Roof Rack Systems are ideal for anyone looking to add extra cargo space on the top of their vehicle. Cargo racks can be used to mount longer objects and items that may not fit inside the vehicle, and they can also be used to mount other accessories like cargo boxes, bags or baskets, bike or ski and snowboard mounts, and more.
A roof rack system consists of load bars/crossbars and feet/towers. The feet (also known as towers) attach the top of the vehicle and are used to hold and support the load bars (also know as crossbars). Most often a roof rack system will consist of 4 feet and two crossbars, which run across the roof of the car.
Every installation is slightly different, depending on the hardware purchased, but most systems are made to install quickly and easily. It is a good idea to buy the same brand of feet and crossbars to be sure the components are compatible.
In this article, I will outline the different systems within each brand. Roof Rack Systems are designed to be built according to your needs, so you can get specific towers that will work with your vehicle.
Yakima Roof Rack Systems
Yakima Rail Grab Towers
Yakima RailGrab Towers are ideal for vehicles with a raised or flush roof and install easily with a clamp-in design and are compatible with Yakima Crossbars.
Yakima Control Towers
Yakima Control Towers are designed to create a solid engagement for vehicles with factory racks, mounting points or permanent installations. These are quick and easy to use and they're compatible with Yakima Crossbars.
Yakima Q Towers
Yakima Q Towers can accommodate for a vehicle with a naked roof. They are designed to turn the top of your vehicle into a useful place for hailing cargo, even if no previous racks or mounting spots are available. These towers are compatible to Yakima Crossbars and most round load bars.
Yakima 1A RainGutter Towers
Yakima 1A RainGutter Towers connect easily without the need of any tools to the rain gutters of your vehicle. This works on vehicles with rain gutters as a permanent installation and is compatible with Yakima Crossbars and most round load bars.
Other accessories are also available for Yakima Roof Rack Systems, such as the Yakima BedRock Truck Bed Towers, which allow you to install a Yakima rack onto your truck bed. These towers are also compatible with Yakima Crossbars.
If your vehicle roof is too slanted or small for a standard roof rack system, you can still install a system with the accompaniment of Yakima Tracks, which provide a permanent roof rack installation solution.
Thule Roof Rack Systems
Thule Rack Systems are very similar to Yakima systems, although there are some slight variations, such as the AeroBlade Edge, which comes with both the load bar and feet as one unit.
Thule AeroBlade Edge
This unit connects to factory rails, or with an adapter kit, and can be used as a permanent mount on any vehicle. The AeroBlade Edge is one of the strongest and lightest roof rack systems available.
Thule Rapid Series
The Rapid series feet made by Thule are compatible with Thule AeroBlade Load Bars only. These load bars are very well designed for strength and aerodynamics, and require Thule Rapid feet for installation.
Thule Rapid Traverse Feet
Rapid Traverse Feet provide a strong hold and safe fit. They are designed for a quick and easy installation and they are only compatible with Rapid Aero and AeroBlade Load Bars.
Thule Rapid Crossroad Feet
Rapid Crossroad Feet are used to convert an existing factory rack into a full-featured Thule Roof Rack System. They have built in tools for installation, and are compatible with Thule AeroBlade Load Bars only.
Thule Rapid Podium Feet
The Rapid Podium Feet feature a sleek, low-profile look for vehicles with integrated, fixed point, flush mount rail, t-track or custom install attachment. They provide a seamless factory appearance and are only compatible with Thule AeroBade Edge Loadbars
Standard Thule Roof Rack Systems
Standard Thule Roof Rack systems are compatible with Thule Square Load Bars and most other square load bars. They are very similar in style, but more compatible with standard hardware.
Thule Crossroad Feet
Thule Crossroad Feet let you convert an existing factory rack with raised side rails on your vehicle into a full-featured Thule Roof Rack System. These feet are compatible with Thule Square Load Bars, and allow you to maximize the cargo hauling potential of your vehicle.
Thule Gutter Feet
Thule Gutter Feet install onto vehicles with rain gutters as a permanent solution for Thule Roof Rack Systems. Thule Gutter Feet are compatible with Thule Square Crossbars, and increase the versatility of Thule racks by allowing you to mount them to an otherwise unusable surface.
Thule Podium Feet
Thule Podium Feet let you add a full-featured Thule Roof Rack System to any vehicle with an integrated fix point, flush mount rail, t-truck or as a custom installation. It works with Thule Square Crossbars to provide a seamless factory rack appearance.
For vehicles with slanted or small roofs, Thule offers the Traverse Short Roof Adapter, which creates a base, enabling the installation of Thule Roof Rack Systems.
Auto Truck Depot
107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta
Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330
Local: 1-403-253-4330
info@autotruckdepot.ca