Image of the 2012 Chariot CX 1 child carrier for use as a baby jogger-baby stroller, bike trailer, ski pulk and more when used with the Chariot CTS conversion kits.

Image of the 2012 Chariot CX 2 two-seat child carrier for use as a double baby jogger-double baby stroller, 2 child bike trailer, ski pulk and more when used with the Chariot CTS conversion kits.

Recently purchased by the Thule Group (parent company of Thule Racks), Chariot Carriers represent the pinnacle of premium, deluxe child, infant and baby transport solutions. Featuring the proprietary CTS (Child Transport System) conversion kits, each basic Chariot carrier (also called a chassis) can combine with any of the various CTS Conversion Kits to serve as a baby jogger, baby stroller, child bike trailer, ski pulk shuttle or hiking tow-behind trailer. The Chariot CX 1 child carrier and the Chariot CX 2 child carrier are the top-of-the-line models, delivering the utmost in luxurious comfort, efficiency and ease of use, as well as high-performance. The CX 1 and CX 2 models both work with all the Chariot Carriers CTS conversion kits – simply attach the CTS Strolling Kit for a single or double baby stroller; the CTS Jogging Kit for a single or double baby jogger; CTS Cycling Kit for a one or two child bike trailer; CTS Cross Country Ski Kit for a ski pulk to tow one or two children while nordic skiing or snowshoeing; CTS Hiking Kit for towing behind you the CX 1 or CX 2 while hiking with the family. Besides the conversion kits, many Chariot Carrier accessories are also available.

Image of the radical new ARB60 Thule AeroBlade load bars, the longest size crossbars (60 inches) in the new Thule Racks AeroBlade bars line up. Other sizes include the Thule ARB43 AeroBlade (43 inches), Thule ARB47 AeroBlade (47 inches), Thule ARB53 AeroBlade (53 inches).

The Thule AeroBlade bars are Thule Racks winning entry into the realm of aerofoil shape crossbars that eliminate all roof rack wind noise, humming and whistling.

All Thule AeroBlade load bars fit the entire line-up of Thule Rapid Foot Pack roof rack systems, including 450R Rapid CrossRoad, 480R Rapid Traverse, 460R Rapid Podium, 400XTR Rapid Aero and 430R Rapid Tracker.

Not to be outdone by Yakima’s recent release of the Whispbar Racks series of  ‘whisper quiet’ roof rack systems using wind-tunnel tested aerofoil shape crossbars, Thule Racks has just thrown their hat in the ring with the launch of the awesome Thule AeroBlade load bars. Available in four different sizes – Thule ARB60 AeroBlade load bars (60″ size), Thule ARB53 AeroBlade load bars (53″ size), Thule ARB47 AeroBlade load bars (47″ size) and Thule ARB43 AeroBlade load bars (43″ size) – these sizes are exactly the same lengths as the Thule Rapid Aero load bars. There is a very good reason for this, as Thule thoughfully designed the AeroBlades to replace the Rapid Aeros (which have been retired from production) and work on all the same Thule Rapid Foot Pack roof rack systems that the Rapid Aero crossbars worked on – including the 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack, 460R Rapid Podium Foot Pack, 450R Rapid CrossRoad Foot Pack, 430R Rapid Tracker Foot Pack and 400XTR Rapid Aero Foot Pack. This makes it very easy and economical for those that currently own a car rack system using the Rapid Aero cross bars to upgrade to the vastly superior AeroBlade load bars, as all that is required is to buy a pair of Aero Blade bars. They attach right to the Rapid Foot Packs for a seamless transition over to the incredible benefits and features of the AeroBlades. The result of laborious, rigorous testing under all conditions and wind-tunnel analytics, the Thule AeroBlade load bars deliver a sleek, fast aerofoil shape that eliminates the possibility of roof rack noise, humming or whistling. Furthermore, the superior aerodynamics actually work to noticeably reduce fuel costs compared to all other crossbars available on the market today. Nor is there ever a need to spend additional money to buy a wind fairing accessory that is normally used to try and lessen noise that often occurs with all other cross bars (though a fairing will never eliminate noise entirely). With technological advancements that include WindDiffuser Technology, SwingBlade Technology, BoxBeam Technology SmartSlide Technology and more (check out this thorough page resource of Thule AeroBlade load bars details and information), it is becoming more and more difficult to find valid reasons to use regular crossbars such as square and round bars. Especially since over the long run, the more expensive aerodynamic AeroBlades will actually pay for themselves over the long haul.

Image of the Thule 916XT T2 platform hitch bike rack for 2 inch trailer hitches. Also available is the Thule 917XT T2 bike hitch rack for 1.25 inch hitches.

