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

10 Ways to Improve Vehicle Storage Space

1. Tonneau Cover

A tonneau cover can turn the truck bed of your pickup truck into a safe and secure place to store your extra cargo. As well as letting you lock your truck bed, most tonneau covers are also weather resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your belongings being subject to moisture damage. There are various styles, such as Roll-Up, Tri-Fold, Retractable and Hard tonneau covers, so you can be sure to find one suited to your lifestyle and specific requirements.

2. Cargo Box

Cargo boxes mount on top of roof racks to provide additional cargo space on top of your vehicle. Cargo boxes work with any kind of vehicle, but are especially useful for small cars that don’t offer a lot of space. The solid construction and integrated lock systems ensure that your items remain safe and secure inside your cargo box at all times, so you never have to worry.

3. Roof Rack

Roof racks consist of cross bars, which are held on top of the vehicle by feet or towers to provide a base for carrying large or oversized items. Roof racks are suitable for any type of vehicle of any size, and they provide a foundation for additional carriers and mounts.

4. Cargo Basket

Cargo Baskets can help you secure items for transport on top of your vehicle. The open platform provides easy access to tie down your cargo, and added flexibility with items that wouldn’t normally fit inside your vehicle. They mount to roof rack systems to keep them elevated to prevent damage to your roof.

5. Bike Rack

Bikes can be hard to transport, especially if you don’t have a truck bed to carry them in. Luckily there are many types of hitch or roof mount bike racks available to help you take your bikes on any adventure. Hitch mount bike racks attach to your hitch to carry bikes on the back of your vehicle. There are also roof mounts available to carry bikes on top of your car. If you are looking to carry your bikes on your RV, products like the RV Bike Ladder rack provide an excellent solution that let you carry bikes on your RV ladder. There are many types of bike racks and mounts available for any type of vehicle, and some models can even carry up to 5 bikes securely. 

6. Cargo Bag

Cargo bags provide a reliable and compact storage solution for the top of your vehicle. Most cargo bags are designed to be durable and water tight, so you don’t have to worry about your belongings during transport. These bags simply attach to your roof rack to provide additional storage, and when not in use, they fold up nicely and take up little space.

7. Water Sport Carrier

If you love spending time in the water, there are various solutions to help you transport your kayak, paddleboard or canoe that are compatible with any size vehicle. These mounting systems attach to the roof of your vehicle to provide a sturdy and secure mount to get your gear to the water.

8. Truck Bed Storage Case

There are various products available to help you utilize your truck bed space. The DU-HA Humpstor truck bed storage case and UnderCover SwingCase provide secure storage without taking up your entire bed. These products are designed to make use of the space above and around the wheel wells, which are normally not used.

9. Truck Bed Tool Box

Tool boxes fit in your truck bed to provide secure, reliable and water tight storage for tools, equipment, and other gear. Tool boxes are suited for anyone needing to transport equipment on the job, or those just looking for a secure and handy truck bed storage solution.

10. Cargo Restraint System

Cargo restraint systems like the BedNet and Thule Stretch Cargo Net are designed to help you safely secure awkward and oversized loads. These products feature webbing with hooks that goes over your cargo to protect and secure it during transport.

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.