Roof Rack and Hitch Setups HERE!

Q

Quentin

Senior Member
Just wanted a consolidated thread for everyone that is looking to maximize the utility of their 5th gen T4R. I'm a biker, camper, and hiker w/ a hair of canoeing on the side. One option is to do the OEM crossbars. I don't think my Thule MTB trays will fit the aerodynamic crossbars, so I'm not really keen on it. So, here is what I was thinking.

Thule 916XT hitch mount, holds 2 MTBs
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Thule 450 Crossroad bar adapters
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Thule LB58 Crossbar
Thule 579XT Canoe Attachment
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Basically, I think this will give me the option of putting 2 bikes on the hitch and a 3rd and 4th bike on the roof if needed (using the 2 Thule trays I already have). Also gives me a good platform for placing a canoe up there.

Does anyone else have a Thule setup on their roof? I can get a good discount on Thule which is why I'm going w/ it versus Yakima (unless the Yakima is far superior).

Also, if anyone has the hitch mounted cargo carriers, I'd love to see them.
 
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I'm putting on my new "Yakima Hitch Mount Double Down 2" tomorrow evening. I'll post pics when I get a chance. After that, I need to figure out the best way to strap my surfboard to the roof rack....
 
One discouraging issue with the 5th gen is that, despite a larger vehicle over my 3rd gen, the roof rack capacity (space wise) is less. The primary reason for this is the inability to mount a crossbar over the front doors with either the Thule or Yakima systems on the 5th gen. I carry two outrigger type canoes on top of my vehicle along with a bike or two. I will end up needing a Yakima Drydock with 78" cross bar along with two sets of Railgrabber for the roof; one fitted with a 66" cross bar and the other with a 48" crossbar to rack up the things I would like. I haven't tried it yet, But I may have some trouble fitting a stand up paddle board in place of one of the canoes at the same time. It should be interesting when I get everything put together next week.
 
i've got the Thule 450 crossroad feet and 58" crossbars (trimmed to reduce the unnecessary width overage) on my Trail. looks super. also have a Yakima hitch-mount bike carrier but i can't recall which one exactly. however it is a top-tube mount model, not the nicer tire mount liked you've pictured here.

will take a pic and follow-up in this thread.
 
sandcrawler said:
i've got the Thule 450 crossroad feet and 58" crossbars (trimmed to reduce the unnecessary width overage) on my Trail. looks super. also have a Yakima hitch-mount bike carrier but i can't recall which one exactly. however it is a top-tube mount model, not the nicer tire mount liked you've pictured here.

will take a pic and follow-up in this thread.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I know the rails are different between the trail and SR5/Limited, but I'd like your opinion on the setup. Easy to install and remove? Wind noise? Do you run a fairing? How hard is it to reach up to the roof? I'm only 5'8" so I can get bikes on my car's roof w/ ease, but I'm wondering about something as tall as the 4Runner.

Comparing the Thule on-rail setup to the Yakima, it seems like the Thule will go on and come off easier. I'm not the type to keep the bars on unless I'm using them (due to MPG and clearance).

The tire mount setups are very nice. They just make it so easy to load and unload and you don't have to wipe down the bike frame after to ride to prevent scratching dirt into your frame's finish.

IceNomad said:
I would suggest not getting the OEM crossbars. I ordered the OEM crossbars with my 2010 SR5 and returned them a couple days later.

The OEM corssbars are for looks and not utility. When using a yakima or thule box on the top, the crossbars do not provide enough clearance for the grips to secure to the bars without scratching the roof. I now use the Thule 450 adapters with 58in bars that hold my Yakima rocketbox and 2 bikes

What I did find as well, I had to modify my rocketbox to move the grips forward. When opening the rear door, the "spoiler" constantly hit the back of the box and would not open all the way. With a little modification, I am able to have my rocketbox on and open my rear hatch 100%.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Any pics up close where the feet mount to the rails? I recall a thread about the interference between the box and the spoiler. I'll search for it. What's your opinion on the fit of the feet on the rails? Nice and flush?
 
