stock" position or have you moved them?

I've moved mine to the back 1/3 of the rack, similar to the VW Touareg. Since I rarely use them, they will probably stay in the back for the life of the vehicle. I figured moving them away from the sunroof should cut down on wind noise.

If you need a picture, I'm sure I could produce one.

[Buzzman]

I carry a ladder quite often, so I have mine moved to either extreme, front and back.
Don't really care about the look. It's a functional accessory for me.

[Densetsu]

I have mine in the position needed by my cargo bag, roughly centred in the roof rack tracks. It's about three-quarters the maximum width, so this position is also functional when I have to tie other things to the roof rack, like lumber or skis.

There are people who say to put the roof racks in position x to maximize fuel efficiency, or position y to minimize noise, etc. I just put them in one spot where they serve their purpose. My parents have both racks at the very back on their SUV -- it looks ridiculous, but my dad swears it gives him better fuel economy.

[01silvapathy]

Stock posistion cause I use them from time to time for a canoe or kyak ladder and pretty soon the family Christmas tree. It should be interesting trying to get anything up on the roof now, since its 6ft 4in to the top of the roof and another 3in to the top of the roof cross bars

[Chuck Tribolet]

On hooks in the garage. They will get put back on when I trade in the truck (which will happen when I win the lotto or Nissan again
puts a stick shift in it. I'm no sure which is more likely) or sold/given away when the truck dies first. Best fuel economy, no noise.

On the rare occasions when I need to haul something on the roof (that's like three times since '01), I put on the Yakimas (any
road, any load) that hang next to the Nissans in the garage. Time #4 is coming, hopefully this year: a couple of 4x8 sheets of
pegboard for the garage in the weekend place.

Why the Yakimas and not the Nissan: The dang Nissans are curved. Yakimas are straight.

BTW, the Yakimas are REALLY noisy at freeway speed.


Chuck

[K03sport]

On hooks in the garage. They will get put back on when I trade in the truck (which will happen when I win the lotto or Nissan again puts a stick shift in it. I'm no sure which is more likely) or sold/given away when the truck dies first. Best fuel economy, no noise. Chuck

Interesting. I've notice the oval shape of the Nissan bars which does aid in air flow, but I could see where that could also cause problems with putting stuff up there. However, I'm sure that oval shape works great with Nissan's accessories.

Since I don't haul anything, I've often thought about removing the cross bars. Not sure what the LEs are like, as ours is an SE, but I would think the wind deflector should direct a majority of the wind over the bars ,especially if the bars are more in the middle of the of the rack.

I'm sure other SUVs with racks may have "rest" positions for the cross bars such as the Touareg, but Nissan doesn't seem to be too worried about it with the (R50) PF. I'm curious as to how much drag those bars are with their oval shape? It can't be too much.

[Towncivilian]

I took them off a couple days ago since the paint is flaking off the crossbars. I'm gonna paint them so they won't rust. Even though I never use them, I keep them in the stock position. The Pathfinder seems bald without it.

[01silvapathy]

Word, had to take mine off so I could slide up the little tie downs for the roof lights to screw into....and it snowed the next day. Of course it did and I regret not having them on for the pics....looks nekkid