Thule Car Racks-UPDATE
  • bklyngirl
    I think we need one, but can't find reviews or recs, only information on the different sizes and costs. Any one recommend a particular size over another, or even a different brand? Any specs I should focus on? Are some easier to mount and access than others? Our stuff consists of clothing, beach toys, beach cart, coolers, scooters and helmets.

    We've been going on long weekend trips the last couple of summers, stuffing our minivan to the point where we can't open the back without everything falling out! Looking for an alternative.

    Thanks.
    Post edited by bklyngirl at 2012-07-08 07:41:15
  • law_fivelaw_five
    I do not have the cargo box or bag that you are asking about, but I have purchased Thule racks and kayak carriers. The products seem to be worth the cost. I used this company for my orders (www.rackattack.com) which was far cheaper than EMS or REI. Also, they have lots of helpful advice both online or you can call them and ask them to recommend a set-up for your car.
  • meandtheboysmeandtheboys
    I have a car top cargo carrier I'm looking to sell. It's Sears not Thule. It worked fine for us.

    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02872020000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=02872020000
  • bklyngirl
    Thank you. I'll look around a bit more.
  • mcgregorjmcgregorj
    I prefer Yakima over Thule. The round bars are stronger and I like the accessories better. But I'm carrying bikes and canoes, so you may not be as concerned if you're just carrying family gear.

    Ebay and craigslist are worth scouring for deals on used equipment.

    A few other things to consider:

    - does your vehicle have factory rails (running front to back)? That makes crossbar installation and removal very easy.
    - will you want locks? they usually need to be purchased separately. getting them all at once lets you have just 1 key.
  • doulamommadoulamomma
    the folks at REI on Rt 10 are very knowledgeable and helpful
  • zucca
    Also, there's some place about an hour away that has much better prices than most places. If you don't find it by Googling, I can ask my husband if he remembers the name.
  • FilmCarp
    Try ORSDirect.com, that's where I bought my Yakima 8 years ago. Durable, easy to use, and not too expensive.
  • cedar
    We had a Yakima years ago....it was perfectly fine but, eventually, it didn't fit a new car we got. We've had a Thule with kayak, bike, ski(?) racks, and a pod for many years now. We're liking it.

    Campmor on Rt. 17N in Paramus also has very knowledgable staff (not open Sundays).
  • nannan
    +1 for Campmor

    http://www.campmor.com/

    Well worth the trip. They have Thule racks. I was always planning to get one there but then I ran out of money.
  • grownup_25grownup_25
    definitely check ebay before you buy new. thule's site will tell you what size bars you need to get and what kind of mounts. i'd also get the wind faring if you're planning on keeping it on permanently. looks a little silly but definitely makes a noise difference. if you buy thule or yakima (i'm a thule guy) you're buying into a system that you can always add to for different carrying needs, and they tend to have good resale value if you switch cars or just need to get rid of it.
  • bklyngirl
    Wonderfule - thanks for the info.

    @mcgregorj: I have factory rails.

