Good morning Countrymen (and women)!

I installed the roof rack crossbars and roof box this weekend, and as mentioned in another thread, am quite happy with the low noise at highway speed.

After taking some pictures (below), I think I'd like to move the box further back. On the other hand, since it's quiet, maybe I shouldn't mess with it.

The problem though, is that (from above) the roof and the roof rack "rails" narrow slightly as you go front-to-back. So in the profile pic, I couldn't really get the rear crossbar any further towards the rear of the car.

So, to those of you with the rack:

1) How's this positioning compared to your setups? Should the box be further back?
2) Can you get your rear crossbar any further back on the rails?

Much thanks in advance!

Not specifically a CM reply, but...

I have the crossbars on my '04 MCS JCW and have a Thule box mounted to them. I am able to move the box forward and backward using the alternate mounting holes in the box itself. I can't move the bars because on my MCS, the crossbars attach to posts bolted to the roof itself.

Check the box for alternate mounting points.

CAUTION: the position of the box in your photos seems ideal from a weight distribution aspect, so perhaps you are working on an aesthetic adjustment. What ever you wind up doing, pack the heaviest stuff in the middle (between/on the crossbars) and the lighter stuff toward the ends.

Thanks Koopah - I messed around with the holes in the front of the box. The rear box attachment point is a sliding affair. The problem still is that the rear crossbar can't go any further back.

I've looked at some pics of other folk's cars with the rack and they all seem to be able to position the rear crossbar further back. If I place the rear crossbar a couple of inches rearward, it's too wide for the minimum space between the two rails. Not sure if I'm making any sense...

The directions for my MINI bars said to put them 8-inches from the front of the rail and 10-inches from the rear. The one with the tabs is the front one and they have an arrow indicating which way to face toward the front.

From your picture it looks like your real bar is too far forward.

You do have the MINI bars, right?

Bill

Yes, I have the MINI bars, but didn't realize there was a front vs. back one, or a directional arrow.

I received the box and bars pre-mounted from the dealer who had fitted them originally to another Countryman. It wasn't until I put it on mine that I noticed that the rear bar wouldn't fit (unless slid forward).

Where are the arrows? What tabs are you talking about?

I've tried looking online for directions or a PDF, but have not found any yet...

Thanks for pointing me in a new direction Miniblue!

Not sure if this might be the problem but the standard mini bars do slide in a little so you can get the rear bar placed further back- they are quite tight so you have to do some jiggling

I have a Yakima 16s and I was able to get mine further back so pretty much the front edge is at the front edge of roof now you have to remove the arial in this position

It is super quiet in this position at highway speeds

I have the bars on the yak racked as far apart in the slots as they can go but I noted I had to bring on side in a smidge to fit

Scanned the instructions...

R60 Roof Rack

Downloading as I type this - thanks so much. Man, NAM is great!!

Thanks spaner - I did notice that they slide in a little, but even at their "narrowest" the bar still seems too wide to get on the rail...

Miniblue - it's all clear now! My thanks to you and mjgood for your support and direction!! You guys rock!

Cheers!

Now just paint the box black and put stripes on it.

Is that an orange sign with a snake crossing on it?

You also have to figure out how far back the spoiler goes when you open the boot

The shadow in the 3rd pic looks like a hood scoop

Thanks all for the help and comments!

So, I managed to slide the whole business back a little (the leading edge of the box matches the leading edge of the roof, above the windshield).

I have the front crossbar with the fins/tabs in the front, and other in the back. I have both "sticker" arrows on the passenger side of the car. I've managed to increase the span between the two crossbars (compared to yesterday's post), but there's no way I can get the rear bar in the position the manual suggests, or as some of you have in your pictures. It's like the rear crossbar is just 1/2" to wide.

The box is tight on the rack and I now treat it all as a single unit. I place it on the rails slightly forward of where you see it (attached below), and then shimmy the whole thing rearward until the rear crossbar can't go any further back.



inimini2007 - I've actually been thinking of painting/striping the box! The sign is actually for a "bump" in the road.

Mojito - this positioning as shown still provides rear hatch/spoiler clearance. good reminder though...