Q:  I’m looking for a roof rack for my 2010 GMC Acadia with factory side rails – the Yakima online fit guide has 2 fits – how do I know which one to choose?

A: You are right, the Yakima online fit guide shows a fit for 2007-2012 with Yakima RailGrab roof rack and 48” bars. It also has a fit for 2010-2012 with Yakima RailGrab and 58” bars.  There appears to be two different GMC Acadia side rail options starting in 2010. The main difference is that the rail bars that require  58” cross bars  is a slimmer bar with an open track on the top.  Have a look at the pictures below – you can compare to what you have and select the correct length crossbars for your 2010 GMC Acadia.

Image of GMC Acadia factory rails - this one would use Yakima Rail Grab and 48" Bars

GMC Acadia Factory Bars - Slimmer Bar with open track at the top - use Yakima Rail Grab and 58" Cross bars.

Check out this cool video that shows how to mount Thule ski racks (including 92726 Universal Pull Top, 92725 Universal Flat Top, 92724 Universal Flat Top, order model 91725, 91724, 91726 etc.) flush to the Thule AeroBlade load bars, all Whispbar roof rack cross bars, all TracRac truck racks, all Votex brand OEM car racks, Thule 422XT Xsporter truck rack cross bars and so forth (these cross bars all share the same feature, a T-slot channel running the entire length of each bar). Using the Thule Ski Rack Flush Mount Adapter Kit the conversion procedure is a quick process that simply removes the Thule SpeedLink Clamp Mounts using a wrench on the 92726, 92725 and 92724 ski-snowboard rack models. Then insert the included T-bolts into the two holes on the underside of each cradle arm and loosely tighten an included wing knob to the end of the T-bolt. Then just slide each cradle arm onto the T-slot channel of each cross bar and then tighten down fully. That’s it! For the older model ski carriers such as the 91726, 91725, 91724, instead of using a wrench you use a drill to simply drill out the rivets that are holding the upper clamp arms onto the underside of each ski carrier cradle arm. Then you follow the same process of inserting the T-bolts into the holes you drilled to remove the rivets. The result of a flush mount ski rack is a much more lower profile, premium looking set up.

view Thule Ski Racks Flush Mount Conversion Kit videos

ORS Racks Direct just announced the addition to their website an all-new Yakima Racks spare parts-replacement parts look-up and ordering tool for all Yakima parts. With the inclusion of this comprehensive application, customers now have multiple ways to navigate, search and purchase the specific Yakima spare parts needed for any particular Yakima product. With a complete catalog of all Yakima replacement parts for both current products as well as discontinued models, this combines the largest inventory with the most convenient method of obtaining Yakima parts needed for any Yakima Racks product.

Check out the Yakima parts look-up & order tool

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

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.

Q: I’m looking for a canoe rack that’s removeable, and I thought my selection of the The Yakima Q Tower half rack would fit the bil but was told it would not work..  I assume the problem is the shape of the roof on the cab.  I’d rather not do a permanent installation, although I’m not opposed to some drilling, as long as the front and rear racks are still removeable with minimal hassle.

A: Unfortunately the Nissan Frontier is a very difficult vehicle for us.  We can do a drill in system with only one bar above the roof to match up with the Outdoorsman you’ve selected, and in this case I’d recommend the Yakima Control Tower ½ Pack System or as a full system with two bars.

You could always run two Outdoorsman out of the bed, but this does tend to skew items to be carried toward the rear of the truck.

An alternative is the Sportrack ABR527 which will need to be strapped through the doors of the vehicle but provides an easy on-off mounting system for the cab of your truck.  We do not stock this item but can easily obtain it for you.

Q: Thanks for the suggestions.  I don’t think I’m interested in the Sportrack, since I’d prefer a hard bar over the cab.  Occasionally I wind up hauling lumber for small jobs, so I’m really looking for something that can do double duty and still be removable.

The Yakima Control Tower might work, but I’d like to see some schematics so I can understand exactly how it attaches.  You mentioned drilling, but the only photos I saw online showed mounting to a pre-existing roof track. Would I be drilling into the roof of the cab?  Anyway, some more details will help me know if it will work.

I have also considered going with two Outdoorsman (Outdoorsmen?) at the front and rear of the bed, but I’m hoping for a cab-mount rack to give me a longer capacity.  I’m hauling a 14-foot ABS canoe (and sometimes lumber).

Can you tell me if the TracRac TracOne Truck Rack will fit my 2006 Nissan Frontier?  I did the online Fit Guide and it came up TracRacG2, but I don’t want to spend that kind of money.  If you can tell me if the TracOne will work, that will help me make my decision.

A:  The TracRac TracOne will unfortunately not fit your Frontier, and it most likely is due to one of two reasons.  Either you have a bed mounted track system that gets in the way (many Nissans have an item called the Utilitrac attached to the inner edge of the bed) or the distance from the top of your bedrail to under the bedrail is too great for the TracOne clamps to reach.  I’m not sure which but in discussing this vehicle with TracRac, this is what I’ve learned.  The TracRac Sliding G2 System is a fit, and it mounts into the stake hole pockets so we know that will work, but as you mention it is a great deal of money.

