Different vehicles require different base roof rack systems, so the first step is to assess which base roof rack system options are available then select the type best suited for what you want it to do for you. Once you figure out which type you would like, assembling the base rack system will be straightforward, and you will be off and running, or riding, in no time.
These systems are best dissected in to the components which combine to create the complete solution. Towers or Feet sit on the four corners of your roof and attach to either your bare roof, with the addition of a specific kit/clip, or to your existing factory roof rack. Load Bars or Crossbars attach to your towers/feet and run from driver-side window to passenger-side window to create a mounting point for your accessories. Different vehicles required different towers/feet and deciding which ones work for you can sometimes be complex. If at any point you find yourself confused check one of our Automated Roof Rack Fit Guides and enter your vehicle's year, make and model then we will do the thinking for you. Below we will explain the various options that depend on the current state of your vehicle's roof, be it bare or maybe if it already has an inadequate roof rack installed by the manufacturer.
If your vehicle does not have rain gutters or a factory roof rack installed this is the option for you.
The Yakima Q Tower System is composed of 4 Towers that attach to the four corners of your vehicle's roof and requires 4 Q Clips that are custom designed to attach to the contours of your vehicle's roof and 2 round Yakima Crossbars. Bar size and Q Clip depend on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. Note
that Q Clips are sold in 2 and 1 pair sets, and two pairs are required to complete a base roof rack system.
The Thule 400XT Aero Foot Pack System is composed of 4 Feet that attach to the four corners of your vehicle's roof and requires a Fit Kit that is custom designed to attach to the contours of your vehicle's roof and 2 square Thule Load Bars. Bar Size and Fit Kit depend
on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
The Thule 480 Traverse Foot Pack System is the best fitting foot for vehicles without a factory rack or rain gutters. Thule 480 Traverse replaces the Thule 400XT Aero foot, offering simplified installation and a stronger fit.
All Bare Roof Base Rack Systems come with built-in locking capability, simply add a Lock Cylinder to each tower/foot and you get complete security. Aerodynamics is the key to lowering your vehicle's fuel consumption and to eliminate the wind noise a roof will sometimes create. A Fairing attaches to the front bar of your rack and deflects wind above and around your rack and is an excellent accessory purchase. Note that Lock cylinders and Fairings are sold separately.
Some vehicles come with a roof rack installed by the vehicle manufacturer that in most cases falls short on functionality or lacks crossbars all together. Factory Installed Roof Racks generally come with either a raised side rail or a continuous side rail. In order to determine which style you have, if you can slide a finger underneath the side rail they are raised rails otherwise they are continuous.
Vehicles with Raised Side Rails:
The Yakima LowRider System is composed a set of 4 Towers that wrap around your vehicle's factory installed roof rack and requires 2 round Yakima Crossbars. Bar size depends on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
TheYakima RailGrab System grabs onto your rails and refuses to let go; finally a tower that mounts to both raised rail and flush factory roof racks. Includes 2 58 inch crossbars and 4 railgrab towers.
The Thule 450 Crossroad System is composed of 4 Feet that wrap around your vehicle's factory installed roof rack and requires 2 square Thule Load Bars. Bar size depends on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
The Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad System is composed of 4 Feet that wrap around your vehicle's factory installed roof rack and requires 2 oval Thule Rapid Aero Load Bars. Bar size depends on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
Vehicles with Continuous Side Rails:
The Yakima Locking EZ Rider System is composed of 4 Feet that clamp on to your vehicle's factory installed side rails and requires 2 round Yakima Crossbars. Bar size depends on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
To see a list of available Thule options for your vehicle, please instead refer to the Thule Automated Roof Rack Fit Guide.
All Factory Mount Base Rack Systems come with built-in locking capability, simply add a Lock Cylinder to each tower/foot and you get complete security. Aerodynamics is the key to lowering your vehicle's fuel consumption and to eliminate the wind noise a roof will sometimes create. A Fairing attaches to the front bar of your rack and deflects wind above and around your rack and is an excellent accessory purchase. Note that Lock cylinders and Fairings are sold separately.
Lots of new vehicles come with pre-drilled installation points where one can attach a roof rack purchased from the manufacturer after the fact, which some might find drastically over-priced. If this is the case, or you want to remove and replace your under-performing factory roof rack all together, this is the solution for you.
The Yakima Control Tower System is composed of a set of 4 Towers that attach to the four corners of your vehicle's roof and requires 4 Landing Pads custom designed to attach to your existing factory mounts and 2 round Yakima Crossbars. Bar size and Landing Pad depend on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
The Yakima 60 Inch Tracks Yakima 60 Inch Tracks turn your vehicle's roof into a platform for adventure. Similar to factory installed channels, the Yakima tracks accomodate Control Towers as your base rack, and the usual range of gear mounts
The Thule 430R Rapid Tracker Foot Pack System is composed of 4 Feet that attach to the four corners of your vehicle's roof and requires 4 TK Tracker Kits custom designed to attach to your existing factory mounts and 2 oval Thule Rapid Aero Bars. Bar size and TK Tracker Kit depend on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
The award winning Whispbar S16 base rack employs 1190mm (47 inches) through bars, giving your vehicle a quiet, solid, OEM style roof rack. The S16 from Prorack is preassembled, and requires a fit kit specific to your vehicle.
The Thule 460R Podium Aero Fixpooint Foot System is composed of 4 Feet that attach to the four corners of your vehicle's roof and requires a Podium Fit Kit custom designed to attach to your existing factory mounts and 2 oval Thule Rapid Aero Bars. Bar size and Podium Fit Kit depend on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
All Factory Replacement Base Rack Systems come with built-in locking capability, simply add a Lock Cylinder to each tower/foot and you get complete security. Aerodynamics is the key to lowering your vehicle's fuel consumption and to eliminate the wind noise a roof will sometimes create. A Fairing attaches to the front bar of your rack and deflects wind above and around your rack and is an excellent accessory purchase. Note that Lock cylinders and Fairings are sold separately.
If your vehicle has rain gutters and no factory roof rack installed this is the option for you.
The Yakima 1A Raingutter System is composed of a set of 4 Towers that clamp on to your vehicle's rain gutter on the four corners of your roof and requires 2 round Yakima Crossbars. Bar size depends on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
Thule offers a variety of Rain Gutter Foot Pack Systems for a variety of different clearance requirements. Each is composed of a set of 4 Feet and requires 2 square Thule Load Bars.
Some of the Rain Gutter Mount Base Rack Systems come with built-in locking capability, simply add a Lock Cylinder to each tower/foot and you get complete security. Aerodynamics is the key to lowering your vehicle's fuel consumption and to eliminate the wind noise a roof will sometimes create. A Fairing attaches to the front bar of your rack and deflects wind above and around your rack and is an excellent accessory purchase. Note that Lock cylinders and Fairings are sold separately.
If at this point you are still confused, or just cannot decide which solution is best suited for you try one of the Automated Roof Rack Fit Guides listed below where you simply enter your vehicle make, model, and year and let us do the rest.
