Thule or Yakima? Please post your pics

[mthomas58]

Preliminarily planning an end-of-summer road trip from Atlanta to Key West with the wife and will stop to visit family in Tampa and Jupiter.

I've got no room in the trunk after adding a sub box so I'm thinking about getting a roof mounted luggage carrier for the trip and I'm looking for recommendations. (coupe w/sunroof)

Thule? Yakima? Other? Box recommendations? Yes or No the the faring pkg?

Anyone got any pics?

Thanks!

[rallyracer]

here's a pic of my Yakima bike rack. you just need an old gutter mounted rack, then buy the basket. the faring helps a bit with noise, but i don't use it cuz of install/removal time.

http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/webtesting/911_rack2.jpg


David

[FastCarFan]

I haven't used a rack on my 911, but I have been very pleased for many years with my Yakima roof bike & ski racks. In general, they are of high quality & very well engineered.

I have not used a Thule, but they appear to be high quality, too, & I have friends who have been happy with them.

[mtnfir]

I would definately recommend Yakima. They have round bars which allow for much more flexability (acessory wise) and seem to be stronger. The thule racks that I have are fine, however the accessories stink. I got so frustrated with them that I rigged yaks to fit my thule racks. Getting aftermarket stuff for yaks is easier too.

[arerrac]

Yakima here!

[rs6er]

One advantage of Yakima over Thule on a 911 Coupe: If you use a short-legged (armed?) gutter mount crossbar in the front and a long-legged gutter mount cossbar in the back (in order to spread the load but keep it relatively parallel to the ground, the round crossbars are an advantage over the rectangular ones. Forgive the sloppy work, (I should have drawn the front ones shorter) but you get the idea:

[Racerbvd]

I have Yakima

[rs6er]

That's what I was trying to draw.

[bkreigsr]

recommend the Yakima system. I used it on my 73 back and forth to Watkins Glen when the boys were growing up and we used to camp for the weekend. (dad, 2 boys, canvas 10x10 tent, sleeping bags, mattresses, 2 bmx's, stove and kitchen stuff, plus suitcases/backpacks, helmet, tools and the all the normal DE stuff.)
never bent the gutters.
air flow to the ducktail is somewhat restricted and the car will run 10-15 degrees hotter.
the open basket they sell is very good.
can attest to the system's road worthy-ness upwards of 85-90 mph.
Bill K

[mcvgums]

I have a Thule, but either will work. I had a great experience with the guys in Woodstock at Rack & Roll. All they sell is roof racks and they are very knowlegable and will answer any questions. They also can fit almost any accessory on any system. I am not affiliated, just a satisfied customer, 15 minutes from my house in Atlanta.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I have been thinking of a rack from taking my road bike with me. A relate question that worries me because my paint is (fairly) pristine.

Trying not to be a worrywart, but is there much danger that tightening down those gutter mounts on a repainted car will lift the paint when they're removed if they're left on there long term or if removed after the weather has been very hot?

[TheMentat]

my recallection is that the Yakima's don't assume that the gutters on the Porsche are parallel. They have a "twist adjustment" that allows them to fit the curves of the 911.

[bkreigsr]

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
I have been thinking of a rack from taking my road bike with me. A relate question that worries me because my paint is (fairly) pristine.

Trying not to be a worrywart, but is there much danger that tightening down those gutter mounts on a repainted car will lift the paint when they're removed if they're left on there long term or if removed after the weather has been very hot?

Dan, the Yakima comes with little rubber booties for the tower feet, and you can vary the tension to get the best fit with the least amount of pressure.

[}{arlequin]

+1 for round bars. in addition... the racks that mount onto early 80's vw's (rabbits), will also mount onto 911s. same gutters

[PRE-H20]

get a explorer/blazer/yukon........

alot more room, dont worry about paint, rack doesnt look out of place.

more room for wife, kids, etc etc

[}{arlequin]

Originally posted by PRE-H20
get a explorer/blazer/yukon........

alot more room, dont worry about paint, rack doesnt look out of place.

more room for wife, kids, etc etc

where's the fun in that... besides, if you live in an apt in the city w/ one parking space...

[PRE-H20]

fair enough

[emf1600]

Originally posted by }{arlequin
where's the fun in that... besides, if you live in an apt in the city w/ one parking space...

Plus, you don't get all kind of weird looks pulling up to the trailhead or the criterium races with a pair of bikes on the roof with an SUV. I've met more than a few girls with the 911 and my bicycle on the rack...it's a great conversation starter.

[BrokeMyCar]

Just had my locked Yakimas stolen last night. In the dark I can't tell for certain if the gutters are straight or bent, but they certainly are scratched up on one side. Another thing to consider.

[aadrew10]

I looked at Yakimas and Thules the other day. I like how the Thules press the gutter latch into the car, rather than pulling them straight up. I'm not sure it's warranted, but when looking at the Yakimas, I was concerned the latches might slip off the bottom of the rain gutters. (the yakima I looked at has the hooks made of flimsy sheet metal, so they bent easily.) This is impossible with the Thule design.

Both adjust to the curves of the gutters. In my opinion, my car looks badass carrying mountain bikes, surfboards, or skis. Can't get any cooler than that.

Use some of that toolbox liner material to keep your paint scratch free.

BrokeMyCar: I've had my Thule rack parked out front this whole week in Alameda visiting my parents. I think I'll bring it in tonight... How did they get past the locks? The Thule locks seem legitimate.