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2013 RAV4 Roof Rails Question

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DVS

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have noticed that in pretty much all of the photos of the 2013 RAV4 I've seen where the model has the roof rails, I don't see any cross bars in them. Just 2 parallel rails that run the length of the vehicle on the outside edges.

This is probably the best photo I've seen that illustrates this (thanks, jceagle):

http://www.rav4world.com/forums/123-4-4-general/99441-4-cylinder-garage-miss-my-limited-v6.html

Is it just the case that, for example, they come stowed by the tonneau cover under the rear floor, and people simply haven't unpacked them yet?

Just wondering how it works.

Thanks!
 
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#2 ·
The cross bars are sold separately, MSRP $229. From the Toyota site:

Roof Rack Cross Bars

This set of two roof rack cargo cross bars enhances your cargo capability and provides additional tie-down points for a variety of accessories. They support a maximum of 132 lb. when evenly distributed across
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
heb112 said:
The cross bars are sold separately, MSRP $229. From the Toyota site:

Roof Rack Cross Bars

This set of two roof rack cargo cross bars enhances your cargo capability and provides additional tie-down points for a variety of accessories. They support a maximum of 132 lb. when evenly distributed across
Click to expand...
Jesus...really??? :eek:

Do the roof rails do any good without the crossbars? Maybe if you're trying to haul a box spring mattress, or something? (That'd be a sight...:p)

To my knowledge, if you had the roof rails on the 4.3s, the cross bars came with them. Both my Base and Limited did, at any rate.


Less out-of-the-box utility again for 2013. What, were those "ugly" too?

Maybe it was just even more penny-pinching on Toyota's part.
 
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#4 ·
Almost no one uses their roof racks.
I have not used it even once yet. So I took mine out to make it easier to clean the snow off before I get the RAV in the garage.

May be if I carry some long planks???
 
#5 ·
I plan to use the roof rails but I'm glad they didn't come with the Toyota cross bars (at extra cost), because the aftermarket cross bars such as Yakima can hold more weight. I plan to get after market cross bars for mine. Then I'd like to get a kayak to put on them :)
 
#6 ·
So looking at Thule...a set of pedestals and cross rails (aero type) for the 2012 Rav was $339 MSRP...so the factory ones are a deal if you compare full prices only. The Thule ones probably do hold more weight, but the factory ones are a bit more clean in my opinion since they don't extend past the factory roof rails. I can't speak to the standard equipment on previous Rav's, but perhaps like other options (3rd row) not enough people were demanding the cross rails and they took it away as standard. Perhaps they could be negotiated in as well, I spoke to a dealer this weekend and told him it was silly to try and sell the carpet floor mats in the Northwest for $220 when the all-weather is what I'd want anyways and they're cheaper. He just sorta looked at me blankly and said they'd swap them out or just let me keep the carpet ones since they ordered all their cars that way.

All that being said..unless I get a kayak, I won't have use for the roof rack much at all. My bikes are going in a hitch mounted rack...once somebody finally makes a hitch for the 4.4
 
#7 ·
My dealership had a LE with the cross bars installed and they were clunky as hell! Real ugly. It is funny that they are no longer standard since the first thing I thought of when I stood next to the Rav was, "Hey it is low enough now that I can realistically use the roof rack!" I may get a set up to hold skis down the road.
 
#8 ·
i have the cross bars on my xle. i'm in socal but we don't ski or surf or anything.
so unless we go camping, or maybe use it for a bike rack (?) i dont see much use for them.

i do like the look for having them there.

probably better for us to just take them off and sell them
 
#9 ·
Crossbars are crucial to me. I own a 2007 RAV set up for kayaks, and the wife drives a 2001 with a kayak attachment as well. We haul them back and forth all summer. I'm looking at the 2013 Outbacks which have siderails that pivot across the roof to become crossbars, and pivot back when you want streamlining or snow removal. Pretty slick. I have not yet seen a 2014 Forester on a lot; maybe next month. It's the 'Recreational' part of the 2013 R-A-V that will have me go with it -- or not.
 
#11 ·
We recently got a loaded CR-V EX-L and it has the rails but cross bars are extra.

I just traded my 2011 Limited RAV today on a 2013 Limited RAV and was also told the cross bars are an option and are not yet available to the dealers. Dealer told me a few of the LE's they have gotten came with the cross bars from the factory but, otherwise, he said he is not able to order them as an accessory yet.

I've never used the cross bars on my 2011 RAV so I don't plan to add them.
 
#13 ·
smlranger said:
We recently got a loaded CR-V EX-L and it has the rails but cross bars are extra.

I just traded my 2011 Limited RAV today on a 2013 Limited RAV and was also told the cross bars are an option and are not yet available to the dealers. Dealer told me a few of the LE's they have gotten came with the cross bars from the factory but, otherwise, he said he is not able to order them as an accessory yet.

I've never used the cross bars on my 2011 RAV so I don't plan to add them.
Click to expand...
From what I know the XLE and limited come with rails installed, the LE must be port installed option...
 
#14 ·
ipokrov said:
From what I know the XLE and limited come with rails installed, the LE must be port installed option...
Click to expand...

Yes, the two I saw at the dealer with cross bars were XLE's, not LE's as I previously stated. The dealer had no LTD's on the lot but I was told the cross bars were an option on the LTD. I will find out today when my car comes in from the DX process.

In using the 'build your Toyota' feature on Toyota's website, I did not see roof rail cross bars as a standard feature on the LTD. Maybe I missed it.
 
#15 ·
smlranger said:
We recently got a loaded CR-V EX-L and it has the rails but cross bars are extra.

I just traded my 2011 Limited RAV today on a 2013 Limited RAV and was also told the cross bars are an option and are not yet available to the dealers. Dealer told me a few of the LE's they have gotten came with the cross bars from the factory but, otherwise, he said he is not able to order them as an accessory yet.

I've never used the cross bars on my 2011 RAV so I don't plan to add them.
Click to expand...
I got my Limited this past Monday and they put the crossbars on order for me with them expecting to arrive either today or Monday. I wonder which one of us is being lied to? I also asked about the all weather floor mats/cargo tray but haven't heard back if they are available yet.
 
#17 ·
Best Cargo Rack?

I am looking to get a cargo rack for my 2013 Rav4. It has the rails and crossbars. Can anyone recommend the least expensive, or close, and best option?
 
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Big Tex
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