Roof racks with a moon roof

**Peter** · 01-10-2009, 07:06 PM

Test drove a Venza yesterday and it was awesome. It handled 8 inches of snow in an unploughed parking lot very impressively. My Camry would have gotten stuck. I read on another site that roof racks cannot be put on a Venza that has a moon roof. I hate to give up the moon roof, but roof racks are essential for skiing and canoeing, our major recreational pursuits. Giving up the moon roof also means giving up the back up camera, which appears to be necessary in a Venza as it doesn't have great rear visibility. Does anyone have any suggestions?

**dlm1942** · 01-12-2009, 11:56 AM

Not to throw salt in the wounds, but there has been much discussion about this. See http://www.venza.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17

Consider hitch receiver accessories. Besides, you can carry 300-400 lbs. of stuff instead of the 150-170 lbs. that most roof racks allow.

I wanted a roof rack too. I ended up with the sun
roof, and bought and installed a receiver hitch. it's worked out.

Good Luck.

**Peter** · 01-12-2009, 12:53 PM

Thule and Yakima do not yet have custom roof racks for the Venza yet, but I would be surprised if it takes them long. I will get the hitch, but a canoe really needs racks. Hopefully I do not have to wait too long.

Thanks for the reference to the other thread.

**Xover** · 01-13-2009, 12:23 AM

my car was shipped from the factory today. I'm going for a trailer to haul kayaks, maybe a pop up tent trailer. I'll try to order the mud flaps localy on Wednesday if no go I might be contacting you in Texas for an order. Had a call today from a dealer that wanted me to drop my order and order from them. Offered me $1500 below MSRP, I said no thanks it wasn't worth the bad business realationship.

**Brian** · 02-14-2009, 10:27 PM

Yakima lists a fit for the Venza. Weight is limited to 125 lbs., and there is a note to not open the moon roof while the rack is on.

**Xover** · 02-14-2009, 10:41 PM

When did they list the fit? I am on a notify list when they come up with some specs for the Venza and I wasn't notified yet. Interesting about the weight. There's not much you can do for under 125lbs. maybe a couple of bikes on a couple pairs of skis. not sure on Kayaks....went to the site, the car was listed didn't notice the weight resrictions, thanks for the update. I'll look a little closer for the weight issues later.

**dlm1942** · 02-15-2009, 12:26 PM

Availability of a roof rack will undoubtedly help those with very bulky loads. My wife has a kayak and a windsurfer. The weight limitation is about normal for roof racks. Keeping the sunroof closed is not really an issue since I mostly open or close the inside shades anyway.
Although I will use the hitch receiver because of height/weight issues, hurray for Yakima! More alternatives are good.

**dlm1942** · 02-15-2009, 01:35 PM

I just checked out the Yakima web site. Early on, when I was still wondering about roof mounts, I wondered if they could mount the rack towers like they did when cars still had window gutters (most vehicles don’t have them anymore). Apparently there is a way despite the new world of aerodynamics. WOW!
Having looked everything over, maybe I need some of that stuff too. The weight limitation is specified (twice) under ‘fit notes’ that show on step 4 of the configurator.
Remember that crossbars are MPG unfriendly--an advantage of removeability

**Xover** · 02-16-2009, 02:11 AM

We are all interested in a little better MPG these days. So I've decided to only use the roof rack when I need to carry a canoe or kayak on top. Everything else I'll use the hitch. Bikes, skiis, this should help with the over all gas mileage. Because otherwise I'd end up leaving a rack on the car all year around. Easier access to the equipment too.

**dlm1942** · 02-16-2009, 08:16 AM

Yakima has clearly done their homework. The Toyota rack has some nice features and options, but… the Yakima enables more versatility at a similar or less expensive price (I already have ‘created’ mine for future reference). They have information about various installation alternatives and limitations—possible interference from sunroof mechanisms and raising the rear hatch issues if your accessories extend over the rear end.
It seems we have the best of both worlds—viable alternatives for carrying overhead cargo as well as towing cargo.
Xover, one of the Yakima recommendations is that their rack be removed when not in use. I agree with you that the hitch mount is easier to lift and load, but we’ve already had this conversation. After viewing their videos, the rack is fairly easy to setup (and keep) and mount it on the car.