Now available from Thule Racks are the 480 / 480R Traverse Fit Kits - 1625 for 2012 Audi A7 RS7 S7 Sportback, 1629 for 2011-2012 Kia Optima, 1633 for 2011-2012 Nissan Leaf, 1638 for 2012 Kia Cadenza, 1651 for 2012 Audi A6 S6, 1656 for 2011-2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

In an ongoing effort to ensure many of the latest cars, vans and pickup trucks are compatible with Thule Racks roof rack systems, Thule is constantly testing, engineering and designing new components to fit new vehicles. Thule has recently released new Thule Fit Kits for use with the 480 Traverse and 480R Rapid Traverse car racks. The latest Fit Kits are the Thule 1656 Fit Kit for 2011-2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with factory racks and 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (bare rooftop) SUV models, Thule 1651 Fit Kit for 2012 Audi A6 and 2012 Audi S6 4-door sedan models, Thule 1638 Fit Kit for 2012 Kia Cadenza 4-door sedan model, Thule 1633 Fit Kit for 2011 Nissan Leaf and 2012 Nissan Leaf 5-door hatchback models, Thule 1629 Fit Kit for 2011 Kia Optima and 2012 Kia Optima 4-door sedan models and the Thule 1625 Fit Kit for 2012 Audi A7 Sportback, 2012 Audi RS7 Sportback and 2012 Audi S7 Sportback models.

Q: I’m interested in purchasing the HighRoller bike rack and the whispbar rail system. I’ve heard that they are not compatible and the FrontLoader was suggested. I’m not interested in it. Are there any mounts available to solve that problem?

I’m also concerned about the size of the whispar for my car… I own a 2003 Audi Allroad and another website recommended a different size from the one specified in your Fit Guide.  Unfortunately I don’t know the exact size between the rails, but I’m going to check that prior to the order.

Could you provide me with links for all that’s required to make the rack? and locks for rack-bar and rack-bike?

A: First, I cannot find an authorized Whispbar fit for your 2003 Audi Allroad with factory raised side rails. You must be looking under a different Audi model than I am in the fit guide.

You can mount the HighRoller on the Whispbars and other wider bars, including factory installed crossbars, using the Yakima Universal Mighty Mounts.

While you can lock the bicycle to the HighRoller with the included cable lock and Yakima Locks SKS two-pack, sold separately, you will not be able to lock the HighRoller to the Whispbar rack.

The below text is from the HighRoller product page and does a good job of spelling out the differences between the HighRoller and FrontLoader.

Tim asks – What is the difference between the HighRoller and the FrontLoader?

ORS Crew answers – Great question. There really isn’t much that separates the considerably more expensive HighRoller and the cheaper priced FrontLoader except that the HighRoller has a rear strap that can be accessed from either side of the bike tray. Unlike the FrontLoader, which will mount directly to factory rack cross bars, the HighRoller will NOT connect directly to factory racks however, you would need to use a set of Yakima Universal MightyMounts clamps with the HighRoller to connect it to factory rack crossbars. Also, while you can use a Yakima SKS lock in the integrated locking cable on the HighRoller to lock the bicycle to the HighRoller, you can’t simply use another Yakima SKS lock core to lock the HighRoller itself to the roof rack. You would have to also purchase a Yakima Lock Housing Unit to insert a lock core into. The FrontLoader, however, offers the convenience of simply using a Yakima 2-pack of locks to lock the bicycle to the carrier, via the integrated cable lock, and also the FrontLoader itself to the roof rack by inserting a lock directly into the front end of the carrier. Basically, Yakima Racks first released the HighRoller, then a couple years later realized they needed to offer a similar bike rack that connects directly to factory racks and will also optionally lock to the vehicle. The FrontLoader also uses the same very sleek low-profile bike tray as found on the fork mount style Yakima ForkLift bike rack. So really, unless you feel strongly about the need for a two-sided rear wheel strap, you will want to choose the cheaper priced FrontLoader bike rack over the HighRoller. And you’ll be gaining better security features and the ability to attach the carrier directly to factory racks.

Q: I have a 2000 Audi TT. I need a cheap but sturdy rack for a long surfboard (11 foot). I would prefer a surfboard package but I do not have a base rack system on the TT right now. What should I do?

A: First of all to carry a long surfboard you will need to get a base rack system for your TT.  I would recommend Thule’s 480 Traverse system. Then you would need a way to secure it to the roof rack. I would recommend Inno’s INA744 boardlocker which fits perfectly onto Thule’s base rack and gives you the capability to lock your surfboard.

Picture of the all-new Rocky Mounts Euro PitchFork bicycle carrier, a fork mounted roof bike rack for use on votex rack cross bars - OEM roof racks for Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mini Cooper, VW, Volvo etc., Whispbar roof racks, Thule Rapid Aero load bars, Thule Xsporter truck rack etc.

