Recommended Roof Rack Solution for 2000 GMC Safari with Naked Roof

Question:

My daughter has a 2000 GMC Safari cargo van with no attachments to install a rack and crossbars. What do you recommend. It would be used for a variety of things such as camping gear, kayaks, etc. So I assume I first have to install side rails. The ceiling is bare with no insulation or finish in the way except for directly in the front seating area.

asked by: Blake N

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you to to add a roof rack system to a 2000 GMC Safari, but there is not a way to add raised side rails to the roof. Instead you can use a track mounted system like the Rhino-Rack Aero Bar Roof Rack for Camper Shells - Track Mount - Black - Standard - 59" Long # Y02-490B, which is normally used on truck bed toppers made from fiberglass or aluminum, but will also work for this application. This will install tracks on the roof that can then be used to add a roof rack kit that would allow for carrying a variety of different things, like kayaks or camping gear. Drilling into the roof will be required to install this system and will be easier with the bare ceiling you mentioned, but it would be the only available solution for a naked roof on this vehicle.

To carry kayaks, you'll want to use something like the etrailer J-Style Kayak Carrier - Folding - Universal Mount # e98878, which will mount to the Rhino Rack crossbars included in the above mentioned kit and allows you to carry kayaks without damaging them; you would need 1 for each kayak. If you're looking for something to load gear into I recommend using the Yakima SkinnyWarrior Roof Rack Cargo Basket - Steel - 58" Long x 23" Wide - 165 lbs # Y07014 which would fit along side the etrailer J-Style Kayak Carrier and be a great compliment to keep all of her gear up on the roof.

I've linked some review videos of these accessories for you to have a look at.

expert reply by: Erik B