    I've seen yakima a lot - will check them out, as well.
  • Tom ReingoldTom Reingold
    Campmor is an excellent suggestion. Terrific people there. It won't take long to get there, you'll pay fair prices, you'll get good service, and you'll be supporting real, live people who probably live in NJ.
  • soulivesoulive
    http://www.rackwarehouse.com
    has a good online site to match racks to cars and live support. Warning: Thule and Yakima are solid products but not cheap.
    Post edited by soulive at 2012-05-16 12:56:13
  • RVMRVM
    thule are fantastic racks and cargo boxes. remember you have to get the model for your specific car- they are not one size fits all.
  • Spinclair
    not sure if you'll use this few times/year for summer trips, or every weekend. if it's the former, consider a softtop carrier. MUCh cheaper (around $35-50 on Amazon). they're not as weather-proof, although most claim to be weather proof. and the zippers on the cheaper ones tend to be cheaply made, but i've used one for beach trips for a few years and it works just fine. was about to buy a yakima when I found these. also, since they're soft, they flex with all of the different stuff and can be packed. and they save room in the garage as you can just roll it up and put it away. the two obvious cons are the weather resistance (i just put stuff up there that can get slightly damp, such as the scooters, rather than clothes), although i've never had an issue with rain getting in; and the setup is a bit more involved than a hard-top as you have to strap it on the roof, but even that still takes just a few minutes. oh, and they're noisy b/c they're not aerodynamic. but they're also $35. :-D
  • bklyngirl
    Thanks, Spin. We'll use it mostly during the summer, but almost every weekend during the summer. I'll look into them as an alternative.
  • zucca
    I think the place whe we got our Thule cargo thing is Skyline Equipment, though I'm not seeing it on their website. I was angling for the soft cargo bag mentioned above, but I was convinced by my spouse that we needed it to be more weatherproof.
  • StarsongStarsong
    i got mine thru the bike shop in chatham..ordered it and they popped it on for me. helped me pick the size i needed etc. forget the bike store's name tho..
  • doulamommadoulamomma
    REI is having annual sale - not sure what, specifically...
  • mcgregorjmcgregorj
    REI annual sale - 20% off 1 full priced item for members.
  • bklyngirl
    Yes, I'll try rei. Not much on campmor site.
  • normannorman
    +1 for REI.

    Also, if you already have factory rails but no cross bars, do not get your car's factory/dealer cross bars. Get the mounting system from the brand you choose to go with. Probably same price and way more versatile in the long run.
  • bklyngirl
    Got it. Thx norm.
  • Apollo T.Apollo T.
    Some years ago, 20+?, I bought a no name roof top carrier. I have used it to carry big loads of materials from the Depot and other places. Has never failed me. But what do expect for $30.

    The big deal is to take sufficient time and care to make sure your load is well and properly secured. Then drive reasonably, considering the load up top.
  • veneto
    I bought this carrier last year for a trip to the beach, looking to sell it. Thule 667ES Excursion ES Rooftop Cargo Box. I'm almost positive that's the model (I just tried to find it on Amazon, but I may have purchased it under my wife's account, which I no longer can access). Anyway, used once, it's big and pretty sturdy, if you're still looking. It's in my garage in Maplewood.
  • shoxieshoxie
    veneto said:

    I bought this carrier last year for a trip to the beach, looking to sell it. Thule 667ES Excursion ES Rooftop Cargo Box. I'm almost positive that's the model (I just tried to find it on Amazon, but I may have purchased it under my wife's account, which I no longer can access). Anyway, used once, it's big and pretty sturdy, if you're still looking. It's in my garage in Maplewood.


    Veneto, bklyngirl has first dibs, but if she's not interested, we are in the market for one of these.
  • Steve
    And if neither of them are interested, I may be. Thanks.
  • veneto
    great. it's just the carrier, not the rack/bars. i do have bars, but they are for a BMW 750Li.
  • bklyngirl
    Thanks, shoxie. Be my guest. I'm still trying to figure out what size is appropriate for us.

  • shoxieshoxie
    Thx, bklyngirl - I will pm veneto.
  • shoxieshoxie
    Steve - the carrier that veneto has is too large for us, so you can go ahead and contact him about it. :)
  • tourn
    Campmor in Paramus always had the lowest prices on Thule racks. I've had one for twenty years, still using it. Thules weekend carrier box is great, big enough but not too big. Make sure you place the bars on the right distance apart for the carrier to fit. Then it is easy to put on and take off.
  • bklyngirl
    So we went with the Thule Atlantis from REI. Has worked wonderfully so far. Thx for all the help.
  • Tom ReingoldTom Reingold
    Does it make much noise?
  • bklyngirl
    No noise at all. It's aerodynamic too. We drove 3 hours away this weekend at approx 70 mph and it was as if there was nothing riding on the roof. Highly recommend it.
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