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IceNomad said:
What I did find as well, I had to modify my rocketbox to move the grips forward. When opening the rear door, the "spoiler" constantly hit the back of the box and would not open all the way. With a little modification, I am able to have my rocketbox on and open my rear hatch 100%.
Click to expand...

Ice, when you tried installing the rocketbox on the OEM crossbars, didn't the XM shark fin antenna get in the way? I have a Thule pod (I havent' tried it on the 4R yet) and it looks like the crossbars are a bit below the fin meaning that I would have to move the pod forward so it doesn't hit the fin (which still probable wouldn't work since you discovered the clearance is not enough on the OEM to secure the grips without scratching).......bummer.
 
Quentin said:
Thanks! I know the rails are different between the trail and SR5/Limited, but I'd like your opinion on the setup. Easy to install and remove? Wind noise? Do you run a fairing? How hard is it to reach up to the roof? I'm only 5'8" so I can get bikes on my car's roof w/ ease, but I'm wondering about something as tall as the 4Runner.

Comparing the Thule on-rail setup to the Yakima, it seems like the Thule will go on and come off easier. I'm not the type to keep the bars on unless I'm using them (due to MPG and clearance).

The tire mount setups are very nice. They just make it so easy to load and unload and you don't have to wipe down the bike frame after to ride to prevent scratching dirt into your frame's
Click to expand...
very easy to install, probably not too cumbersome to remove at will but i can't say definitely as mine stays on 24/7/365. i don't have a fairing on at the moment and wind noise is non-existent in my experience (the thrum of my duratrac tires likely masks any noise).

i'm also 5'8" and while throwing a surfboard up there is no biggie a bike is likely a little more involved. don't they make swing-out arms to help with that? i went with the top-tube style, hitch-mount Yakima bike rack b/c i'm not a cyclist; just needed a cheap way to lug my cruiser on the rare occasion.
 
Quentin said:
Thanks! I know the rails are different between the trail and SR5/Limited, but I'd like your opinion on the setup. Easy to install and remove? Wind noise? Do you run a fairing? How hard is it to reach up to the roof? I'm only 5'8" so I can get bikes on my car's roof w/ ease, but I'm wondering about something as tall as the 4Runner.

I've got the Thule 450 on my 4th Gen, and love the setup. I ended up adding the fairing a week after initially installing it without. Looks much better, and the wind noise reduction is significant. I've got photos here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/52010-what-size-fairing-thule-rack.html#post542080
Click to expand...
 
To Ice and the box issue - what did you do exactly to prevent the spoiler contact? I have the same issue. And I agree the stock crossbars are worthless - I moved on to the Yakima bars - great clearence except for the spoiler rubbing issue.
 
I'll 2nd that the factory crossbars on the Limited are a waste of $$$$! Anyone wanna buy a set?
Thule components have more metal in them than Yakima and seem to hold up better imo.
Already have Thule crossbars and attachments, will be getting T450's soon for the 5T4R.
 
I put my Yakima Double Down 4 on the other week and love it.... I just hate how it doesnt fit very snug into the hitch receiver!
 
Installed the Yakima doubledown 2 bike rack yesterday. Great so far....no rattle noise (even with rear window down on highway). Happy with it!
 

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I see how it is.... You installed it all by your self, without anybody's help. I bet you picked out your tool bags on your own too :cool:
 
mgrande said:
I see how it is.... You installed it all by your self, without anybody's help. I bet you picked out your tool bags on your own too :cool:
Click to expand...

I should have given you credit....sorry! Many thanks to "mgrande" on the install and his vast knowledge of tools! :bravo:
 
So, how do the Yakima doubledowns fit into the hitch? I heard they would tighten on down be pretty snug... Is this the case?
 
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