d.o.t. regulations state that the bars can't go past the side-view mirrors.  78" is okay, i measured it.  I had 78" yakima bars on my syncro 7-pass.  i thought they looked cool, with the short towers.  I never utilized that extra length for any roof-rack purposes, but you can do pull-ups off them- a useful trailhead parking-lot diversion.  my westy has thule square 66" bars, i wish it had the big ones.

aaron
'87 syncro westy ej22
2009 4wd pop-top routan

> Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:48:52 -0600
> From: aquasheck@HOTMAIL.COM
> Subject: Roof Rack width survey
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I'm putting together a Yakima Roof rack for my 88 vanagon and was wondering if people are favoring the 66" or 78" bar lengths - looks like both are acceptable since the towers curve in a touch.
> 
> the overall width of a vanagon is 73 inches right? - sort of leaning towards the 78", for aesthetics if nothing else.
> 
> -Ben
> 
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