Great news from the good folks at Thule Racks. They’ve just taken the most popular platform style hitch mount bike rack on the planet and made it even better! Now available are the Thule 916XT T2 platform hitch rack (fits 2″ trailer hitches) and the Thule 917XT T2 platform bike rack (fits 1-1/4″ receiver hitches), which replace the discontinued Thule 916 T2 and Thule 917 T2 models. All the fabulous features of the previous models are still included on the brand new 916XT T2 and 917XT T2, except now they also ship with a 2 pack of Thule locks, to lock the bikes to the bike carrier, and the Thule STL2 Snug-Tite lock for locking the T2 to the trailer hitch. No more having to fork over extra dinero just to keep crummy thieves from stealing your bicycles or the T2 itself. The SecureHook has also been redesigned to fit even more bike styles and sizes, from small bmx bikes and kid bikes with 20″ wheels on up to road bikes with skinny tires, any mountain bikes and even 29 inch 29er bike wheels and super-fat 3 inch tires found on freeride-downhill mountain bikes. If you want the fastest, easist loading hitch mount platform bike rack in the solar system, and now with all lock included, check out the new T2 models. Also available is the Thule 918XT T2 2 bike add-on for carrying an additional two bicycles on the 916XT T2 model.

Subaru Impreza roof ski rack system using Thule 450 Crossroads base rack system with Thule 91725 Universal Flat Top ski/snowboard carrier

All this Subaru needs now is a little bit of snow.  It is ready to go with a Thule 91725 Universal Flat Top ski/snowboard rack for carrying up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards.  The Thule 91725 ski rack is mounted to a Thule 450 Crossroads base rack system for raised factory side rails.  This Subaru Impreza was spied in October in Vermont so it won’t be long before this set up is put to good use.

A great way to boost the cargo capacity of a smaller car is with a cargo box.  This Toyota Matix is using a Thule Atlantis 1600 Cargo Box, which is the perfect size box for this vehicle.  You can see that because it isn’t too long, it won’t interfere with the opening of the rear hatch, yet it is wide enough to carry lots of gear.  The Thule Atlantis 1600 luggage rack is mounted to the Thule 400XT base rack system.

Audi A6 roof rack system for bike transport using Thule 460R Rapid Podium base rack system with Thule 594 Sidearm bike racks connected with Thule X-Adapt 9 adapters 

A fine automobile like this deserves a fine rack system like this.  Here we have the Thule 460R Rapid Podium base system which installs into the factory fixed mounting points of this Audi A6 wagon.  Mounted on top of the Rapid Aero Bars are two premium Thule 594 Sidearm bike racks held in place with Thule X-Adapt 9 adapters.  Clean and tight and alright.

Check out how nicely this Thule Atlantis 2100 cargo box nests into the Nissan X-Terra factory racks.  Althought the Nissan X-Terra factory crossbars are oversized, the QuickGrip mounting hardware of the Atlantis 2100 has no problem latching on.

Thanks to Capt. Bob for sending us this great picture of his 2010 Ford Transit van roof rack and luggage basket rack installation. The system includes the Thule 460 Podium roof rack (using the 3021 Fit Kits) and the Thule 690XT MOAB basket and 691XT MOAB basket extension.

Check out Capt. Bob’s customer installation of a 2010 Ford Transit Connect roof rack and cargo basket! This setup includes the Thule 460 Podium roof rack base system mounted to the fixed-points on the Ford Transit Connect van rooftop using the Thule 3021 Fit Kit brackets. The Thule 690XT MOAB basket and 691XT M.O.A.B. basket extension is connected to the 460 Podium base rack system load bars.

Thule 460 Podium roof rack system

Thule 690XT M.O.A.B. roof basket

2010 Ford Transit Connect roof rack installation page

Sweet customer installation of a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Sahara roof rack and rear spare tire mount bike rack.

An excellent demonstration of how nicely the Thule 387 Gutter High Foot roof rack system works as a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Sahara roof rack mounted to the Hard Top using the Thule 542 Artificial Raingutters. A kayak carrier is connected to the 387 roof rack cross bars. Also the Thule 963 Spare Me spare tire mount bike rack is mounted to the 2009 Jeep Wrangler Sahara spare tire.

Thule 387 Gutter High Foot roof rack system

Thule 542 Artificial Raingutters Brackets

Thule 963 Spare Me spare tire mount bike rack

2009 Jeep Wrangler Sahara roof rack installation page

2009 Nissan Versa Roof Rack for Hauling a Canoe

Q: I’m trying to figure out what components are needed for a 2009 Nissan Versa car rack for carrying a canoe. The 09 Nissa Versa doesn’t have any kind of rack on the car top right now, no side rails or anything. Do I need a roof rack on the cartop that I can then carry the canoe on? I want something very solid and sturdy that will prevent the canoe from shifting sideways or anything. I’ve used cheap canoe foam blocks and stuff and that is a total nightmare.

A: Yes, no matter what gear you plan to carry on your roof, you will need a multi-purpose roof rack base system. The Thule 400XT Aero roof rack base system is an excellent choice for your 2009 Nissan Versa.  The Thule 400XT Aero system includes four Thule 400XT Aero Feet, a set of four Thule 2183 Fit Kit Clips (the 2183 Fit Kit Clips are specific to your 09 Nissan Versa) and two load bars. You will attach the canoe carrier directly to the 400XT Aero front and rear cross bars. The 50 inch crossbars are the recommended length for your Nissan Versa rooftop.

You can then attach the Thule 579XT canoe rack directly to the Thule 400XT Aero base rack cross bars. Includes a pair of heavy-duty securing straps. Also includes a pair of Thule 885 Quick-Draw tie-down straps to fully secure the front and rear of the canoe for very safe and worry free canoe transport.