Thule Vs. Yakime: Which is Better?

Whether you're looking for a roof rack, ski or snowboard carrier, cargo box, or any other vehicle cargo solution, you may be split between choosing one of two dominant brands: Thule and Yakima. The most common question from those looking to suit up their vehicle with a rack system is, what's better of the two, Thule or Yakima? There's a good chance you've asked the same question, considering you're reading this blog.

I'm going to cut to the chase and tell you straight up that there's no real answer to this question. Both Thule and Yakima make exceptional products that are very similar to each other, and within the same price range. Whether you need a roof rack system, or are looking to retrofit your existing rack to carry more, both companies make loads of products suited to all your needs. Both Thule and Yakima offer rack systems for biking, kayaking, skiing, and both offer a wide range of cargo boxes suitable for any adventure.

So, how should you form your decision? The deciding factor is sometimes based on compatibility. Some vehicles are more compatible with one company's racks over another, which would make the decision easy. Style may also be a factor if you like the look of one rack and its available accessories over another. 

Whatever you choose, we recommend sticking to that brand as you add more accessories such as cargo boxes and water sport carriers. Although this isn't always necessary, it ensures that all your products will be compatible with one another and lets you secure all your gear with a one key lock system, rather than having to have multiple keys to try and secure your belongings.

Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll love it! Find a rack suited to your vehicle so you can begin your long anticipated adventure.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter With Yakima

Get ready for your mountain adventures with cargo management solutions from Yakima. Whether you plan to ski, snowboard, camp or travel, Yakima has products to help you out, and this article will help you decide which product is right for you.

Cargo Boxes

Yakima cargo boxes are a great addition to any vehicle. The Yakima SkyBox and RocketBox series are secure, convenient, and well built. Yakima cargo boxes are great for any season, and especially useful for those taking routine trips out to the mountains to ski or snowboard.

The RocketBox Pro 11 has a long, narrow design that is ideal for anyone planning to carry skis or snowboards, while the RocketBox Pro 14 is built wider, and may not fit longer skis. To get a better idea of what each kind of Yakima cargo box will be able to carry, here is a useful diagram of each cargo box and its dimensions.

Ski & Snowboard Mounts

If your main priority this winter is to ski or snowboard, maybe a ski or snowboard mount is all you need. These useful devices connect to any existing roof rack system to make transporting skis and boards as easy as possible. 

The Big PowderHound let you carry up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards on the top of your vehicle. This mount is fully lockable, so your gear will remain secure.

The FatCat 4 is a little smaller, allowing you to transport up to 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards, or if you would rather use your hitch to carry your gear, the HitchSki can carry up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards on the back of your vehicle.

Check out more similar products here to help you get out to the mountains this season. 

Utilizing Your Small Vehicle for Big Adventures

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Carry a Little More With Thule and Yakima

It doesn't matter what type of adventure seeker you are, Auto Truck Depot has everything you need to make the most out of your journey. Whether you are looking to head out to the mountains to ski or snowboard, go on an epic mountain bike ride, escape city life to go camping, or are just wanting to head out of town to escape your daily routine, we are here to help.

Cargo Boxes are one of the most convenient storage solutions for any type of vehicle. These boxes simply attach to an existing roof rack to provide additional cargo space on top of your vehicle. There are various styles, shapes and sizes, so you can find exactly what you need.

 

The Yakima RocketBox and SkyBox series are a great choice for anyone looking to expand the cargo space of their vehicle. The SkyBox 16 is one of our top-selling cargo boxes and provides enough cargo space for up to 3 people. It has a sleek, aerodynamic design to reduce wind drag, it is completely secure, durable, and it opens from both sides for even more convenience. If this isn't enough space, the SkyBox 21 provides up to 21 cubit feet of storage space. The SkyBox 21 is perfect for large family adventures with enough space to hold everyone's belongings.

Take a look at our large selection of Cargo Boxes to find one that's perfect for you!

If you plan on going out on an epic ski or snowboard adventure, you might want look at a ski or snowboard mount. The Thule SnowPack 4 easily holds up to 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards on top of your vehicle, and the new smart vertical spring system adjusts for various ski thickness. The SnowPack 4 is completely secure, with a one-lock key system, and if you need space for more boards, the SnowPack 6 holds up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. There are also various ski and snowboard hitch racks available if you are unable to utilize the cargo space on top of your vehicle, such as the Thule Tram Ski & Snowboard Carrier, which connects to a 2" receiver hitch.

If biking is your thrill, we have a large selection of bike racks and mounts that are just for you! It doesn't matter if you drive a small car, van, SUV or even an RV--there are numerous options to suite your very specific need. 

The Swagman Trailhead 2 - 2 Bike Two Arm Rack transports up to 2 bikes and includes new anti-sway cradles to prevent bike-to-bike contact. The arms easily fold away and the rack folds down to allow access to the rear of your vehicle and save space. This rack easily attaches to any existing 2" hitch receiver, and if a two bike rack isn't enough, take a look at the Trailhead 4, which can carry up to 4 bikes! Check out this short video for more details about the Trailhead 4.

Check out our selection of bike racks and mounts to find one that's perfect for you!

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Utilizing Your Small Vehicle for Big Adventures

Having a small vehicle doesn’t mean you can’t prepare it for big adventures. There are many ways to utilize and enhance your vehicle’s cargo space. Whether you are operating a hitch or taking advantage of your roof space, the Auto Truck Depot has many options to help you out.

One of the primary methods used to gain more space in a small vehicle is with a roof rack, like the Thule Traverse. A roof rack usually consists of two crossbars that run across the top of the car. The crossbars are held in place by feet, which are connected to each corner of the roof, usually in the door’s frames. The crossbars sit a few inches above the vehicle and provide space for objects to be placed without scratching or damaging its surface. Large objects such as boats or ladders can be placed across the roof, and the crossbars provide an anchoring point for objects to be strapped down to.

 

There are many accessories available to enhance the storage capabilities of your roof rack even further, such as the Yakima Loadwarrior. The loadwarrior cargo basket helps secure items for transport on top of the roof and out of the interior of your vehicle, allowing more space and comfort while driving from place to place.  The open air platform allows easy access to tie down materials and gives you added flexibility with items that wouldn’t normally fit in an enclosed compartment. The large steel constructed frame fits on top of most vehicles and has custom wind fairing for extra noise reduction. The universal attachment system fits most round and square factory crossbars. The accessory bars act as crossbars for gear specific racks and give you added security when transporting more expensive and personal items. It was developed with on-the-go type people in mind, allowing a quick and easy load that maximizes the utility of your car.

If more security and protection for your cargo is necessary, the Yakima cargo carriers, SkyBox or RocketBox series may be a better option yet. These boxes are like an extra trunk for you roof, and they simply attach to your existing roof rack to expand your vehicles storage space. They come in various sizes for your specific needs, and you can be sure your gear is safe with its solid carbonite design and push-button, locking security features.

Another option, especially useful if you plan on carrying bikes, is to increase your vehicles carrying capabilities with a hitch. Even if your vehicle is too small to pull a trailer, you can still utilize this feature to carry bikes, cargo racks, and more. And better yet, you can use this feature along with a roof rack to turn your vehicle into a cargo-hauling beast. There are so many ways to utilize your small vehicle for those big adventures, and the Auto Truck Depot is here to help.