Q:  I have a 2010 Ford Flex with a Vista roof.  Want to carry skis .  Not sure if I want a Thule “bin” style carrier, or an actual ski clamp. Nothing on the car right now, but appears to have channels to fit something.  Have read various website forums, where Ford does not recommend putting anything on a Vista roof (huge sunroof)….but everybody does it. Would love some direction.

A: First you will need a base rack system. Thule lists their 480 Traverse Roof Rack System (includes 480 Traverse foot pack, LB58 load bars and 1518 fit kit) as compatible with your 2010 Ford Flex with dual sunroofs (assuming this is the same as the Vista roof). As for whether to go with a cargo box (bin?) or a ski rack, that is personal preference, but here are some things to consider: Obviously the ski rack is going to be much cheaper than a cargo box. On the order of $300+.

If you want a classic ski rack, our best value at the moment is the Thule 91725 Universal Flat Top ski rack for $117.95.

However, the cargo box will hold more skis and other gear and will keep your gear safe from the elements, including road salt. And you can use it all year round for other gear such as fishing rods, camping gear, etc, etc. They install in a matter of just a couple of minutes so you can easily remove it when you don’t want it on the car.

I have a 2005 Toyota Matrix with an Thule Atlantis 1200 on it.

2005 Toyota Matrix with Thule Atlantis 1200 Roof Box

Very useful and looks great.

You can also read a similar Q&A regarding this very same circumstance here.

Q:  I just got a rockymount board rack for my car but i need  the roof bars for my 2 door car. i drive a 99 ford escort zx2 and cant find roof bars for a 2 door car just 4 door any way you can help me out?

A: The only base rack fit for that car I can find is the Inno IN-SU with the K526 fit hooks and B117 bars. Because your car is a 2-door, you also need the short roof adapter, which helps compensate for the limited bar spread on most 2-door sedans.

A: I’m in the Air Force serving in Japan -  I’m in need of a snowboard carrier (for two snowboards) and hopefully a cargo carrier to fit on the roof, but I haven’t found a manufacturer that makes anything for the vehicle.  So the following is a list of vehicle specs and questions.

Car Specs- 1997 Honda Accord Stationwagon.  It has factory roof channels.  The mounting holes are 3.5” apart and the overall dimensions are 1.5” by 4 ¾”.  The space between the roof rails is 41” and the length is 31 inches between the forward and aft mounting points. 

I will be buying a 2011 (or 2012) Ford Explorer when I return to the states.  I would like to reuse the carriers on the Explorer.  I understand the base will not be able to be reused, but I would like to reuse the rest.  Is this possible?

A: The two vehicles you mention use two very different roof racks systems.  The Accord wagon would use the Thule 400xt rack and the Explorer would use the Thule 450 Crossroad.  You could use the Thule 92724 to carry your two snowboards on either rack/vehicle. What you described are the mounting points for the Honda factory installed raised side rails.  If you were able to obtain and install these raised side rails, you could then use the 450 Crossroad rack.

Glorious shot of a Ford E350 van rear mount bike rack for receiver hitch using the heavenly Thule 916XTR T2 hitch bike rack with the Thule 918XTR T2 2 bike add-on.

“Going to the chapel and we’re gonna…go biking?” It looks like that is in store for the folks cruising in this Ford E350 van hitch platform bike rack for 4 bikes using the Thule 916XTR T2 hitch mount bike rack with the Thule 918XTR 2 bike add-on.

Q:  Can you tell me if the Saris Bones 2 will work on both the Ford Edge and the Honda Civic 07? I’m pretty sure the Honda is no problem but the Edge isn’t in their fit guide & I’ve seen things about additional accessories that may be required for glass hatch vehicles and Internet blogs stating people’s opinions that they think it should work but due to the upper spoiler on the edge saris doesn’t actually say it will.

A: You’re right, the Civic is no problem. The Edge however, is a problem when it comes to trunk racks. Saris does not list any of their models as compatible with the Edge and the same goes for Yakima and Thule. The Edge is unfortunately just one of those vehicles that isn’t compatible with trunk racks. If you want to carry bikes on the back of your vehicle, you will need to have a receiver hitch installed and then you are free to select any of the hitch mounted bike racks available. Hitch racks are a bit more pricey than trunk racks, but they are the best way to carry bikes on the rear of a vehicle.

This Ford Focus rooftop cargo box could use a proper base rack system, such as the Thule 480 Traverse system with Fit Kit 1565 or the Yakima Q Tower base system with Q102 Q-Clips.

