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.

Picture of the TracRac CapRac truck cap rack - tonneau cover rack system, a versatile professional grade work rack for pickup truckbed camper shells, caps, toppers and fiberglass tonneau covers. Also serves as an excellent truck rack for carrying sports gear and equipment.

Now owned by the Thule Group, parent company of Thule Racks, the TracRac Truck Rack Company is uniquely situated to dominate the commercial work rack market even further. With the backing of Thule Racks engineers, product developers and efficient production and manufacturing systems in the United States, Trac Rac Truck Racks is upgrading and improving their entire product line with even more features and benefits. Witness the release of the TracRac CapRac truck cap rack system, specifically designed for permanently mounting to any pickup truck bed camper shell, topper or cap (alse serves as an excellent fiberglass tonneau cover rack). The TracRac CapRac now uses a very innovative swivel bracket mounting design for a universally perfect fit on virtually all styles and designs of pickup truck caps, camper shells, toppers and fiberglass tonneau covers. All the fastener hardware is also hidden, delivering a very impressive clean and finished look. The included gaskets also ensure the TracRac CapRac truck rack remains 100% waterproof at all times. Also includes a full set of Load Stops that serve as the perfect tie-downs to secure and stabilize a wide variety of gear and equipment such as ladders, lumber and plywood, conduit and piping etc. The premium, universal  Trac Rac cross bars also serve double time for leisure and recreational sport activities. Go ahead and mount a wide selection of roof baskets, cargo boxes, bike racks, kayak racks, canoe carriers, stand-up paddleboard and surfboard racks, ski and snowboard carriers etc.

Q: I’m hoping you can help me out, I’m looking to order a Thule 430 rack to mount to the bed cover for my Tacoma. With this, I have a few question I hope you can help me with.

A: We’ve had folks use 430 System on hard covers, so what you are doing is not unusual, but make sure you can still remove/fold you cover if you mount a track to it. An alternative is available, you could use the through bolt TK13 as a point load and avoid using a track.

Q: For flexibility, I was thinking of mounting the TB60 on the bed. In listening to your video online about the TB60, you mentioned cutting the rails which I think I’ll need to do. Would it be possible for you to cut the rails for me? I can cut it if needed but figure you have better tools to get a cleaner cut. I do understand that this will void the warranty or capabilities to return it.

A: We could indeed cut, but they are pretty easy to go through with a hack saw (which is what we use), so I’d say you’d be better served by getting them and custom fitting to your truck yourself.

Q: I’m trying to decide on what bike rack to use, it is between the Echelon for a fork mount or the Side Arm for tire mount. I’d rather keep the tire on but concerned about the overall length along with lateral stress on the bed cover. I only have about 63 inches of usable space on the bed cover and I run 29er MTBs which is longer (front tire to back tire) then that. I don’t mind the bike hanging a little over the end of the bed but do not want the rack over it. The Echelon will definitely fit fine but was wondering how long is the SideArm rack. I could not find the spec anywhere. Also, how long from the front of the rack (the track) back to the bar mounting point is it? Thinking I can mount the rack backwards, handle bars towards the back, so to give the locking arm room rather then it being restricted by the cab.

A: The SideArm tray is 54” long, but you can move the mounting hardware on it, so that makes attachment points adjustable. So I see no reason to not go with the Sidearm given that you seem to desire to keep the front wheels on!

Q: I’m also looking at the Aero bar version, with the right Xadapter, can you mount other manufacture bike racks (primarily Yakima) to the Aero bars or would you need to use adapter from Yakima to mount to those bars?

A: Personally I’d avoid the Rapid version of Thule for this application as the rapid bars have a limited length slot in the bottom of the bar, to which the footing mounts. This makes it hard to custom fit and pick the right bar length, and other than that many Yakima carriers will not be adapter without substantial modifications.

I’m also looking at the Aero bar version, with the right Xadapter, can you mount other manufacture bike racks (primarily Yakima) to the Aero bars or would you need to use adapter from Yakima to mount to those bars?

Picture of the all-new Thule 3113 Podium Fit Kit which replaces the discontinued Thule TK13 Tracker Kit (as the 430 / 430R Tracker II systems are discontinued and are replaced by the 460 / 460R Podium roof racks for applications such as permanent install racks, fixed-point racks, roof track racks, flush side rail racks, factory roof track racks etc.) The Thule 3113 Fit Kit is for drilling and permanently installing a roof rack on fiberglass surfaces such Jeep Hard Top, camper shell, tonneau cover etc .)

Photo of the Thule 3114 Podium Fit Kit which replaces the discontinued TK14 Tracker Kit and is for drilling and permanently installing a roof rack on any pickup truck,van and car metal rooftop surfaces etc.

Thule Racks has completely overhauled the popular Thule 460 Podium Foot Pack and 460R Rapid Podium Foot Pack and included many more Podium Fit Kits (previously the 460 / 460R Podium was only compatible with vehicle rooftop fixed-points) and now works on factory rack flush side rails, factory rack tracks and all Thule Tracks, as well as applications for permanently installing a roof rack on fiberglass surfaces and sheet metal surfaces. Hence, the Podium system now replaces the discontinued Thule 430 Tracker II Foot Pack / 430R Tracker II Foot Pack and all TK Tracker Kits. The Thule 3113 Podium Fit Kit replaces the TK13 Tracker Kit and is for drilling and installing a permanent roof rack on any fiberglass surfaces (applications include pickup truck camper shell, topper & truckbed cap roof racks, tonneau cover racks, Jeep Wrangler Hard Top roof racks etc.) Likewise, the Thule 3114 Podium Fit Kit replaces the TK14 Tracker Kit and is for drilling and installing a permanent roof rack on any sheet metal surfaces such as pickup truck, car and van metal rooftops etc.

