jtexfisher

Hello all...

Considering a mini van and looking a some used T&C models. I went to the big rack sites and it seems almost as if they give a mixed message to the fit of a roof rack for the T&C with dual sliding doors and the factory rack on top. Anybody out there with this setup to confirm if a roof rack is a go or no go on this vehicle?

Thanks!!
Harold

Looigi

No specific knowledge in the case, but if you have a factory roof rack, you can get bike racks that fit factory crossbars, or aftermarket crossbars that will fit the roof rack and bike racks that fit that. Here are some that fit factory crossbars: https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Roof...tory_Bars.aspx

EthanYQX

Have you thought about a hitch rack? Town and Country is pretty tall, if you're pretty short like I am loading bikes might not be fun. Hitch racks are pretty cheap if you already have a hitch.

jtexfisher

EthanYQX, yes..actually we'll be fully loaded with a tandem "long bike carrier" on the hitch and 2 singles up top in my plan. We've been using an 1995 F350 crew cab long bed diesel pickup for transporting the "gang" and it's time to move on to something more fuel efficient and with some creature comforts.

EthanYQX

Ah, full complement, nice. I think any bike attachment should work fine with the factory rails.

Retro Grouch 

I have no specific knowledge of that particular model but I do know that some mini van roof racks are more decorative than functional.

I'd check the Thule website because that's a brand I have experience with. Whatever they say, that's what I'd go with.

fietsbob

There are match charts for cars and the various types of car roof designs.. for Yakima/Thule racks systems.

It was simpler when they all had rain gutters on the edge of roof lines..

Wilfred Laurier

i have a previous generation grand caravan
the twin sister of the town and country
and the factory roof racks have held loads
over multiple cross canada trips

most often i only have a canoe or two attached
but i would trust those racks with just about anything

all that being said
i have a hitch mount bike rack for ease of loading and unloading bikes
even though i am six foot five

dbevisjr

I have a 2012 T&C with the factory roof rack. I haven't looked at current accessories but a friend has Thule brand bike racks that clamp on to the oval shaped factory crossbars. They have been using theirs for 6 years with no problems. Might be worth a look.

WebFootFreak

I have a 2010 with the factory roof rack. For long trips we've put a roof carrier up there and have had no issues. I've been wanting to toss a bike rack up there, in fact I'm planning on a hitch as well since there's 6 of us

fietsbob

Now it's a Fiat-Chrysler .. Italy owns the company ..

buffalowings

Town and Country (and Chrysler) is a piece of crap, regardless of whether it's owned by Italians or Americans.

When we had to load three bikes onto the rails (no bike specific rack) I just zip tied the bikes upside down to the rails (zipties all along the handlebar and saddle rails).

200miler

Have used the following hardware setup for RAAM races over the past years, on various brands of mini vans with factory installed roof rackage, including Chrysler T&C, Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet Venture:

Yakima Grabbers, coupled with 66" crossbars

Yakima, or Rocky Mount Trays - 4 units

Yakima Wheel forks - 4 units

This combo has hauled up to $20K worth of bikes from CA to MD, and return, at both slower pace speeds and at freeway speeds, with zero problems. We also use a 3rd crossbar, forward of the bike lash up, to mount additional wheel forks and speakers. There is also a Yakima Superjoe Pro bike carrier mounted on the rear to facilitate quick exchanges as needed, and to serve as an impromptu repair stand. I personally like the Rocky Mount trays due to their flexibility; slightly wider tray, disk brake cutout, and a "one-handed" QR skewer.

I won't say that the roof rack combo is any type of RAAM equipment standard, but it does appear on many of the team vehicles.

YMMV
-df