I had to get a shot of this Rack King cruising down the highway because no one would’ve believed me. I got the shot then I slowed down and let him get a few miles ahead, which I assumed would be a safe enough distance. With a set of foam canoe blocks, a pair of Yakima crossbars, and a pair heavy duty straps running through the interior of the car, this Ford Focus luggage box system is held together with a homemade base rack system and a prayer. If all goes well, it just might not fail at 65 mph. However, just to be safe and prevent a potential catastrophic rack disaster, I would strongly recommend investing in a proper base rack, such as the Thule 480 Traverse base rack with Fit Kit 1565 or the Yakima Q-Tower System with Q102 Q-Clips. As far as the luggage box mounted to this “base rack system” it is doing the job, but in case you’d like to view a wider range of options, there are a lot of rooftop cargo boxes available to choose from in various shapes and capacities.

Q:  I’m looking for a bike roof rack for my 2010 Ford Mustang.  Can you please recommend one for my car?

A: The best option we have it the Yakima Q Tower System (using at least 58” bars and two Q78 clips) with an additional component called the Yakima Q Stretch Kit .  The Stretch Kit allows for greater bar spread from front to rear bar, thus increasing the versatility of what can be carried.  You’ll have 30” of spread and can carry a maximum of 100lbs.  You are a bit limited in that Yakima does not want any long items (over 10 feet) carried on the car.

Image of the all-new Trac Rac TracONE pickup truckbed ladder rack system, an economical, one-size-fits all solution for virtually all truck bed sizes.

Now available from the TracRac Truck Rack Company is the TracRac TracONE truck rack-ladder rack, a complete system that fits virtually all makes and models of pickup trucks from Chevy, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota etc. Essentially it is a more budget priced version of the TracRac T-Rac G2 model, as the TracONE delivers the same materials constuction, design and installation hardware but does not include some of the upgrades available on the T-Rac G2 such as ARC Side Cleat Tie-Downs, tool box mounting kit, overhead HD Load Stops etc. The TracRac TracONE  is a super-duty commercial work rack that can carry up to 800 lbs of cargo, yet the entire system weighs just 50 lbs. Built of premium aluminum with a double-powder coated finish for protection against corrosion as well as marks and scratches. The TracRac TracONE truck rack features superb styling that looks great on any pickup truck. Very easy to install and requires no drilling. Just use the included clamps to secure onto the pickup truckbed rails. Optional accessories also available for use with the system.

Picture of the all-new TracRac G2 truck rack system, America's original sliding truck rack system for pickup trucks. Includes new features.

Improving on the original TracRac sliding truck rack-ladder rack system, the 2nd generation version called the TracRac G2 sliding truck rack delivers all-new features and even more industrial strength. The TracRac G2 truck rack-ladder rack can now haul up to 1250 lbs on the 100% rust free super-duty aluminum cross bars. The total truck rack system only weighs 80 lbs. Now includes integrated ARC Side Cleats on each of the four upright towers, providing for more versatility with tie-down configurations. The included base rails provide a custom fit on virtually all pickup truck makes and models. Many TracRac truck rack  accessories are also available for use with the  Trac Rac G2 system, including TracRac tonneau cover that integrates with the Trac Rac G2 truck rack system; MDP cantilever extension that adds over 32″ of cab protection when hauling extra long loads; TracBox, a low-profile tool box for the pickup truckbed; cargo divider; tool box mount kit for using tool box brands other than TracRac; heavy-duty ratching tie-downs; kayak rack and more. The TracRac truck racks fit guide is a handy tool to determine Trac Rac G2 ladder-rack-truck rack compatibility and/or the correct model for your specific pickup truck year / make / model. Ideal for virtually all Chevy, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota pickup trucks and more. The TracRac truck rack company is owned by Thule Racks, as Thule recently purchased the TracRac company.

Q:  We have a 2008 Ford Taurus sedan, and will be taking a trip –two hockey bags will take up most of the in the trunk – need to be able to fit 2-3 suitcases worth of additional “stuff” in a roof bag any suggestions? I can’t seem to find the Thule rack that will fit our car.

A: The Thule 480R Roof Rack and Thule 480 Roof rack will both work with your 2008 Ford Taurus sedan.  The difference between the two is that the Thule 480R is simply just a more upscale looking ( brushed aluminum, aero shaped crossbar) version of the 480.  The Thule 867 Tahoe bag is a good recommendation for your suitcases as it has max capacity and weather-proofing.