I'm curious how many of you leave your roof racks on. I've got one that I plan on installing on my '11 MCS. I'd rather not dink with taking it on and off, so if I do install it, I'd be likely to just leave it on all the time.

Any feedback from those who do this? Or from those who don't and reasons why? Thanks!

 

i have kept mine on since i installed it. it makes little noise when driving so i dont even notice. i even keep my bike rack on it as well just because im too lazy to take it off and i never know when i'm throwing my bike up there. i also keep my roof box on cuz i like the way it looks haha

 

I've never taken the rack off any car I've ever owned and they've all had racks. It's just easier to leave them on especially if you're going to use them with any regularity. There's no real reason to take it off as long as they aren't crazy noisy. Some people will talk of fuel economy being lost due to a rack but I've still never seen real world proof in my own experience.

 

I always leave mine on. I get a slight whistle while going above 60-65mph but as soon as I turn on the music I can hardly hear it.. I reguarlly drive 8ish hours without it bothering me or really noticing it.

 

I take it off and leave it off during the winter.

 

I had mine on for a little over three years. The only downsides I experienced were that they eventually misshaped the drip rails, and if there is water left on your roof after a rainstorm and you drive away with your windows down the roof mount directs water into the window and soaks you.

Neither of those things are a big deal. The drip rails cost like $100 to replace and if your smarter then me you probably remember to keep the windows up when there is water on the roof.

 

I haven't even installed my OEM roof rack rails yet... so ya ummm... never leave it on?

 

It is so easy to put them on and take them off. I would only think you would leave on if a) your lazy and don't want to mess with them or b) you want them for style reasons.

 

c) No place to store the rack.

 

My MINI with a roof box. Rain gutters do bow out a little bit near the the rack, but I think that was from installing the rack. I intend on putting it on for the winter, off in the spring, summer, fall.

 

Under your bed is a good place.

 

I've been using my roof rack 2 or 3 times per week to transport bikes. Even if it only took 20 minutes to install or remove, that world be 2 hours per week just screwing with the roof rack. I'd have to put very little value on my time to spend 2 hours per week on that. I'd rather be actually biking, working on car projects, etc.

 

No. My bed is on the floor.

 

I haven't decided if I'm going to leave my roof rack on the 2012...or if I'll even put it on before I need it. I wish I had it on my 2009 last week when we got the XMAS tree...we shoved a 7 foot tree into the cabin. That was a fun ride home.

 

Then your closet. There are many places you can store them. Be like me just store crap where in your house. It is kinda of funny when someone walks in an all they see is piles of car parts all over the house.

 

That looks great!

Did you take pictures!?!

 

omg no. I'm so upset we didn't take pictures. It was dark by the time we got home and I completely forgot. We got a lot of pointing/laughing though. My car smelled like pine for days.

 

-1.

 

For my first three MINI's (I'm kind of addicted) I used the same Thule rack which I would leave on most of them, but occasionally take off, like for a trip where I wasn't carrying bikes.
I now have the OEM rails with Rockymounts bike trays and I leave it on all the time. Some people will tell you the OEM rails are very easy to take on and off. Others (like me) will tell you it was somewhat of a PITA the first time, once on, all's well. Since I haul my bikes around very regularly, it just wouldn't be worth the time to take it on and off. I also think it adds a certain "purposeful" look to the car.

 

Agreed... If you're using the rack often, it doesnt make sense to take it on and off over and over again, whether it's easy to do or not.

 

I bought my OE rack used and I notice that the metal clamps are worn (plastic coating) so I wonder if that was from leaving the rack on constantly or from frequent removal?

Anyways I am not installing it until I get some plasti-dip and re-coat them - don't want bare metal touching my car.

 

Next time do it the easy way.

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tree-Ai.../dp/B000B5QFIU

 

lmao. Advice noted!

 

I leave the base on as i use the bike racks during the summer and snowboard racks during the winter.

 

I have a justa Clubby and I ordered the OEM rack, had it installed by the dealer and just took it off. It has been on my car for two years and I did notice a small scratch on roof paint when I removed them, which means that happened at the dealer. GRRRR.

Anyway, they were starting to look really faded and needed some WD40 on the screws and such. Some were starting to oxidize a little. They were easier to take off than I originally thought (why I avoided removing them) although getting the clips out of the roof took some pulling. My plastic coating was worn and torn as well.

The thoughts on keeping them on are, less chance car will get scratched from removing and putting on, unless you are very careful. I wrapped the loose end I was not working on in a towel. It is a PITA to remove snow from the roof in in winter and to wash and wax around when they are left on all the time.

Considering getting an CooperS Hardtop and almost hate to put a rack on it, but do have bikes I will drag around a lot in warmer weather. Seems the only option.

I use the roof rack with the OEM bike racks, which are super easy to put on and take off. I love them.