Actually they are used for many purposes (luggage boxes, roof racks, among many other things). they are there to keep your roof from caving in from the weight.

 

Yeah, I understand what you're saying. Just a thing with me - I don't like putting anything up on the top of vehicles. I think it looks stupid. If I can't get it inside, then I'll borrow my brother in-law's trailer.

 

How do you get the cross bars off of the factory rack on a 4th gen? Looks like you have to take off the front cap off the roof rail. Correct? Not sure how to get that sucker off either.