Aftermarket vs Factory/OEM Crossbar Systems
If you have a late model vehicle and have shopped for crossbars lately, you’ve probably found that there are a plethora of options out there. The top choices tend to be aftermarket crossbars from brands like Thule and Yakima, and factory or OEM crossbars available as an option from the vehicle manufacturer and dealer. There are some pros and cons to each, as well as some curveballs that we’ll explore.
First, a disclaimer. When talking about aftermarket crossbars, I am specifically referring to high quality options from established brands such as Thule, Yakima, Rhino-Rack, Inno, etc. Cheap options from marketplaces like Amazon are not part of this discussion. These are typically OEM styled, but have little to no post-purchase support and dubious at best weight ratings. This may seem biased, and for some users they are a perfectly acceptable option, but we witness enough issues with these that they cannot be considered a viable option for serious use.
With that out of the way, let’s look at the pros of crossbars available from the dealer or from the vehicle manufacturer. Typically, these crossbars are sized for and have towers or attachment methods that are specific to your vehicle. This makes installation simple and provides a clean, seamless fit. Some factory crossbars have even evolved to include additional features like a T-slot across the top, and many are manufactured by big names like Thule and Yakima, even if they don’t look like other offerings from those brands. For those bars without a T-slot, the shape of the bar can determine which accessory carriers are compatible, since that will tend to mean you need to look for accessories with universal mounting hardware. Pricing can vary quite widely for factory crossbars, but they will generally cost less than aftermarket options.
Compared to factory crossbars, aftermarket crossbars have a handful of advantages. For one, there are many more crossbar options. Even within a single brand, there may be a basic option like a round or square crossbar, and a premium aerodynamic crossbar. Sometimes the car is the limiting factor, but most systems from Thule and Yakima will have a weight capacity in the 165-220 pound range. Through bar style systems, where the crossbar extends out past the tower, increase the real estate available for carrying multiple items, like a bike rack next to a cargo box. This style is also required for especially heavy items like rooftop tents (although individual vehicle fit information is still necessary to confirm before using a rooftop tent). On some roof types (such as raised siderails, tracks, and some flush siderails), crossbar spread can be adjusted to make the crossbars closer or further apart, useful for carrying long items like ladders or canoes.
Perhaps the biggest advantages of aftermarket systems is the modularity and availability of replacement parts. Most Thule and Yakima systems are comprised of crossbars, towers, and fit components, all purchased separately. This allows parts of the system to be swapped out to fit different vehicles. It also tends to be much easier to track down spare parts from these brands compared to factory options. Keys, replacement pads, rubber strips, etc., all tend to be readily available from Thule and Yakima. Getting spare parts for a factory rack can be a challenge; even if the part numbers exist, finding a dealer with access to them can be difficult. Some even use proprietary keys and tools that are not available anywhere, and may leave you stuck if you lose them.
If you’re interested in the aesthetic of the flush bar style of factory crossbars but want the support and modularity of aftermarket systems, Thule has the Edge series and Yakima has the FX line. With these systems, the crossbar does not extend through the tower, providing a more seamless appearance. You lose some space for adding multiple accessory carriers, but you still tend to have high weight capacities and they share fit kits with their through bar style counterparts.
For many people, factory or OEM crossbars do everything they need them to do. Your car came with crossbars and you only need to carry a cargo box on the roof? Great! However, if you need more carrying capacity or have nothing on your roof already, aftermarket crossbar systems from established brands like Yakima and Thule can be the way to go.