My dealer states that roof cross bars cannot be used with a panoramic roof. Is this correct or has anyone used cross bars on a panoramic roof without any issues?

 

See this earlier thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ispreloading=1

It's for a prior generation of the RX but covers the topic in some detail. On earlier versions of the RX with a panoramic roof, dealers routinely echoed what your dealer is telling you. That didn't stop some owners from finding novel ways around this limitation.

 

Some cars simply cannot be fitted with the pano roof and roof racks. But Thule and Yakima make all sorts of hotch-mounted things like ski/snowboard racks, etc. Now if you could only get a hitch...

 

Thanks for your comments. I did find someone who installed Thule crossbars with a panoramic roof. I was hoping to determine if Lexus’ reluctance to do so was structural or safety related or simply functional ie roof cannot open. The reason for my inquiry is that I find the trunk space limited and I would want to use a roof box/carrier when on road trips. I would remove the carrier and possibly the crossbars when not required. I could live with not opening the roof but I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the safety of the occupants if this caused a structural or safety risk. Does anyone know if crossbars cause a structural or safety risk with the panoramic roof?

 

Did you read the numerous posts on this topic at the link I posted above?

 

Hi, please can you put the model of the bars you installed

Regards

 

This is what I found on the internet.
Thule 7047 Fitkit, Thule Evo Fixpoint, Thule Evo Wingbar Silver 118, on 2023 Lexus RX.

 

The Lexus.ca website acts differently now, you can't add the cross bars to a trim with the pano roof anymore, but you could when I ordered mine, it'll be interesting to see what happens whenever it shows up since it's in my config summary from when I ordered.

Now if you go to the site it won't give you the option if you have a pano roof trim level, and if you change from a model without a pano to one that does have a pano, it removes the cross bars (and doesn't it you just change to another trim without a pano roof.

 

Thank you Mr Biebs. If you can please let me know once you take possession of your vehicle if the do provide the crossbars and if they do, if they negatively impact the opening of the pano roof.

 

My car has pano roof and come with roof rail, it will be silly if can't install cross bars lol, I think most likely is you can't open the rood when the cross bar is installed

 

I am doing a research for my RX500h roof bar options and found this thread.

If you got this information from https://www.rackattack.com/car-rack-...ions/lexus/rx/ --- I think the images were for a NX not a RX --- check its c pillars.

FWIW, I think there are two options:
1. Try the Lexus OEM Rx Crbr (PT738-48900) --- it's not expensive and potentially return-able to your local parts store.
2. Thule is now showing "fit confirmed" roof bar options for 2023+ RX 5-dr SUV, but it's not available online yet: https://www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rac...xed%2520points

I mainly want to put on ski and bike racks --- nothing really heavy like a box. Will wait a bit for anyone to try out the Thule solution.

 

This from the Thule specification page for the exact 2023 RX rack linked above:

 

I have a 2023 350h with a panorama glass roof. Roof rails are included as part of the package, which is ironic because the Lexus crossbars are incompatible with the glass roof. I believe the crossbars will work as long as I don't open the roof. I need the crossbars for a ski rack in winter. Does anyone with a panorama roof have a ski rack? If so, is it aftermarket with a high enough clearance for the panorama roof? Is anyone risking it by using the Lexus crossbars?

 

My 2016 has the same issue. I went through the trouble to find something that worked, but ended up using the inside of the car for a ski bag. The rear seats are 40 - 20 - 40 split.

You can lower the center section only and run your ski bag through it, while still carrying 4 people and all the gear in the car.

 

I believe the issue with the pano roof is the foot on the crossbar(s) has to be quite a bit taller; ran into this with my daughter's Tucson and we had to wait a bit for an OEM set of bars to become available- hers was the first year of that new body-style, too. I do know there were a couple of instances where pano-roof people put the standard bars on and accidentally cracked the glass when they opened it up all the way.