From the category archives:

Base Car Rack Systems

Photo of a 2006 Chevy HHR roof rack and ski-snowboard carrier. The Thule 45050 Crossroad car rack is mounted to the Chevrolet HHR factory side rails and the Thule 91725 universal Flat Top snowboard-ski rack is attached to the 45050 Crossroad crossbars.

Photo of a 2006 Chevy HHR roof rack and ski-snowboard carrier. The Thule 45050 Crossroad car rack is mounted to the Chevrolet HHR factory side rails and the Thule 91725 universal Flat Top snowboard-ski rack is attached to the 45050 Crossroad crossbars.

Arriving at the ski slopes in style and without any worries about your skis and snowboards on the roof top is essential. This customer installation picture shows how it’s done with a 2006 Chevrolet HHR ski roof rack setup. The system includes the Thule 45050 Crossroad car rack attached to the Chevrolet HHR factory side rails and the Thule 91725 Flat Top ski rack-snowboard rack connected to the 45050 Crossroad roof rack cross bars. Locks are also included with these items so both the car rack is secure on the vehicle and the skiis and snowboards are safe inside the carrier.

2006 Chevrolet HHR car rack & ski rack install details

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Thule 480 Traverse Review by ‘Derek’

by rackdawg on March 10, 2010

Thule 480 Traverse car rack review by 'Derek'. He is using the 480 Traverse system as a 2005 Honda Accord roof rack. The Thule 835Pro Hull-a-Port is then attached to the 480 Traverse cross rails.

Thule 480 Traverse car rack review by 'Derek'. He is using the 480 Traverse system as a 2005 Honda Accord roof rack. The Thule 835Pro Hull-a-Port is then attached to the 480 Traverse cross rails.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)

Configuration: 2005 Honda Accord roof rack for carrying a kayak

“Installing the Thule 480 Traverse roof rack system was a snap! I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do it by myself, but I was very pleased with how easily it all went together. I also use the Thule Hull-a-port Pro for carrying my kayak, and I am very pleased with how stable everything is! I never have to worry about transporting my kayak again.”

all Thule 480 Traverse car rack reviews

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1985 Volkswagen VW GTI Car Rack Basket Install

by rackdawg on March 10, 2010

Headed out to Burning Man, this picture shows off a sweet 1985 VW GTI roof rack cargo basket system that includes the Thule 305 Volkswagon car rack and A21030 SportRack basket.

Headed out to Burning Man, this picture shows off a sweet 1985 VW GTI roof rack cargo basket system that includes the Thule 305 Volkswagon car rack and A21030 SportRack basket.

A fantastic choice of components for the ultimate road trip to Burning Man, this 1985 VW GTI car rack basket configuration includes the Thule 305 Volkswagon roof rack (includes a four pack of Thule locks to lock the roof rack to the VW GTI roof top) and the A21030 SportRack roof basket attached to the Thule 305 cross rails. FYI, the 1985 VW GTI has a 3A 2.0L bubble block motor out of an Audi 80.  The previous owner ralley crossed this baby!

1985 VW GTI car rack basket install details

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2007 Hyundai Sonata Ski Roof Rack Install

by rackdawg on March 9, 2010

Picture depicts a 2007 Hyundai Sonata roofrack and ski rack setup using the Yakima Q Tower roof rack system (with Yakima Q5 clips and Q99 clips) and the Yakima Buttondown ski-snowboard rack.

Picture depicts a 2007 Hyundai Sonata roofrack and ski rack setup using the Yakima Q Tower roof rack system (with Yakima Q5 clips and Q99 clips) and the Yakima Buttondown ski-snowboard rack.

