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View Poll Results: Which do you prefer?
Thule 23 38.33%
Yakima 37 61.67%
Voters: 60. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 07-02-2010, 12:17 AM   #1
The Database
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OMGHi2U Thule vs. Yakima

Which do you guys like more for roof racks? I got two kyaks that I need to haul around on the roof of my 2008 WRX.
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Old 07-02-2010, 12:19 AM   #2
XanRules
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Yakima, just because I don't like the word "Thule."

Otherwise I can't tell the difference as far as function goes.
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Old 07-02-2010, 01:14 AM   #3
Web Foot STi
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I bought Yakima when they were made in Yakima WA. To big of an investment to change now.
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Old 07-02-2010, 01:27 AM   #4
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just buy the factory rack.

you can put it on and off in about 2 mins, and it's dirt cheap.

you can get used ones for around 100-150. try buying a thule or yakima one for that price.
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Old 07-02-2010, 01:42 AM   #5
DoneRightScooby
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i got a used thule rack for my car from another nasioc member i love its function and looks, but i didnt have the option for an oem rack so id go for whatever is cheaper for you.
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Old 07-02-2010, 02:44 AM   #6
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I saw the OEM roof kit and like it, especially its price lol. Do they make an aero difuser for it tho?
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Old 07-02-2010, 02:59 AM   #7
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you can attach a thule 38" fairing with minimal tweaking.

I love the OEM mainly for price....about 1/4 of what a thule or yakima set up was going to cost and works just the same
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Old 07-02-2010, 03:26 AM   #8
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Yakima. I like the round bars. You can turn ski racks aerodynamic when not in use. Also, I was able to get a deal on the Yak setup. I heard too many people complain about the OEM rack noise that I didn't want to risk it. Otherwise, Thule also makes good racks. Comes down to personal preference. My Yakima rack/Fatcat 6 worked great this past winter. My wife also has a Yakima rack, so we can share accessories and have same keys to all. I can't tell you the difference between kayak attachments between the two.
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Old 07-02-2010, 04:03 AM   #9
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it would depend. if you have a wagon with side rails, i would go with the yakima. if you have a sedan with a naked roof, then it's thule all the way. the thule traverse foot pack is the best in the industry, imo. it has a larger pad and exerts more pressure on a larger area than the yakima. this makes for a more stable and secure rack. the traverse also has a built in torque meter to prevent overtightening and thus preventing roof denting. it does not have a cam system that can be over-tightened and crush rooflines. also, the yakima q-tower system has about 15 roof profile pads. the thule has over 90. this results in a more custom, snugger and more stable fit.

i've also seen some yakima q-tower systems slide back on roofs. the rubber landing pads actually left streaks. granted i don't know if these people were doing the recommended 65mph when carrying bikes and/or wintersports stuff.

oh and one word: hullavator

Last edited by AFaceInTheCrowd; 07-02-2010 at 04:15 AM.
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Old 07-02-2010, 04:09 AM   #10
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from my experience, they are the same in quality and versatility. get whatever is cheaper when you're ready to buy.
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Old 07-02-2010, 04:42 AM   #11
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I have a Yakima rack on mine with hulley rollers and mako saddles on mine. I think I might have spent around $250 for the whole setup. Carries 2 kayaks (3 getting creative) and they hold sound. I personally have never messed with Thule but wouldn't hesitate there either. I just got Yakima because I got a cheap deal on craigslist. I kinda like the different accessories with Yakima though. I think they're a little more innovative myself. I also like the round bars over the odd shaped bars especially for kayaks. I know people will say that the accessories can move on round bars like it's a bad thing. think of how the accessories can make a straight line by moving on a curved rack. It's actually better. You can move them where you want, lock them down and they don't move. With the odd shaped bars you're stuck where they are. The accessories may pivot some on those too, but I'm not sure about baskets. I like Yakima and I'm sticking with it. Thule ceertainly can't be bad though.
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Old 07-02-2010, 04:49 AM   #12
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I've done the not recommended 75 with stuff on my roof and the thing will not move. I can shake the car with the rack and it doesn't leave any mark. If you make proper measurements it will fit perfect and you'll never have a problem. Either way you go, Wax your car first before putting it on to give it an extra layer of protection. It still won't move on you. I think it would rip my roof off before scooting on me. I trust the hell out of it. I humored putting a 4x8 sheet of plywood up there because I don't have a truck and needed some sub-flooring. Only reason I didn't was I didn't want my car to take flight. It's gracy to put on and easy to take off. Literally takes about 2 minutes for me to put it together and most of that time is spent walking around to the other side of the car. You can't go wrong with either but I would say that anyone who had the rack slide on them didn't measure the width of the towers correctly. It's not supposed to fit loose.