I realize the problems you are encountering with a short bed truck as I too have one.  A single bar above the cab with something in the bed does usually answer all needs, and this is what I ended up doing.  I use one bar above the cab, but I did not have to drill into the truck to put one on.  If I was you, I would drill a permanent mount system into the truck cab (unfortunately I cannot tell you exactly where to drill) but we’ve had a lot of folks do so successfully and without issue.  Here is  picture of a Nissan Titan that one customer drilled in a track to have two bars on the roof:  Permanent Mount on Titan.  You would only need to drill four holes to mount a Landing Pad base, and then have the Control Tower rise out of that base, then you have forward support for your longer items!

This just in from the tech guys at Thule Racks!

Wondering what Thule fit kits should be used when attaching a Thule 480 Traverse to a 2012 Acura CSX or 2012 Honda Civic 4 Door?

These new 2012 model vehicles have the same frame, same sheet metal, etc as the previous model year range 2006-2011 – but in an attempt to be aesthetically up-to-date Acura/Honda has moved around the ditch molding on the roof (mostly on the Coupe), thus not affecting the fit but altering the measurements.

So…for a 2012 Acura CSX roof rack and 2012 Honda Civic 4-door roof rack you use the same Thule 1425 Fit Kit with the Thule 480 Traverse roof rack system that is used with 2006 -2011 car models but use different measurements (supplied below) / also the 2012 Honda Civic 2-door uses the same 1557 Kit with the 480 Traverse system, same as 2006 – 2011 model years but with different measurements

KIT 1425: 2012 ACURA CSX 4DR / 2012 HONDA CIVIC 4DR
Front Bar (left to right): 42 3/4
Rear Bar (left to right): 40 1/2
Top of Windshield to front of front foot: 10 5/8
Barspred: 27 ½

KIT 1557: 2012 HONDA CIVIC 2 DR
Front Bar (left to right): 42 1/4
Rear Bar (left to right): 41 1/2
Top of Windshield to front of front foot: 5 1/2
SRA: 13 3/4
Barspred: 27 1/2

New TracRac fit guide available.

Coinciding with the recent release of the complete new product line of TracRac truck rack, van rack and utility rack systems (featuring the TracRac G2 truck rack, T-Rac G2 truck rack, TracONE truck rack, CabRac, CapRac (for toppers, caps & camper shells), TracVan van rack and TracRac Utility Rack for utility vehicles), ORS Racks Direct has launched a comprehensive Trac Racs fit guide that allows the user to select vehicle type (pickup truck, van or utility vehicle), year, make of vehicle and model. Once these steps are finished the user is immediately presented with the complete list of TracRac truck rack, utility rack and van rack oprions that are compatible with the specific vehicle selected.

Related press releases included for complete details and information:

PRWeb: ORS Racks Direct Develops Trac Rac Truck Fit Guide

PRLeap: ORS Racks Direct Announces Release of TracRac Truck Rack Fit Guide

24-7 PressRelease: ORS Racks Direct Launches Exclusive TracRac Truck Rack Fit Guide

Q: I am researching an appropriate rack for my 1998 Mitsubishi Monterro Sport with a factory rack.  I am looking to mount 3 kayaks, typically 16″ or shorter, all plastic sea kayaks.  Is the 830 Thule Stacker a good choice, or is there something better?  I noticed some stopper guards to keep the kayaks upright when mounting are in order as well.  Any recommendations are welcome.

A: A kayak stacker, such as the Thule 830 Stacker, will do the job, and may be your only option for use on your factory bars, since the bars most likely aren’t long enough to accommodate three individual kayak carriers, such as the Thule 835Pro Hullaports.  Depending on the weight of the kayaks, you may be exceeding the maximum weight limit of your factory bars, so you’d want to check with your vehicle’s owner manual to make sure.

As far as a stacker, we generally recommend those for smaller boats, such as whitewater boats.  With bigger boats, a stacker makes for more difficult loading due to the fact that you need to hold the boat up against the upright while you strap it down.  The Inno 451 cradles certainly help to hold the boat upright, but in general, the stacker design is the least supportive type of kayak carrier, so not the best choice for larger boats.

If you like the idea of individual carriers more like the 835s, you could install a new base rack system, which for your vehicle is the 460 Podium System.  It will attach to the tracks on your roof and will provide a 110 LB weight limit.  You could choose one size longer bar length (58”) than what is recommended (50”) and you should be able to mount three individual carriers.

Q: I have a 2007 Ford Focus wagon with factory roof rails and crossbars.  What would I need in order to haul two kayaks?  I have an Ocean Kayak Malibu 2XL, 13.4 feet long, 34” wide and weighs 61 pounds, and a Heritage Redfish 12, 12’3” long and 30” wide, 55 pounds.

A: Although your Ford Focus has factory crossbars, they are not designed to carry that much weight.  To properly carry your kayaks, you will need a new base rack system.  The Thule 450 Crossroads base rack system attaches to your side rails and can support up to 165 lbs.  Once that is installed, I would recommend two sets of the Thule 835XTR Hull-a-Port Pro kayak racks to carry your boats.