Malone VersaRail™ Bare Roof Cross Rail System (50")

I am really impressed with the Malone Versarail. It is easy enough to attach in just a few minutes (after the initial installation which takes 45 min or so); it is secure enough for highway driving; and it is quiet (it doesn't create wind noise when you are speeding along at 70 mph). The key is to read and follow the instructions. And, I rather think this isn't a good long term solution for transporting kayaks; I plan to stop using it once I see signs of wear. We use it on my wife's 2002 Honda Civic, to carry two kayaks on Thule Hullaport J-hooks. I worried that it would be little better than strapping the boats on the roof with foam blocks. But it isn't like that all all. The product itself is sturdy. The bars rest on large suction cups at the bottom of the adjustable towers. You position the suction cups as close to the edge of the car roof as possible, because that is where the car frame is strongest. So unlike what happens when you strap kayaks on foam blocks on a bare roof, with the Malone versarail you won't dent your roof. The instructions say that the product works even if one of the suction cups gets unstuck. But so far, that hasn't happened. Once you attach the straps that go through the car doors and give each tower a push, the suction cups stick well and the bars are surprisingly stable. The suction cups are easy to unstick by pulling a tab, and they do not leave any marks that I have noticed. The straps and metal buckles are very strong. The straps may not seem to pull very tightly, but once you close the doors they are sufficiently tight. The straps do not vibrate or cause noise as you speed along down the road. The first installation isn't hard, but it is just a bit fussy. You need to position the towers evenly, and the bars within the towers. Don't overtighten the metal screw that attaches the towers to the bars; there is supposed to be some looseness here. You need to position the bars at least 2 feet apart. What we did after the first use was to mark the position of the towers on the car roof with a sharpie marker. The marks fade in time (but we don't care because it is an old car). This makes it very easy to set up for the next trip. We take the Malone Versa rail off the car after each trip and then install it anew for the next trip. I am pretty sure that it what the manufacturers intend you do do. So its not like an expensive Thule or Yakima car roof rack that you install once and leave there for good. The reason to not store it strapped to your car is that sun and rain could wear out the straps, and once they go, the product isn't going to work. We have used it for trips involving a few hours of driving on the freeway with no problem. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. They say important things like, don't use the product in the rain. Water will run through the straps and into the car. I am not sure the suction cups will work as well if wet. The instructions say to remove dust with a cloth from the suction cups and the part of the roof where they will be sticking. This improves the suction. Be sure to buy the right length bars for your car. I have no idea how long the product lasts. If I see any wear or tear on the straps or suction cups I plan to discontinue using it. For us, this is a very affordable (I think I paid $140) short term solution for carrying kayaks on a car that we do not plan to keep long enough for it to be worth fitting with a $500 to $700 Thule or Yakima roof rack. If you don't have a lot of money but you want to take up kayaking or some other hobby that requires hauling things on your older car, this will probably work for you, for a while at least.

I recently purchased a universal roof rack for my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, and I must say it has been an absolute game-changer for my adventures! This remarkable accessory has truly exceeded my expectations! First and foremost, the installation process was a breeze. The rack came with clear and concise instructions that made the setup quick and hassle-free. Within no time, it was securely attached to my vehicle, and I was ready to hit the road. One of the standout features of this roof rack is its exceptional build quality. Constructed with sturdy and durable materials, it feels incredibly robust and reliable. I have used it on multiple trips, and it has effortlessly withstood various weather conditions, including heavy rain and scorching sun, while keeping my cargo safe and sound. I particularly appreciate the versatility of this roof rack. It boasts an adjustable design that caters to my specific needs. Whether I'm carrying bikes, kayaks, or luggage, this rack can be easily modified to accommodate everything I throw at it. This versatility has truly expanded the capabilities of my Santa Fe, allowing me to transport larger items and make the most out of my journeys. The safety features on this roof rack are impeccable. The built-in locking mechanism ensures that my gear stays securely in place throughout my entire trip. I have complete peace of mind knowing that my belongings are safe and won't budge, even on rough terrains or during high-speed drives. Furthermore, the stylish design of the roof rack adds a touch of elegance to my Santa Fe. It seamlessly integrates with the vehicle's aesthetic, complementing its overall look without appearing bulky or out of place. Lastly, I must highlight the exceptional customer service provided by the company. They were prompt in answering my questions and addressed any concerns I had with utmost professionalism and care. Their dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction has only added to my positive experience. In conclusion, this universal roof rack has been a fantastic addition to my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. Its easy installation, durability, versatility, and top-notch safety features make it a remarkable choice. If you're looking to enhance your vehicle's storage capacity and embark on exciting adventures, I highly recommend this roof rack for its outstanding performance.

