Any thoughts or experience with making a roof rack for a Toyota Highlander,2012???
Old mini-van died, got the new Highlander base model no roof rails.
Dealers parts guy says the rails are $400 PER SIDE!!!!! Plus some other bits and pieces bringing the total with crossbars from the dealer to something like $1400.
Apparently Yakama and Tule don't have "naked roof setups yet. I have a friend who can fabricate just about anything from metal and even if he charges me his regular shop rate he is more than fair.
One of my main concerns is the attachment fittings. There are two plastic cover plates on each side of the roof so I assume there is a tab or some threaded gismo in there just need a clear thinking engineer type to help me out.

Guess I should have paid more at the beginning, wait maybe that is the reason for the high price from the parts guy.

Oh well I had one month without a car payment.

Oh yeah, have to get something fabricated by end of May. Driving LA to San Francisco to build a baidarka with Wolfgang Brinck, need to get it back home.
Could I get away with the foam blocks and straps that go inside the car with the doors holding holding it tight?? I've heard people use them but we are talking about a 6 hour drive back home.

Thanks, will post pictures of the build if I can figure out the details of posting pictures.