Following on the heels of the wildly-popular Rocky Mounts Pitchfork bike rack is the uber-cool RockyMounts Euro PitchFork bike rack. While the standard PitchFork model fits any roof rack square and round cross bars from Thule Racks, Inno Racks, Yakima Racks etc., it falls short when it comes to working with any oval, aerodynamic style cross bars with t-slot channels such as votex roof rack cross bars, which are available as OEM roof racks on Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mini Cooper, Volkswagen, Volvo etc., Whispbar roof rack crossbars, Thule Rapid Aero load bars, Thule Xsporter truck rack and more. The Rocky Mounts Euro Pitch Fork bicycle carrier has all the same premium features included on the normal RockyMount PitchFork, as well as the specific installation hardware for the slotted channel cross bars. And as with all other RockyMount bike rack products, this carrier delivers all the same high-end features, design styling and ease of use found on Yakima and Thule roof bike racks yet is available at a cheaper price. Works with most styles of bicycles, from road to mountain and anything in-between. Optionally locks the bicycle to the rack and the bike rack itself to the roof rack (RockyMounts locks sold separately).

Q:  I’m looking for a base rack system for my 2010 Audi Q7 which has factory side rails.  What do you suggest? I also would like a cargo box for my Audi Q7 and would like to know which is the largest roof box available.

A:  There are a couple of base rack options for your 2010 Audi Q7 with side rails.  Yakima recommends the RailGrab Complete System .  However, your vehicle uses a pin adapter attachment with this system, which is included at no extra charge (at the time of this posting it is  backordered from Yakima until July, so there would be a significant delay on this system).

As an alternate choice, you could also use the Thule 460 Podium Complete System.  Any new Yakima cargo box will still fit on the Thule bars.

The largest cargo box available  would be either the Yakima SkyBox 21 or SkyBox Pro 21 (you can see the Yakima cargo boxes here).  The only difference is the finish on the box, with the Pro series coming in different color options and being glossy.  One thing to be aware of with large boxes like this is they may interfere with the ability to open the rear hatch completely when the box is on the vehicle, though this doesn’t affect the performance of the box itself at all and the hatch can still be partially opened.

Very nice shot of a 2011 Audi A4 Avant roof bike rack system using the Yakima Railgrab system for factory side rails, the Yakima Windjammer wind noise deflector, and two Yakima Copperhead bike rack with a Yakima SKS 6 lockpack for security.

This nice looking 2011 Audi A4 Avant roof bike rack system for two bikes is racked up with the Yakima Railgrab complete base rack  system, the Yakima WindJammer wind noise fairing, two Yakima Copperhead bike racks, and a Yakima SKS 6 lockpack of 6 locks with keys.  Nice example of rack-it science at work.

Complete installation details for 2011 Audi A4 Avant S-Line roof mounted bike system.

Image of 2003 Audi A4 Avant Ski - Snowboard Roof rack for factory rack siderails. Consists of Yakima RailGrab car rack system and Yakima Buttondown Aero snowboard / ski rack.

This is a great rack fit solution if you are looking for a ski / snowboard rack for a 2003 Audi A4 Avant. The Yakima RailGrab Roof Rack Kit for factory siderails fits all factor siderails and comes with a set of 4 RailGrab towers and a set of 58 ” crossbars.  The Yakima Buttondown Aero Snowboard / Ski Rack holds up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards – or you can carry some of each.

Complete 2003 Audi A4 Avant Roof Rack info…

Image of 2007 Audi Q7 Roof Rack with Ski Carrier. Includes Thule 460 Podium Roof Rack with 4002 Podium Fit Kit and Thule 91726 Universal Pull Top Snowboard-Ski Rack

A great ski – snowboard rack for a 2007 Audi Q7, the Thule 91726 Universal Pull Top Snowboard-Ski Rack in this example is attached to the Thule 460 Podium Roof Rack with 4002 Podium Fit Kit which fits the Audi Q7 roof top.  The Thule Universal Pull Top Ski Rack includes locks for securing the ski rack to the Podium Roof Rack.

Complete Audi Q7 Ski-Snowboard Rack Info…

Photo of kayak roof rack for Audi Q7 includes the Thule 460 Podium roof rack, 4002 Thule Podium Fit Kit and Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack.

Look at this kayak roof rack for an Audi Q7! The Thule 460 Podium roof rack and Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak roof top rack combination really compliments the Audi’s slick engineering. The portion of this set up that makes up the base car rack system for an Audi Q7 is the 460 Thule Podium car rack system which includes the Thule 460 Foot Pack, Thule 4002 Podium Fit Kit Clips and Thule 58 inch load bars, the correct length load bars for an Audi Q7. For an Audi Q7 kayak roof rack the Thule 897XT Hullavator car top  kayak  rack is an amazing pairing – from the gas-assist struts to the universal ability to mount to any load bars.

See more details on Audi Q7 roof mount kayak rack…

Bird's eye view of a 2004 Audi A4 bike roof rack decked out with the Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero Car Rack System (with Thule 2114 Fit Kit), Thule 872XT Wind Fairing, Thule 518 Echelon Bike Racks and Thule 593 Wheel Holders.

Nothing like a sweet Thule Rack base system with bike racks to snaz up your Audi A4.  Here we have a 2004 Audi A4 bike roof rack system using the Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero Base Rack System (includes Thule 400 XTR Rapid Aero Foot Pack, Thule Fit Kit 2114, and Thule RB 47 Rapid Aero Bars) with the Thule 872XT wind fairing mounted to the front Rapid Aeo load bar. Also mounted to the Rapid Aero Bars, using the Thule X-Adapt 9 adapters, are two Thule 518 Ecehelon fork mounted bike trays and two Thule 593 Wheel Holders.  A Thule 596 lock pack 6 pack of locks keeps it all secure from theft. 

Complete 2004 Audi A4 roof bike rack install details.