More Tesla Model Y roof racks are hitting the market. You can buy them directly from Tesla, but third-party providers sell them at a lower price. Which cross bars should you buy and install?
As a Model Y owner, I’ve gotten hands-on experience. There are a few key safety things to consider. If you buy a bad roof rack or install it incorrectly, you can crack your glass roof. Here’s how to avoid that…
Tesla Model Y Roof Rack Installation
In this quick video, you’ll see how to install the roof racks. It’s the same process for most Tesla Model Y crossbars that you’ll find. Knowing the process can help you find better roof racks to buy. Here’s a step-by-step review as well…
- Locate and clean around the four alignment arrows
- Place down the paint protection film strips
- Slip in the four bolt hooks (slide pry tool to open access)
- Move them around to fit properly (aligned with each arrow)
- Place the four fitted safety pads on top
- Add the roof rack bars on top
- Tighten screws but not too tight
- Lock cross bars and put on covers
When installing your Tesla roof rack, don’t over tighten the bolts. This is how you might damage your Tesla. With too much pressure, it can crack your glass roof. To avoid that from happening, you can use a torque wrench. This lets you measure how tight you’re turning them.
With this in mind, let’s now look at the different Tesla roof racks…
Tesla Roof Rack Directly from Tesla
You can buy a roof rack directly from Tesla. It comes in at $500 and they’re aluminum cross bars. If you don’t want to install them yourself, some Tesla service providers will do this for you.
Tesla also lists its Model Y roof rack with minimal interior noise and impact to range. Most Tesla owners tend to agree with this as well. Although, depending on your cargo, the range can drop further. These Tesla cross bars are load rated for 165 lbs (75 kg).
Roof Rack Warranty Review
A key part of this review is the safety and warranty. Tesla provides a 4-year warranty on its roof racks. However, this only “covers the repair or replacement necessary to correct any manufacturing defects that occur under normal use.”
That’s a big caveat! If you’re installing them yourself, it’d be easier for Tesla to find reasons not to cover damages. If you’re buying a roof rack directly from Tesla, it might be good to have them install it professionally.
If you’re buying and installing the cross bars yourself, many of these others come with warranties as well. However, they’re much less expensive. Let’s look at some other options…
Best Tesla Cross Bars at a Lower Price
These are the bars I showed in the video above. This is a sponsored link as well. By using my code “briank” you get a 20% discount. That should also apply to any of the Tesla products from this company.
With these discounts, it’s much more affordable. This Tesla roof rack comes in closer to $200, much lower than the ones directly from Tesla. The company also lists a maximum weight of 220 lbs (100 kg).
That’s higher than the one above. However, be careful with either one you buy. Don’t overtighten the bolts. I’ve also seen lots of comments from other Tesla owners. Here’s an example…
The welding on the bolts doesn’t look the best. However, for my video review, I put them through a few tests. I did some shock impact testing with a hammer, as well as walked over them (I’m 200 lbs). Nonetheless, please be wary of the welds when they arrive, as well as what you carry on them.
Even when not carrying much weight, large objects can cause a lot of stress from cross winds. For example, carrying big canoes in windy areas. Keep this in mind when using any roof racks.
Tesla Model Y Roof Racks on Amazon
To find the best cross bars for your Model Y, here are some of the top ones on Amazon (affiliate link). It’s good to do a full review and you can learn from others’ comments.
Some of those roof racks are even less expensive to buy… but be careful! I’m always hesitant to order products if there aren’t enough reviews. If there are only a few comments, those might be paid for and biased. When there are many comments for a single product, it’s harder for companies to game those Amazon reviews.
Nonetheless, we’re getting more options and customer reviews. The Tesla Model Y has already become the best-selling car in the world. And that’s not only the best-selling EV, it also includes gas cars. As a result, we should see more sales and reviews for these types of products. If you order a roof rack from any company, please let us all know about your experience.
Roof Rack Review and Key Notes
Relative to the cost of your Tesla, roof rack bars are not expensive. The cost varies quite a bit, but the designs are all similar. The safest option would be buying directly from Tesla and having professionals install them.
However, if you’re installing the cross bars yourself, the lower cost options might be just as good. Although, take extra care when installing them to prevent issues. Overtightening the bolts is a top mistake that can lead to a broken glass roof. If you don’t plan to carry much weight on top, the third-party roof racks should work well.
If you have any questions about my Tesla roof rack review, please reach out. You can comment on any of my YouTube videos or message me directly. And for your upcoming adventures, here’s my favorite Tesla Camping Accessories. Check them out 🙂 I’ve learned a lot while living out of my Tesla Model Y for a year.