MOTRV8D

i guess you must have missed the HHR SS Roof rack thread I posted back on January 19... that's okay, you were prolly too absorbed in breaking in your brand new Torrent GXP AWD.

I think the bottom line on the roof rails thing is get 'em if you think you'll need 'em, but dont if you don't like how they look on a "retro rod."

Me? I dont think I will be getting them. I like the clean look.

HillsdaleHHR

Combined the threads I like no roof racks better.

MOTRV8D

but what happened to the poll?

HillsdaleHHR

Not sure I'll have to ask the expert on that one. Oh Sindy

Nebulous1

A lot of vehicles out there are quicker than the HHR SS, because performance is their primary design goal. In my mind the main strength of the HHR SS is that for the cargo space available, fuel economy, price, and performance, no other package comes close. (Well, except for maybe the Caliber SRT4, if it didn't suck). So if you wanna use the HHR SS to haul a$$, passengers, and cargo all at the same time, get the rails. You can always remove the crossbars to lower wind resistance if you won't use them for a while.

Remember, with kids in the rear seat you can't fold them down, which limits how much cargo you can carry inside. So I ordered the rails and will get the crossbars too. It will look lame hauling trash on the roof to the transfer station, but no way I'll put smelly bags of trash inside. Our nearest Costco is about 120 miles away. So, if I bring the wife and kids and buy enough stuff to justify the trip, I hafta do it with a roof cargo carrier. I'm amazed that one vehicle can handle so many things so well. Looking as cool as possible is nice, but I'm all for rails cuz my top priority has to be utility.

hogwild

Black roof racks on a black car, I really dont even notice them

lteton2

If it ever arrives, I have a Red SS on order with the rails. I do some canoeing and need something to attach straps to. Wish they had a vertical center divider though. I'm hoping I can attach my Yakima's to them so I can carry two boats, and am not interested in the factory cross bars at all. I just hope the roof load is enough to put two boats on top. Probably 150#s or less.
Anyone know the roof specs?

Nebulous1

Yep, page 2-50 in the owner's manual sez it's 150 lbs. I bet you could put more on, but take turns slow with all that weight on top of that high roof.

lteton2

Hi Nebulous1
Thank's for the info. I've carried boats on a 99 Blazer for several years now in So Mo and Ar backroads. I don't much like slowing down for corners and it's worked out pretty well and the SS should handle a lot better so I think I'll be OK.

Nebulous1

Heh heh. I hope so too, cuz I wanna load mine up as much as possible to justify my 240-mile round-trip Costco runs. Which, by the way, will be my first real drive, so I'll have the first 240 miles of break-in done in 1 day. Then it'll be almost time to give it some boost to seat those rings properly.

- Jesse