A superb example of how to carry your skis safely, securely and stylishly. This customer install picture highlights a 2007 Hyundai Sonata car rack and ski-snowboard rack system. The base rack system components used include the Yakima Q Tower roof rack (using the Yakima Q5 clips and Yakima Q99 clips plus the 58 inch crossbars, necessary for the 2007 Hyundai Sonata roof top).  The Yakima Buttondown ski-snowboard rack is then mounted directly to the cross bars. Also a six pack of yakima locks with keys is also used to lock the skis to the ski rack and the Q Towers to the Hyundai Sonata roof top.

2007 Hyundai Sonata car rack ski carrier install details

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Honda Pilot Roof Rack for Skis and Bike

by rackdawg on March 5, 2010

Standing beside this awesome Honda Pilot roof rack setup for carrying skis and a bike are Mr. Reeder, Yakima Racks Sales Rep, and Shawn, ORS Racks Direct Operations Manager.

Standing beside this awesome Honda Pilot roof rack setup for carrying skis and a bike are Mr. Reeder, Yakima Racks Sales Rep, and Shawn, ORS Racks Direct Operations Manager.

Lucky us for a recent visit from Mr. Reeder, Yakima Racks Sales Rep. A great day was had by all at ORS Racks Direct, as we spent the day discussing all things concerning Yakima Racks… exciting new products are now available for 2010, including the Yakima FrontLoader bike rack, Yakima SpareTime spare tire mount bike rack, Yakima EvenKeel kayak rack etc. Of course, before Steve had a chance to jump back in his car and head back home, we were able to capture yet another poor quality image (due to using a Blackberry camera and foggy weather) of his sweet Honda Pilot roof rack for carrying skis and a bike. The Yakima RailGrab roof rack is mounted to the Honda Pilot factory side rails and the Yakima SkyBox LoPro ski box and Yakima SprocketRocket bike rack are attached to the RailGrab cross bars. Pictured along with Mr. Reeder is Shawn, ORS Racks Direct Operations Manager, obviously involved in high-level rack science discussions.

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Malone Universal Cross Rail Roof Rack

by rackdawg on February 15, 2010

Image showing the amazingly inexpensive MPG203 MPG202 MPG201 Malone Universal Cross Rail car rack systems for attaching to vehicle factory raised side rails.

Image showing the amazingly inexpensive MPG203 MPG202 MPG201 Malone Universal Cross Rail car rack systems for attaching to vehicle factory raised side rails.

Now available from Malone Car Rack Systems is the  unbelievably low priced Malone Universal Cross Rail car rack system. A complete package for installing onto vehicles with factory raised side rails, providing the essential crossbars needed when connecting gear carriers to transport kayaks, canoes, surfboards, stand up paddle boards, skis, snowboards, bikes, cargo luggage, ladders and much more. The Malone Universal Cross Rail system is available in three crossbar lengths – MPG203 65 inch bars, MPG202 58 inch bars and  MPG201 50 inch bars. System even includes a set of 4 locks to secure the rack to vehicle. And the crossbars allow any Malone gear carriers,  any Inno and Thule gear carriers as well as virtually all Yakima gear carriers to attach directly to the Malone cross bars, no adapters needed.  Anyone considering the Thule 450 Crossroad, Yakima RailGrab or Inno IN-FR roof rack systems for mounting to factory siderails will definitely want to check out the much cheaper Malone Universal Cross Rail system.

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Q & A: Installing Thule 480 Traverse on Saab 9-2x

by rackdawg on February 9, 2010

Q: I’m trying to install the Thule 480 Traverse car rack system on my Saab 9-2x but having issues. Specifically, the Thule 1210 Fit Kit clip is not long enough to reach from the Thule 480 Traverse Foot to the correct position on the Saab 9-2x door well. Any help?

A: Check out the photo below that troubleshoots this issue…

thule 480 traverse roof rack troubleshoot
Image A depicts grey screw on the Thule 480 Traverse Foot in the fully tightened position and clip positioned at highest point (the Fit Kit attaches to the clip). If you find that the Fit Kit does not reach down far enough to be positioned correctly on your doorwell, simply fully loosen the grey screw and the clip will lower to its lowest position as depicted in image B. You can then attach the Fit Kit to the clip in this lowest position, allowing the Fit Kit to be properly positioned on the doorwell.