Picture of the Thule 3101 Fit kit now available from Thule Racks. Replaces the discontinued Thule TK1 Tracker Kit. The 3101 Podium Fit Kit is for use with any Thule Tracks and many factory rack tracks.

Thule Racks has just released the all-new Thule 3101 Podium Fit Kit, part of the new series of Podium Fit Kits that replace the discontinued Thule TK1 Tracker Kits as the Thule 430 Tracker II roof rack system begins to fade from the Thule Racks product line up. Now the Thule 460 Podium Foot Pack and Thule 460R Rapid Podium Foot Pack can be used on more roof rack applications besides mounting to fixed-points on vehicle roof tops. With the release of the Thule 3101 Fit Kit you can now use the 460 / 460R Podium systems on any permanent mounting Thule Tracks (TB60, TP54, TP42 etc.) as well as a large number of factory rack tracks found on certain vehicles. In fact, Thule has created a Podium Fit Kit to replace each TK Tracker Kit – the 3101 Podium Fit Kit replaces the TK1 Tracker Kit, 3102 replaces TK2, 3103 replaces TK3, 3104 replaces TK4, 3105 replaces TK5, 3106 replaces TK6, 3107 replaces TK7, 3108 replaces TK8, 3109 replaces TK9, 3110 replaces TK10, 3111 replaces TK11, 3112 replaces TK12, 3113 replaces TK13 and 3114 replaces TK14.  The Thule 460 Podium and Thule 460R Rapid Podium can now also be used on vehicles with flush side rails.

Toyota Tacoma tonneau cover bike rack system using Yakima 60" tracks and the Yakima Control Tower base rack system with two sets of # 1 Landing Pads. System has a four bike capacity using two Yakima Copperhead bike racks and two Yakima Steelhead bike racks.

Great shot right here of a 2010 Toyota Tacoma tonneau cover bike rack system starting out with a set of Yakima 60″ tracks that are permanently installed onto the tonneau cover.  The Yakima Control Tower base system with two sets of Yakima Landing Pads #1 integrates into the tracks.  Four bikes can be carried using two Yakima Copperhead bike racks and two Yakima Steelhead bike racks.  For total security for the rack system and the four bike racks, the Yakima SKS 8 pack of locks will lock every component with just one key.

More info and installation details for 2010 Tacoma bike rack system for tonneau cover.

Straight on shot of a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 bike rack for fiberglass topper using the Thule 430 Tracker II base system with TK13 Tracker Kit and the Thule 517 Peloton fork mount bike rack.

Here is a great shot of a job well done.  This 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 tonneau cover bike rack system uses the Thule 430 Tracker II base rack with the TK13 Tracker Kit for permanent mounting to fiberglass.  Remember: measure twice, drill once–not the other way around!  The bike rack is a Thule 517 Peloton bike rack. 

Installation page and lots of great photos for 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 bike rack for tonno cover.

t

Photo of tonneau cover bike rack for 2010 Chevy Avalanche pickup truck includes Yakima Q towers base rack system with Yakima Q30 Q-Clips and 3 Yakima Raptor Bike racks.

This 2010 Chevy Avalanche truck bed cover bike rack holds 3 bicycles securely on top of the tonneau cover. The pickup truck bike rack set up includes the Yakima Q Tower base rack system and Yakima Q30 Q-Clips which secure the truck bed bike rack securely to the truck bed cover. Three Yakima Raptor bike racks connect to the 2010 Chevy Avalanche truck bed rack making it safe and easy to transport bicycles with a pickup truck.

Photo of 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 bike rack for Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit Tonneau and Explorer rails. The tonneau Bike rack setup is comprised of Thule 430 Tracker II base rack system with TK1 Tracker kit and 3 upright mount bike racks.

This 2009 Chevy Silverado tonneau cover rack for bikes is a simple solution for what at first appears to be a highly customized pickup truck tonneau bike rack set up.  The Thule 430 Tracker II Base rack system with the Thule  TK1 Tracker Kit snaps right onto the rails of the Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit Tonneau with Explorer rails.  The addition of 3 upright mount bike racks completes this Chevy Silverado bike rack solution.

More details on jack rabbit tonneau bike rack for 2009 Chevy Siverado…

Clean shot of a GMC Sierra tonneau cover bike rack system using Yakima Control Tower base rack with Yakima LP1 Landing Pads installed into Yakima 60" tracks. Bikes are held in place using Yakima Sprocket Rocket bike racks.

Nice job.  This GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 4 x 4 tonno cover bike rack system looks clean and mean.  Installed on the GMC Sierra tonneau cover is a set of Yakima 60″ tracks, which can be shortened to desired length with a good old hack saw.  Installed into the Yakima 60- inch tracks is the Yakima Control Tower Complete roof rack with two sets of Yakima Landing Pad 1 (LP1).  Carrying that nice Ibis road bike and that sweet Kona mountain bike are two Yakima Sprocket Rocket bike racks.  For security the Yakima SKS 6 pack of locks did the trick (4 locks for the Yakima Control Towers and 2 locks for the two Yakima Sprocket Rocket  bike racks).  Again, nice job. 

Installation page for complete Yakima bike rack/60″ track system details for GMC Sierra bike rack tonneau cover system.