[Custodian]

I have been thinking about roof cross bars this winter... to mount a light bar first... then maybe a rack or box later.

The VW crossbars are the cheapest "name brand"... but I kind of like the low profile of some of the Thule options (I have no sunroof.)

I thought that i would check Cnet for a review... I have had good luck with their reviews in the past.

I find this article... kind of interesting... fuel economy is one of the things that I love about the Taos.

What a drag: Roof racks wasted 100 million gallons of gas last year

You might want to take that sucker off between trips to the Catskills.

www.cnet.com

 

[yokomomma]

I bought the VW crossbars when the local dealer had 30% off accessories plus the VWoA 10% accessory rebate(still active). I only bought them because I don't want to look like every other Taos and Tiguan on the road and an MPG loss doesn't matter. The quality seems fine and sturdy but I don't have anything to actually haul with them.

 

[XenoX]

I have had the VW version of the crossbars mounted on my car for 9 months now. no loss in MPG what so ever... small increase in wind noise though.

 

[JSEVW]

I put the Thule Wingbar Evo on our TAOS SE. Lower profile then VW OEM, quiet and likely very little fuel hit on their own. We have a Thule Motion XT Box on top for the winter ski gear, and that make a bit of noise but not too bad.

 

[Custodian]

Thule is the brand that I like the most so far... the Wingbar Edge looks best to me (with silver cross bars)... maybe one of the alpine height boxes?

 

[JSEVW]

Edge looks nice, but I like having the bar ends a bit longer for securing items on roof with lines, etc. Easier to wrap around outside end of bar which the EVO allows... but both good set ups depending on use.

 

[Custodian]

Thank you so much for the insight.

 

[Newbie_VWTaos]

Thule, Rhino, etc…are out of my price point; any recommendations for those that are budget conscious but need ski rack capable. As ya know it’s just random scrolling and reviews all over the place, it’s like throwing a dart and hoping.

 

[Steve G]

A lot of it depends on what your needs are. Light duty vs carrying a bunch of heavier/bigger stuff long distances. We have a Yakima set up for ours. Heavy duty, but on the pricier side.

 

[Newbie_VWTaos]

Nice toys and with that load I’d also invest in the best; me, I’m just attaching ski and bike racks. I’ll go budget level and save $ for a lift, wheels and tires.