Also, you can put any accessory on a yakima - thule or yakima or sportrack (made by thule) or black widow - whatever. Not sure about the same with Thule. It might be so.

Last edited by ChemicalWaste; 07-02-2010 at 04:54 AM.
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Old 07-02-2010, 05:12 AM   #13
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i sell both. i've seen quite a bit.
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Old 07-02-2010, 11:19 AM   #14
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Default Thule vs. Yakima

I pieced together a used Yakima set-up, and with the wagon, I didn't want to have the fairing too short or too long, so I got the longer one, trimmed it with the trusty hacksaw, and voila! Perfect fit.
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Old 07-02-2010, 11:59 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Database View Post
I saw the OEM roof kit and like it, especially its price lol. Do they make an aero difuser for it tho?
i have an inno fairing on mine, others have done the thule fairing.

Works great, and it's significantly quieter then the thule i had on my last car, so i'm not sure what people are complaining about noise for. Maybe they didn't have a fairing.

price point, and time of installation should sell you. the car comes with rack mounting points stock, why wouldn't you use them?
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Old 07-02-2010, 12:02 PM   #16
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My thule even without the fairing and 3 surfboards on top is quiet as a whisper... You can't hear it at all.
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Old 07-02-2010, 12:34 PM   #17
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I've got a full setup of each. The thule isn't as easy to get on and off, and I can never get it to line up perfectly. The yakima is better in that respect.

As far as value goes, I can't say because I bought both of my setups used. I think I've spent about $150 total and have 2 full racks, bike trays, locks, tons of spares, and a fairing. Craigslist is great for finding cheap roof racks.
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Old 07-02-2010, 06:19 PM   #18
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Although I don't have experience with Yakima, i would go with Thule. i have a pair in my car and they feel solid as can be. Beware of which bars you get though, many bike, snow and cargo racks only fit a certain bar shape and you might have to get an adapter for them(wish i knew that). Both seem over priced, so just do some searching.
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Old 07-03-2010, 04:30 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dwf137 View Post
just buy the factory rack.

you can put it on and off in about 2 mins, and it's dirt cheap.

you can get used ones for around 100-150. try buying a thule or yakima one for that price.
Factory racks are crap they have low weight rating, a lot of them don't fit Yakima or Thule accessories without buy adapters etc.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kickniteasy View Post
you can attach a thule 38" fairing with minimal tweaking.

I love the OEM mainly for price....about 1/4 of what a thule or yakima set up was going to cost and works just the same
You get what you pay for at least Yakima or Thule are more versatile if you switch between cars often just buy new clips of feet vs having to buy a whole new rack every time.

Last edited by dasnowman; 07-03-2010 at 04:42 AM.
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Old 07-03-2010, 04:37 AM   #20
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Also a new rack we started carrying at my store is Pro rack Whispbar... very nice stuff some stuff is a lot cheaper then Yak or Thule some about the same... But no need for a fairing as it is way quieter then any other rack system.

http://www.rackattack.com/prorack-base-rack-systems.asp
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Old 07-03-2010, 11:00 AM   #21
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^this, whisbar racks don't make as much noise as thule or yakima while travelling at highway speeds. check out their videos on youtube for comparison
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Old 07-03-2010, 11:22 AM   #22
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they both good. its comes down to price
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Old 07-04-2010, 01:41 AM   #23
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Damn, they're all expensive as hell. 300 ish for the feet and cross bars. 150 for each pair of kyak holders and another 70 for the fairing. Anyone got a good site to buy from? Didn't expect some $700 for racks though I don't think I have much choice if I buy new.
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Old 07-04-2010, 01:52 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Database View Post
Damn, they're all expensive as hell. 300 ish for the feet and cross bars. 150 for each pair of kyak holders and another 70 for the fairing. Anyone got a good site to buy from? Didn't expect some $700 for racks though I don't think I have much choice if I buy new.
Buy used on craigslist or ebay.
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Old 07-04-2010, 02:01 AM   #25
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Now you know why I said it was an investment in a system. Not cheap to change...
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