Here’s a really solid overview of the Thule 460R Rapid Podium roof rack system, featuring the ultra-sleek and whisper-silent Thule AeroBlade crossbars. The informational video includes an installation of the complete car rack system on  rooftop fixed-points for a premium factory rack looking 2011 Honda CR-V roof rack crossbars multi-purpose system. With the system installed you can then connect any roof mount gearcarrier attachments to the AeroBlade load bars. The components used in the 2011 Honda CRV car rack install are the Thule 460R Rapid Podium Foot Pack, Thule 3042 Podium Fit Kit and pair of Thule ARB47 AeroBlade load bars. The 460R Rapid Podium system is Thule Racks most versatile roof rack solution, as it is often used for other configurations such as mounting to flush side rails, roof tracks and certain custom, permanent rack applications. There are many Podium Fit Kits available, each designed for a specific application and particular vehicle year/make/model.

Here is a nice follow-up instructional video to watch after viewing the Thule 92724 Flat Top / Thule 92725 Flat Top video. This movie features the Thule 92726 Universal Pull Top ski rack-snowboard rack. It is very similar to the Thule 92725, as it also includes the cool new SpeedLink Universal Mounting Clamps, holds up to 6 pr skis or 4 snowboards (and you can carry skis and snowboards at the same time), and includes locks to simultaneously lock the carrier to the car and equipment inside the carrier. Where the 92726 Universal Pull Top ski rack differs is the innovative telescoping cradle arms that will slide out over the side of the car. This makes it super easy to load and unload the snow boards and skiis.  Then the arms retract back into the stored position on the rooftop. The video provides a great demonstration of how this works. Fits factory racks, Thule AeroBlade, square and round crossbars, Whispbar, Yakima, Inno etc. After watching both videos you will have a good foundation for making a decision on what ski rack is best for your needs.

view all Thule Racks 92726 Universal Pull Top videos

This is a great instructional video for the new Thule 92724 Universal Flat Top ski rack (holds up to two snow boards or 4 pr skis)  and Thule 92725 Universal Flat Top ski rack (holds up to four snow boards or six pr skis). The 92724 replaces the older model 91724 and the 92725 replaces the older model 91725. The biggest improvement is the totally advanced Thule SpeedLink Universal Clamp Mounts integrated onto the underside of the ski carriers. Using a wrap-around strap and tension dial, it is effortless to attach the 92725 and 92724 to any roof rack crossbars, including factory rack cross bars, all Thule load bars (including AeroBlade bars, square bars etc.), all Whispbar and Yakima bars, Inno cross bars and so forth. Thule locks and keys are included for locking the rack to the car and the skis and snowboards to the rack.

view all Thule 92725 / 92724 Universal Flat Top ski rack videos

Awesome instructional video featuring the Thule 450R Rapid CrossRoad roof rack system assembled and installed on a 2008 Volvo XC70 with factory side rails. The components used in this complete all-purpose base rack system configuration are the Thule 450R Rapid CrossRoad Foot Pack and pair of Thule AeroBlade load bars (also, not included but highly recommended by the instructor in the movie is a pack of Thule locks to lock the rack to the vehicle). The AeroBlades are the most advanced cross rails (load bars, cross bars or whatever else they may be called) available on the market today. The silent design ensures a quiet environment free of any noise coming from the roofrack while driving down the highway. The 450R Rapid CrossRoad Foot Pack features super-strength steel straps (encased inside padded rubber) that wrap around any style, shape or size of side rails. Then simply use the hex wrench, that is integrated right into the inside of the end caps, to tighten each strap onto the side rail for a perfectly custom fit. Very easy to switch this system out and place on any other vehicle with side rails as well.

This is a really good explanatory video of how to assemble and install the Whispbar Through Bar roof rack system on vehicles with factory side rails (in this case it is the Whispbar S18 Through Bar SmartFoot & Crossbars components combined with the Whispbar K328 Fit Kit mounted to factory side rails for a 2008 Volvo XC70 roof rack system). The true value of this demonstration movie is how selecting the Through Bar system, instead of the Whispbar Rail Bar system, you gain the flexibility of choosing longer cross bars — very handy for gear and equipment transport configurations that require attaching many gear carriers, hauling very wide gear loads etc. While the Whispbar Racks Rail Bar car rack system for factory side rails delivers a very clean, factory integrated look due to the cross bars ending flush with the side rails, you are restricted in using that specific length of crossbars on the particular vehicle year/make/model they are mounted to. This could present problems if there isn’t enough space on the crossbars for all the roof mount gear carriers you want to attach or when transporting a couple wide kayaks, canoe and so forth. That’s when going with the Through Bars is the better choice.