Ok. Like many vehicles out there on the market, mine didn't have any way to attach a cargo carrier at all. Thus, options for cross bars are limited. It's all fine and dandy if you already have those side rails that run the length of the vehicle, many option exist for cross bars that simply attach to those rails. However, what happens if you don't have those? Enter the Malone VersaRail Bare Roof Cross Rail Rack! These babies were the answer to my prayers when it comes to a functional cross bar for vehicles without side rails. I first tried a unit by a different manufacturer that simply used tension to secure the rails to the inside door frame of the vehicle. Not a good idea. Poor fit on my vehicle led to one of the bars coming off while traveling down a busy highway and nearly hitting the vehicle behind me. This, even after tightening the unit prior to taking off! Not good at all. This may not be the case with every vehicle, but if your door frames are even the slightest bit wide or have much depth to them from the roof of the vehicle, the tension style is NOT the way to go. On the other hand, this Malone unit utilizes suction cups for stability and is secured to the vehicle using straps that are secured within the vehicle using a ratchet strap-like mechanism. Now don't be put off by my use of the term ratchet strap. The straps that hold the unit on the vehicle are a breeze to attach without fussing with any actual ratcheting actions. Just loop it through, pull it tight, and let go of the locking mechanism. Done! Another plus to this system? No worrying whilst on the road! Pro-tip - With the tension unit, I was constantly looking up through my skylight to make sure nothing had come loose. With this subject design, as long as the straps are connected inside the car, there is nothing to worry about! I have used these cross bars on about three separate occasions all with a heavily loaded Thule cargo XL carrier and never had an issue with load bearing capabilities. No sag in the cross bars, not twisting of the rails, no movement on the suctions cups. Nothing. Overall, if your looking for a solid, dependable cross bar unit, this one fits the bill.

I was a little worried when we first put these on the car. I mean, trusting our brand new kayaks to a few suction cups seemed a bit crazy, but it was easy enough to install and fit well. I am still a little nervous about taking it up to freeway speeds, but it works well so far on shorter journeys. My only complaint it having to have the straps right in front of my face inside the car while I am driving. For those looking for specifics, my husband and I mounted this on a 2013 Sentra, added some J hooks, and used it to haul 2 Pescador Pro 12 SOT Kayaks from our landing back to our truck at our drop point. Together the yaks weigh about 130 Lbs so it is a pretty good measure of how sturdy these cross rails are. Although we didn't drive far (20 miles) we did go down some really bumpy dirt roads with steep hills and these held in place perfectly.

We were traveling for a weekend getaway with a newborn and needed extra storage space. These turned out to be great cross bars. We have a 2014 Chevy Equinox with a bare roof and couldn’t find any alternatives to mounting. I even emailed Thule, Yakima & Rhino and none had anything that would work for our vehicle. The Malone 50” was a perfect fit for our vehicle. Installation was a breeze, definitely easier if you have a 2nd set of hands but it’s simple to put together. Instructions are very clear. Once installed, I tried to move the cross bars and they wouldn’t budge at all! We also purchased a MaxxHaul roof carrier that attaches perfectly to the Malone cross bars along with a large storage bag that allowed us to store about four weekend bags and a compact stroller. I would suggest to check your vehicle’s roof weight capacity before loading. I didn’t hear any wind noise while driving and we were doing between 65-80mph from NYC to PA. I’d say for the price of the rails, it is definitely worth it. Only suggestion I’d have is that you don’t use it in the rain as the straps will get wet and water will slowly get into the vehicle. These are temporary cross bars, not permanent. Great value for price and enough storage for our needs.

I bought this item new. What was sent to me was a clearly used and returned item. The shipping address to the prior buyer was still on the box. Straight up bait & switch—illegal. Watch out for this.

This works great for transporting my inflatable standup paddleboard for fishing.

Got this because I was moving from California to Kentucky. I was a little worried that it wouldn't hold what I wanted because I've only really seen people using them for kayaks but I went for it anyway. Not only did it hold my dogs kennel which is probably around 59-60lbs but it also held my bags of clothes on to of that which was probably another 10-20lbs. With this type of racks I've seen people complain about rain leaking into their car but when the straps go through I get it, just don't leave them on all the time, only when you need them. I like that the straps go through the car for the extra security. This thing has been amazing and a lot stronger than I thought it would be. 10/10