'02 Jetta Wagon roof racks

They're cheap considering they insure your bikes or skis or boards or canoe don't go bouncing down the freeway behind you after scratching up your entire roof. (rollseyes)

Craig Faison wrote: : OK, call me a cheapskate, but $190 for crossbars (from VW) for the factory : side rails seems high. A quick look shows Yakima and Thule to be only : marginally cheaper.

: Any other alternatives?

Personally, I have a Thule system, but I did notice

was a bit cheaper at Sportmart... can't say if the quality is the same as I haven't used them.

I bought a Graber hitchpost once as a bike rack and after a year or so, I bought a Thule to replace it... it just bounced around too much back there for me....

Jim B.

Maybe, but I don't need to carry any of those things, and I'm looking at very occasional (if not single) use. After taking a look at the racks last night, I'm quite certain that I can make something just as secure/stable for considerably less money. It's not rocket science.

That said, if I was carrying an expensive item (bike, etc.) on a regular basis I would give the racks & attachements more thought.

Yeah, I know you're better than me 'cause you don't mind spending $200 on roof racks, but that's just something I'll have to live with.

Craig

This is what my dad found out when he thought he'd build something to hang bikes off of the trailer hitch - it ends up that it takes so much time to design, build, and finish that you're better off working the overtime to pay for something that's on the market (and that's passed it CSA or UL certification!)

That being said we do have a custom trailer hitch (so our trailer drives

100% level, and not hang>

After taking a look at the racks last

Yeah? Good luck with that.

Nope not better....just smarter.

I'm not looking to haul anything from a hitch.

I don't get paid overtime and I enjoy small projects. Obviously, I'm not the only one who enjoys them, seeing as how you have some custom stuff.

Shocking as it may seem to some, there are people in the world who enjoy doing things for themselves instead of running to yuppieworld to make the purchase. (not suggesting this is or isn't you, I obviously don't know you)

There will need to be people in the rear seats. If not for the need to seat four, I'd just use my truck.

Craig

Yeah. Is that so hard to believe? Have you never made anything yourself? I'm sure that mine won't look as pretty, but it will be solid and secure. It really isn't a difficult project.

A couple of steel crossbars bolted to the factory side rails via u-bols would be every bit (probably more) sturdy than the racks available on the market. It'd be ugly, but so what. I'll use it once or twice, and I don't feel the need to impress anyone.

If you say so.

Craig

Craig Faison wrote: : OK, call me a cheapskate, but $190 for crossbars (from VW) for the factory : side rails seems high. A quick look shows Yakima and Thule to be only : marginally cheaper.

A alternative is a 2x4 and a few pipe clamps...

Now you're talking... ;-)

Where'd I put that duct tape?

Craig

How about a couple of 2x4s and those u-shaped screws ? If you only want to haul a mattress that should do it !

Yeah, the '02 GLS (maybe all levels?) wagon came with the side rails... I thought I had said that, but if I didn't, it sure explains some of the confusion. ;-)

Craig