Traded our 05 Sub for a 2020 Tahoe. A few months after purchase noticed the roof rack had no cross bars from driver to passenger side. Getting ready to pick up a XMas tree and found the side rails are solid - so no holes to run a rope thru to tie anything down. Who's the engineering genius that changed something so simple and functional as found on our 05 & 93? And wouldn't you expect to get the cross pieces with your new Tahoe? Very disappointed!

 

I'd guess that GM sells an add-on for that !!!

We've had our 2005 Yulon XL Denali for 10 years now, and we've used the roof rack once (to transport a ladder). On our 1988 Suburban we used the roof rack a lot, but had to replace all the mounting screws (sheet metal screws) with larger-thread ones; it seemed that GM in 1988 was clueless as to what size pilot hole needed to be used for a certain diameter sheet metal screw, had to replace many inside the vehicle as well....at least that issue was better with our 1994 Suburban and 2005 Yukon !!! Thanks, GM !!!

 

Cross bars have been a option for a few years now on all the SUV's.
My '99 Yuk always used to transport ladders on it, my '11 Tahoe has so much wind noise with the same ladder I don't put it up there anymore.

 

They could have at least left openings in the side rails to make them just a little bit useful. Fortunately still have our old reliable 93 Sub; happily tied my tree to it's well designed roof rack last night!

 

Im frustrated as well. Ive had 4 Tahoes, Suburbans since 1997. Who sells a truck without a workable roof rack. So, I purchased the factory bars to make it a roof rack and ...the spacing is different than on all the previous trucks. 28inches then 18 inches. My $500 Yakima case has a spacing of 32". Any suggestions?

 

For the record, we bought out 1988 Suburban in 1994, had a factory roof rack, which we did use. While about to return from vacation in San Diego, and loading up the rack, noticed that is attaching sheet metal screws were all loose - we would've lost our load for sure. So I remember installing wider sheet metal screws in the hotel parking lot.
On that Suburban, seemed like ALL the sheet metal screws were loose/wrong size, even the ones for the plates protecting the slots for the 3rd seat. And some wonder how the Japanese were able to secure such a large market share.....

 

Well, my 02 Mazda has adjustable roof rack, and aftermarket for luggage compartment. I love my 03 suburban, but why can't GM just get in line with the res of the world on items such as a roof rack?

 

$$$$$$$$

 

Rednucleus
Totally agree....same frustration on my ‘17 Burb LT. Put the cross bars/rails on my Xmas list & Santa delivered...installing them today. Got an OEM equiv on Amazon...provided mounting hdw. screws are crap so replaced w good SS from local hdw. store...cross bars themselves are good quality & powder coated....I’m frustrated too that GM left them out...WTH...but hopeful for the aftermarket units.

 

Let us know how they fit and link to manufacturer would be nice.