view all Whispbar Through Bar roof rack videos

view Whispbar Rail Bar videos page

The Whispbar Racks Rail Bar roof rack system is designed specifically for mounting to vehicles with factory side rails. It differs from the other Whispbar multi-purpose base rack systems, such as the Through Bar, HD Bar and Flush Bar roofrack systems, because it does not require the additional use of a Whispbar Fit Kit to mount to the vehicle. Instead it connects directly to the side rails (hence, it does not cost as much as the other systems either). This Whispbar Rail Bar video provides a solid, in-depth look at the system and even includes an installation of the Whispbar S53 Rail Bar roof rack model on a 2008 Volvo XC90 that has factory side rails. The whisper-quiet aerodynamic cross bars prevent any rack noise (a common problem with other car racks). Also, no other set up results in such a seamless, factory integrated look. Sleek, polished and stunning looking. The crossbars are also universally designed to accept any roof mount gear carriers, regardless of manufacturer. Locks are included. Whispbar is a premium product division of Yakima Racks.

Being able to choose longer crossbars is very nice for when you plan to mount several gear carriers or transport very wide gear loads etc. With the Whispbar Racks Through Bar and HD Bar systems you have the option to select longer crossbars than what are the default recommendation (usually the shortest allowable length). The process for determining what crossbar length options you have available for your specific automobile is easy. Just open up the Whispbar Fit Kit installation instructions that you need for your specific auto, and refer to the installation measurements chart. You will want the ’1′ and ’2′ measurements for your vehicle under the ‘X’ heading — ’1′ is the measurement of the front cross bar and ’2′ is the measurement of the rear cross bar. Then refer to the Whispbar Racks Though Bar & HD Bar Chart that specifies the crossbar dimension ranges for each specific Through Bar and HD Bar models. If both the ’1′ and ’2′ measurements fall within the crossbar dimension range for a specific model then you can use that Through Bar or HD Bar model and length crossbars. You will see that you can most often select a model that has longer crossbars than the model that was the default recommendation in the Yakima-Whispbar Online Fit Guide tool.

view Whispbar Roof Rack Systems Comparison video

Just released is this excellent, in-depth comparison review and installation video by ORS Racks Direct, featuring the Whispbar Flush Bar roof rack system, Whispbar Through Bar roof rack system and Whispbar HD Bar roof rack system (the Whispbar Rail Bar option is featured in its own movie because it differs from these other systems due to its design that does not use the SmartFoot – Fit Kit technology). The video also provides a good step-by-step procedure for installing the Whispbar Flush Bar on a car with factory installed fixed rack attachment locations on the roof top (fixed-points). In this case the car is a Subaru Impreza. Also, for visual comparison, a single Whispbar Through Bar is attached to the roof in the front, while the single Flush Bar is on the back of the roof. This effectively allows the movie viewer to compare the looks of both systems on a cartop. Very helpful when trying to decide which product to go with. Also, at the end of the movie there is a great informational section detailing how to determine which length cross bars on the Through Bar and HD Bar systems will work on any specific vehicle model. Having the ability to choose longer cross bars than what are normally recommended is a great way to gain extra crossbar space when carrying lots of gear and equipment. Whispbar roof racks feature superior anti-noise generating technology, are ultra slim and low profile and stunning to set your eyes on.

view Thule AeroBlade load bars video

Check out this nice and not-so-lengthy official Thule Racks introductory video review of the rad, new Thule AeroBlade load bars, the car rack industry’s most advanced roof rack crossbars that combine total whisper, quiet silence (translate that into a peaceful noise free ride while driving down the highway) and aerofoil shape, low-profile design that maximizes fuel economy. Of course most people will just go for the stunning good looks, they are so fast looking they look like they are ready for lift off! This introductory Thule AeroBlade load bars video review features footage taken of wind-tunnel testing and crash testing, as well as comparative analysis with other leading crossbars models from other car rack manufacturers such as Yakima, Whispbar, Atera and Mont Blanc. Check out this page for complete Thule AeroBlade bars information. They are available in four sizes, ARB43 43 inches length, ARB47 47 inches length, ARB53 53 inches length and ARB60 60 inches length.

Thule 460R Rapid Podium roof rack

Using the Thule 3069 Podium Fit Kit, along with the Thule 460R Rapid Podium Foot Pack and pair of Thule Rapid Aero load bars, to install the Thule 460R Rapid Podium car rack system to a 2006 Mazda 3 5-door hatchback, this video delivers a good demonstration and explanation on how to mount a roofrack to a car, van or pickup truck cab roof that has factory installed fixed attachment points. Many modern vehicles have fixed point attachments located on the roof top. These points allow for the installation of an aftermarket multi-purpose base rack system. The Thule Racks 460R Rapid Podium system delivers a superb, clean and premium integrated look when installed. There are many different styles and types of fixed point attachments on the various vehicle makes and models, hence Thule Racks offers many different Podium Fit Kits to fit these specific configurations (the video uses the 3069 Fit Kit on the Mazda 3 as an example).

Thule 460R Rapid Podium video