How Can I Carry Extra Gear On My 2022 Toyota Prius Primes Roof Rack

Question:

I have a Prius with Thule Wingbars. I want to make a small wooden platform, 18-20 inches wide, to sit next to my canoefor the once a year that I need to take my paddles and lifejackets on the roof bc the car is just too full. Even the skinniestinch basket/cargo box is too wide. Which is a bummer. But there you go. I figure I can use something like this to put the gear in.... My question this thisI know I can slide accessories into the slot on the Wingbarand thats how they mount.. Is that it though? Just the bolt inside the slot? Nothing else is used to mount/clamp around the Wingbar? Sothis would go in the slot on the top of the bar? And then Id just put a locking nut on the other side of the platform and thatd be sturdy enough? I could order longer boltsbut they all seem to have carriage boltinch looking heads? Is that a disadvantage? And yes, Ill use metal plates to make sure nothing rips through!

asked by: Elizabeth P

Expert Reply:

Yes, the mounting bolts in the t-channel of your Thule Wingbars will be enough to secure accessories to your roof rack. Typically there would be more than one mounting point per crossbar for most items, with the exception of roof bike racks. If this is something that you plan on doing, I would definitely take that into consideration. In theory, mounting the Curt Cargo Bag for Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier - Waterproof - 12.25 Cu Ft, part # C18210, to your t-channels will work, provided that you are mounting the cargo bag to the wooden platform you want to build. The metal plates in the bag will definitely be a help as will the Replacement M6 x 20 T-Bolt for Thule Trail XT Cargo Baskets - Qty 1, part # TH36JV as mounting bolts.

Another option would be going with the next larger sized crossbars, if you have the recommended size on your Prius Prime. For example, if you have 53" Thule WingBar Evo Crossbars, part # TH711400, you could have gone with the 60", part # TH711500, instead. With the extra length on your crossbars you would probably be able to mount some type of cargo box or basket to your vehicle, instead of having to make something that will fit your roof.

I have included product description links and a demo video link below.

expert reply by: Mark Smith