Best spot to mount roof rack on touring

I just bought a yakima rack and it will be going on my touring. Where is the best spot on the rails to mount it? I checked the owner's manual and did a search and I didn't find anything. Any touring owners have an idea?

Each rail has two little groves, one in front and one in the back. I usually attach my Thule right behind the front grove and in front of the rear one. Not sure if this is the correct spot but it works for me. I carried bikes and cargo boxes without any problem.

Hope it helps.

hmm why ugly up the car with a rack. get somone else to drive your stuff. keep the bimmer a bimmer haha

Originally Posted by a41ounce

hmm why ugly up the car with a rack. get somone else to drive your stuff. keep the bimmer a bimmer haha

Get a clue. There is a spot on BMWs from the factory to mount the rack. Its not a permanent thing, and why get another vehicle if the car will carry it fine. Heck, I've even seen a M Coupe with a roof rack - he was putting his track tires on it after a day of fun.

kind of defensive aren't you....

NO WAY MAN!! YOU CAN'T DIS MY BIKE RACK!!!!

relax.

I have the sunroof, so I like to position the rack far enough back to keep the opening from being covered up by bikes or whatever , and still allow the rear hatch to open.

I have found the wind noise from the rack is VERY loud when the sunroof is open.

Have the front cross bar about an inch behind the front mount on the rail. Have the rear cross bars mounted ahead of the mount before the rear attachment point.

I carry bikes, plywood, IKEA stuff, etc. No probs.

Also, get a fairing for your cross bars. No more noise.

-travis

Thanks everyone!

Here's a picture of my roof rack with bikes on my [old] E46 touring.

Don't listen to the great unwashed that haven't figured out what tourings are all about.

Anyway, I've got a Thule that I use for a variety of things and I move the rack to suite. One word of caution - anything that is on the long side will be in the way of the rear hatch spoiler when you open the back. I use a coffin sometimes and have marked a specific spot on my roof rails to accomodate the coffin since it is long.

What's the longest cargo box you would recommend? Is it OK if it hangs over the windshield? Yakima makes a 58" long box that would fit on the roof without haning over but it's only 15 cubic feet. Thanks!

Yup - mine hangs over the windshield - I can't remember the exact model Thule coffin but its about 7' to 7.5' long (I think its the thule Summit now that I've had my 1st cup of coffee and the brain is starting to function).

The box itself has limited adjustablility for mounting too the load bars so I have to reposition the load bars to fine tune the location. Once I got it in the right spot, I took a black permanent marker to mark the location of the load bars on the roof rails (flat black on flat black so its barely noticeable unless you're really looking for it).

One thing that comes in real handy on coffins is the ability to open from either side. That gives you a bunch of flexiblity especially if you ever think you'll run two coffins at once.

I have Thule Evolution 1600. I found this box to be perfect size for my needs. 16 cubic feet capacity 76" long and 33" wide. The box is relatively wide so you definitely won't be able to mount two at the same time but bike carrier and the box fit no problem. The box hangs a little bit over the windshield and I can open the tailgate without a problem.

I am not sure what is the longest recommended but Evolution 1200 and 1800 were 90"+ long and Thule website indicates that they fit.

Originally Posted by tomek

I have Thule Evolution 1600.

We bought a silver one to go with our Titanium Silver paint... looks really nice, IMO... Hangs only slightly past the windshield, and I have ending just before the stubby little antenna on the back (I also have a satellite radio antenna back there, so I didn't want to cover it up... Rear hatch opens and does'nt interfere with the box... easy access from either side, full size stoller fits up there, plenty of room in the back of the car for luggage...