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Thule 487 Traverse Short Roof Adapter Kit

by rackdawg on February 4, 2010

Thule 487 Traverse Short Roof Adapter SRA

Image of Thule 487 Traverse Short Roof Adapter ( SRA ) for use with the Thule 480 Traverse Foot Pack and Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack.

The Thule 487 Traverse Short Roof Adapter (SRA) is required for use with both the Thule 480 Traverse Foot Pack and Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack on certain cars, minivans and pickup trucks with 2 doors, a short roofline, greatly curved roof top etc. The Thule 487 Traverse SRA allows the front and rear cross bars on the roof rack to be distanced further apart, creating the properly safe and stable configuration for attaching gear carriers to transport items such as kayaks, canoe, ladder, cargo box, ski and snowboards, bikes, surfboards and more.

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Toyota Highlander Bike Rack System and Tire Chains

by Rack James on December 6, 2009

Toyota Higlander Hybrid bike rack using Thule 450 Crossroads rack system with Thule 559XTR Big Mouth upright bike carrier and Thule 518 Echelon bike rack and Thule XG-12 tire chains

Toyota Highlander Hybrid bike rack using Thule 450 Crossroads rack system with Thule 599XTR Big Mouth upright bike carrier and Thule 518 Echelon bike rack and Thule XG-12 tire chains

You never know when you might run into snow on your way to your favorite bike trails.  This Toyota Highlander Hybrid is prepared if that may be the case.  Mounted to the Toyota Highlander factory side rails is the Thule 450 Crossroads racks system with not one but two premium Thule bike racks.  On the right is the Thule 599XTR Big Mouth upright bike rack and on the left is the Thule 518 Echelon fork mounted bike rack.  In the event of inclement weather, this Toyota Highlander has a pair of Thule XG-12 tire chains.

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Honda Pilot roof top cargo system using Yakima Railgrab sytem with Yakima Skybox LoPro roof box, Yakima Sprocket Rocket bike rack and Yakima Kayak Stacker with Yakima RackandRoll trailer with Yakima ForkLift bike tray.  Phew.

Honda Pilot roof top cargo system using Yakima Railgrab sytem with Yakima Skybox LoPro roof box, Yakima Sprocket Rocket bike rack and Yakima Kayak Stacker with Yakima RackandRoll trailer with Yakima ForkLift bike tray. Phew.

Either this person is the ultimate rack star or our Yakima rep.  Either way, someone knows how to use auto racks to carry lots and lots of gear and cargo.   From the top of this 2006 Honda Pilot is the Yakima Railgrab system mounted to the factory side rails upon which is mounted the Yakima SkyBox LoPro cargo box, the Yakima Sprocket Rocket fork mounted bike carrier, and out of view but nonetheless present is the Yakima Kayak Stacker.  On the roof of this Honda Pilot alone, a bicycle, two kayaks, and lots of gear can be safely and securely carried.  But that wasn’t enough for this rack king of the road.  To really go over the top, this Pilot is towing a Yakima RackandRoll trailer with 66″ roundbars which can carry just about any Yakima, (such as the Yakima ForkLift bike rack pictured here) Thule, Inno, Malone, or RockyMounts accessory, as well as general cargo such as cardboard boxes, held securely down with Yakima Heavy Duty loadstraps.  There’s not much room left over to rack this ride, but in this case, I think that is ok.

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Dodge Stratus Roof Kayak Rack

November 15, 2009

 If you drive a Dodge Stratus, it doesn’t mean you can’t carry your toys.  All you need is the right rack set up and you’re good to go.  This Dodge Stratus rack system is using the Thule 400XT base rack, and to carry a kayak, we see the Thule 883 Glide and Set kayak saddles.

