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How to Pay for Roof Crossbars Before Your Road Trip

How to · Auto

How to Pay for Roof Crossbars Before Your Road Trip

Get your car ready for summer adventure by spreading the $350 cost of heavy-duty crossbars over more than a year without paying extra.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $350 before anything else
Across the 0% window $23.33/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $350 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Owning a car is a constant stream of tiny financial leaks, from registration fees to unexpected tire changes. When you want to gear up for outdoor trips, adding heavy-duty roof crossbars can set you back about $350 before you even buy the cargo box or rack to put on top. The best time to buy car gear is late winter or early spring, right before retail demand spikes and prices firm up for the summer rush.

Instead of letting a big accessory purchase eat into your road trip budget, you can use a strategic card window to pay for these upgrades over time. While you should never finance a whole vehicle on a credit card, using one for the deposit or the heavy-duty extras is a smart way to keep your cash on hand for the actual journey.

Just remember that the 15 months window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you do not pay off the full $350 balance before the intro period ends, the remaining amount will start racking up interest at the card's standard variable rate.

The steps

  1. 01

    Check your car roof layout

    Look at what you are starting with on your roof. Some SUVs have raised side rails, while others have flush rails or completely bare roofs. You need to know your exact vehicle setup before you buy, or you will end up paying return shipping on a very heavy box.

  2. 02

    Buy during the spring lull

    Retailers discount outdoor gear in late winter and early spring to clear out older stock. Do not wait until June when everyone else is scrambling to pack for their camping trips and prices are at their highest.

  3. 03

    Spread the cost safely

    Put the purchase on the Discover it® Cash Back card. It offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. By breaking the $350 cost down, you only need to pay $23.33 per month to clear the balance before any interest kicks in.

  4. 04

    Skip the dealer markup

    Factory crossbars from a dealership are almost always overpriced. Look for reputable aftermarket brands that offer the same weight capacity for a fraction of the cost, and install them yourself with basic tools.

  5. 05

    Test the fit before you pack

    Mount the bars a week before your trip. Drive around the block to check for wind noise or whistling, and tighten the bolts one last time. You do not want to discover a loose fit on the highway.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Can I install roof crossbars myself?

Yes, most aftermarket crossbars clamp onto your existing side rails with a simple hex wrench. It usually takes less than thirty minutes if you follow the manual carefully.

Do roof bars hurt your gas mileage?

They do add a little aerodynamic drag, which can dip your fuel economy by about one to two percent. Taking them off when you are not using them is an easy way to save gas.

What is the weight limit for most crossbars?

Most heavy-duty crossbars are rated to hold up to 165 pounds. Always check your car's roof weight limit too, as it might be lower than what the bars can handle.

Will any crossbar fit my car?

No, crossbars are highly vehicle-specific. You need to use a fit guide online to make sure the towers and bars match your car's exact make, model, and roof style.