Roof rack availablity for 2014 Silverado crew cab???

[Big Pete]

Does anyone know what/when/if GM is going to offer factory roof (aka "luggage") rack systems for the 2014s?

 

They
look to have what looks like a "hard point" mounting channel in the
roof that wasn't on the previous body style. I've got my fingers
crossed that it is going to be compatible with one of the big
aftermarket rack companies... Thule... Yakima... Etc...

 

The parts guys at my dealership clueless... and I mean CLUELESS...

 

I'm
not a big roof rack guy but I hang glide so I need a roof rack to haul
my gliders. My last pickup required me to drill holes and use riv-nuts
to mount the factory rails. I'm hoping that isn't the case for my 2014. I would really like to stick to factory parts for the rails at the very least.

 

Any ideas...

 

Here is my old truck rigged up. I plan on getting a cap for my 2014 so that should cover the rear, I just need front supports.

 

[KUUG]

I don't have a direct answer but I would call Thule and Yakima to see if they started offering anything yet. They might make something that goes in the jam and you wont have to drill holes at all. I was looking to do this for my kayak because I know they offered it on other years.

 

 

Post up what results you end up with

[1kwik72]

Funny I was digging around my basement yesterday and came across the cross bars to the roof rack from my old 02 Suburban. I had the dealer remove the factory roof rack before delivery as I don't care for them. Back then I can tell you the factory mounting wasn't anything special just knurled blind threaded inserts. Like the ones in this link (closed end style) http://www.efc-intl.com/products/blind-threaded-inserts-als-type-wlarge-sealed-head.htm you could find a factory rack that was close and install the mounts. As long as you were careful drilling and put a dab of sealer on them once you installed I think they would work OK. Not that I will be drilling into my 50k truck anytime soon

[Big Pete]

Thanks guys...

 

The rails I installed on my 13 were GM factory parts. They did in fact mount with the same knurled blind threaded inserts that you refered to (I call them "riv-nuts"). But they were super easy to install and the rail installation kit came with everything you needed to install them as well as a template to get them in just the right locations. There was no need to remove the head liner at all and the installation went flawless. I did use a little bit of sealant during final assemble and didn't have any leakage problems at all.

 

If GM came out with a similar kit for the 14, I wouldn't hesitate to install it. Even though I am not a fan of the look of the roof rack myself. It's just become a neccessity for me given my choice in hobbies.

 

What I don't want to do is use a door jam type mount. Those things will tear the heck out of the jam after being installed for a period of time and they most certainly dont look "factory" at all. Plus I love how quiet the truck is right now and I would like to keep as much of the quietness as I can. I realize that adding crap to the roof of the truck is going to cause noise regardless but creating gaps in the fancy new "triple sealed" door jams would probably just exacerbate the problem.

 

I've contacted the folks at Yakima and Thule and am waithing on a reply. I'm hoping someone knows something! I've also contacted GM as well on this forum and hope to hear something back from them as well although I don't have my fingers crossed there.

 

I'll certainly keep y'all updated when I come up with my final solution along with posting pics of the install process and final product.

 

On another note, I have chosen Leer for the cap I plan on purchasing. I am actually just waiting on a pic of their 100XQ cap that they have just realesed in the last couple of weeks for the 14 Silverados. I hope to order that as soon as I see a pic an approve of the styling. Again, I'm not a huge fan of truck caps either but I need one for hang gliding and the Leer 100XQ is the best looking one I have seen out there as far as following factory styling etc...