Roof rack recommendations?

[jgold723]

Inspired by this site and my own natural mustacian tendencies, I sold my pickup truck and bought a 10-year old Toyota Matrix.  Now I need a basic set of roof racks to carry the ladder and lumber that fit so easily in to the truck.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for a decent off brand gutterless rack for a car with a bare roof (no factory rails). It would also be nice if they were easy to put on and remove, so I didn't have to drive around with them on there all the time.

Yes, I know about Thule and Yakima, but they are insanely expensive. They may be my only choice, but if there's someone here who's had good luck with something more reasonable and less trendy, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!

John

[rhut]

Check craigslist, there's always a ton of quality roof racks on there. Saris used to make really good ones. When I was looking for bike racks, I found a full roof rack for $120 that already had the pieces to carry two bikes. I priced out new ones and regardless of brand it was going to be $500+.

[patrat]

Saris works great on our same vintage corolla. The attachments are a bugger to find, and you may have some trouble finding the right roof clips for your matrix. The super easy on-off of the saris is something I love. The racks only go on the car when being used, otherwise they come off to help the MPG. Yakima now sells something with hardpoints mounted on your roof for quick on off, but as you say, expensive. Go check craigslist and ebay for Saris racks. They came in three rail lengths as I recall. We have the longest for the corolla I believe, but I think the shortest would have fit too (had the shortest for my old geo storm and porsche 944). Beware with saris racks not to overdue the tightening, they are essentially a bar clamp. I rippled the roof sheet metal on my geo by over tightening. The corolla has been fine.

Read up on your lashing knots, without them lumber is sketchy to carry on a roof rack without a basket.

If you have the space consider a small light utility trailer instead. My corolla is rated 150lb tongue, 1500 tow, or maybe its 200/2000 I don' recall for sure. The hitch for the corolla was a simple 4 bolt affair to frame hardpoints, and running a premade wire harness to the taillight through an existing rubber grommet in the spare tire or rear fenderwell area. Matrix should be same. The hitch ball can be stored in an old sock next to the spare tire, to avoid having a knee/shin stinger.

For a ladder, I have been looking at this one. Gp logistics folding 7 foot double sided ladder. part number SLDD7. I have not bought it, but the RV crowd seems to love it and I appreciate the tiny package it folds into. Also read reviews of city handymen carrying them on public transit.