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Q & A: Ski Rack for a 2009 Ford Fusion?

November 11, 2009

Q:  I want to carry skis, but I cannot find the roof rack for my car. My car is a business style car which doesn’t have a fixed rack on roof.  So, It looks a little bit difficult to implement the roof rack without the rack. Could you recommend one for my style vehicle?
Thank you [...]

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Toyota Matrix Bike Rack Cargo Carrier with Thule 604 Ascent 1600 Cargo Box and Yakima Sprocket Rocket Bike Racks

November 5, 2009

These folks went on a crosscountry road trip in their Toyota Matrix and were able to take plenty of gear and toys with room to spare inside the vehicle.  For a base rack, they are using the Yakima Q Tower complete system.  On top is a Thule 604 Ascent 1600 Cargo Box.  For bike transport, they [...]

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Thule Roof Rack System for Dodge Ram Truck with Thule Truck Cap Rack System

November 2, 2009

Here’s a set up demonstrating the use of two different rack systems working in harmony to deliver some serious cargo carrying capacity.  On the cab of this Dodge Ram is the Thule 400xt base rack system for naked roofs.  On the cap is the Thule 300 Raingutter system for use with raingutters.  Add ’em up and you [...]

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Nissan Titan Custom Truck Bed Rail Bike Rack System

October 28, 2009

Here’s a great alternative rack system for truck owners.  Instead of a rooftop system, like the Thule 400XT complete base system, or a truck rack, like the Thule 422XT Xsporter, this Nissan Titan is rocking a pair of Thule 42″ tracks permanently mounted to the bed rails which allows the use of the Thule 430 Tracker II [...]

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Q & A: Surfboard Rack for 2007 Saturn Ion?

October 27, 2009

Q:  Hi. I’m trying to buy an Inno Board Locker Roof Rack for my 2007 4-Door Saturn Ion. I have a longboard surfboard. Not trying to go the soft rack route so I gotta fork a little extra more, but I’m hoping not that much more? Don’t know if I have rain gutters or not. [...]

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Q & A for Rooftop Car Rack for 2008 Land Rover Range Rover

October 21, 2009

Q: Does anyone make a rooftop car rack system for a 2008 Range Rover?  I’ve checked both Yakima and Thule and nothing is coming up.  They only offer racks for Range Rovers with factory racks and mine has none.  I want to carry two bicycles and maybe a kayak.  Thanks!
A: You’re right, Yak and Thule don’t provide a [...]

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Toyota Sienna Kayak Rack and Luggage Rack using Yakima RailGrab Roof Rack System with Yakima Bowdown Kayak Carriers and Yakima Rocket Box 15 Cargo Box

October 15, 2009

If y0u’ve ever wondered whether you can carry two kayaks and a cargo box for all your gear on the top of your vehicle, here is proof.  This Toyota Sienna with factory raised side rails has the Yakima RailGrab base system with a Yakima Rocket Box 15 cargo carrier flanked by two Yakima BowDown kayak racks, [...]

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Audi A4 Roof Rack Bike Rack using Thule 400xt complete rack system with Thule 518 Echelon premium bike rack

October 7, 2009

 The Thule 400XT base rack system installed on this Audi A4 adds a sporty flair to this fine vehicle, but its main purpose, of course, is carrying a bicycle on the roof.  The Thule 518 Echelon does a great job of that and is in fact Thule’s most secure roof top bike carrier.

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Saab 9-3 Wagon Roof Bike Rack System using Thule 450 Crossroad Base System and Thule 516 Prologue Bike Carrier

October 7, 2009

A very nice car with a very nice rack system.  Here’s a Saab 9-3 with factory roof rails using the very nice Thule 450 Crossroad car rack base system which fits most raised side rails.  For safe and secure bike transport, this Saab 9-3 has chosen the very nice Thule 516 Prologue bike rack for carrying what I can [...]

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