Yakima roof system on Trail Edition

[fixedgeargus]

I knew since I bought my Trail that the Yakima Rail Grab was probably going to be the item. However, until this past week(giver er take), Yakima had yet to officially "fit" the 2010 T4R Tail. So I held out.

I don't blame me either. Without Yakima giving me the "OK", I was too afraid to figure out how the Rail Grab was going to grab the Trail's unique side rails.

Long story short, Yakima.com's fit guide suggested the Rail Grab using the supplied "small claw" and 48" cross bars.

I wanted more versatility up top, so I used my 58" cross bars instead. I like the look and appreciate the easily reachable bike mounts. ***Loaded bikes do not become the outermost piece of the truck, which is nice***

My next concern was the rear hatch paired with my cargo carrier. First install, the hatch rubbed the carrier slightly. So then I slid the bars forward a half inch. Bingo! The slightest touch. With the cargo top in the open position the hatch stays clear of the carrier.

I will either place a rag or paper inbetween when I remember, or try to modify the carrier by cutting out the piece that touches. Regardless, I could not be more happy how everything fits. My only "problem" turns out to be totally fixable.

Unloaded:

Next up is Hitch Rack(6 total bikes!), Shrockworks sliders and an Alpine INA-w900 all in.

 

[Titanpat57]

Great usage of the rack...way to step out of the mould and try something different!!

Pat

 

[SIR in TX]

Thank you for posting all the photos. I need to get something for transporting my kayak.

 

[Quentin]

I was having the same thought for my SR5. I have a full Thule roofrack setup for my GTI that I'm ****ing fed up with. Namely, the feet clamp onto the doorframe and the rubber seal on the door lips out when the rack is on. This makes a little "bucket" to catch water and deposit it inside the cabin. Stupid VW.

So, I figure I can get some feet to fit on the 4Runner that will allow me to reuse my crossbars (hopefully) and trays. The Thule/Yakima bars seem much more useful than the OEM crossbars. So, go w/ the OEM crossbars and sell off my Thule rack or use Thule bars on my T4R?

 

[chimyz]

I take it your Yakima box doesn't fit without the rear hatch hitting it when on the stock bars? I think I have the same box...bummer if it does hit. Let me know.

 

[desertred]

....I figure I can get some feet to fit on the 4Runner that will allow me to reuse my crossbars (hopefully) and trays. The Thule/Yakima bars seem much more useful than the OEM crossbars.....

If you are taking about getting some feet to mount a crossbar above the front doors, it isn't going to happen through Yakima (I see you have Thule) without mounting a permanent foot to your roof (via drilling). I wanted to replicate the set up I had on my third gen to carry my 20+ foot outrigger canoes, which used a Yakima crossbar mounted over the front doors vis Q Towers, a dry dock system in the trailer hitch, and a cross bar using control towers on the factory rails midway. Yakima responded to my e-mail querying if clips for the Q Tower would be coming, and they responded that they has no plans on developing a crossbar system other than using the factory roof rack.

I hope Thule develops a system to mount a crossbar above the front doors (without drilling), but it seems like if a vehicle offers a roof rack for all models, that is what it appears the aftermarket rack companies tend to cater too.

 

[fixedgeargus]

I take it your Yakima box doesn't fit without the rear hatch hitting it when on the stock bars? I think I have the same box...bummer if it does hit. Let me know.

Stock cross bars can be slid just as far forward as I have my Yakima bars, however the box will sit lower on the roof if you use the stock cross bars. Making slightly more of the box touch the hatch.

I NEVER would use any stock cross bars to hold my bikes and gear. Thule and Yakima are the most trused bike racks/mounts which are designed to work best with their specific cross bars. Not to mention, Yakima and Thule are almost always rated to carry more mass than a stock cross bar.

 

[simonj]

Looks great. Just got a yakima hold up hitch rack for my limited. Absolutely love it. Will post pics soon.

 

[folkmusic]

No luck finding Thule mount above front door

If you are taking about getting some feet to mount a crossbar above the front doors, it isn't going to happen through Yakima (I see you have Thule) without mounting a permanent foot to your roof (via drilling). I wanted to replicate the set up I had on my third gen to carry my 20+ foot outrigger canoes, which used a Yakima crossbar mounted over the front doors vis Q Towers, a dry dock system in the trailer hitch, and a cross bar using control towers on the factory rails midway. Yakima responded to my e-mail querying if clips for the Q Tower would be coming, and they responded that they has no plans on developing a crossbar system other than using the factory roof rack.

I hope Thule develops a system to mount a crossbar above the front doors (without drilling), but it seems like if a vehicle offers a roof rack for all models, that is what it appears the aftermarket rack companies tend to cater too.

I have a similar problem, I carry 18-ft sea kayaks. I've had no luck finding a Thule Fit Kit for the 2010 4Runner. I tried the Tacoma fit kit (KIT1511) but it didn't work. Has anyone tried the Tundra fit kit (KIT1555)?

 

[hiker_jon]

If you are taking about getting some feet to mount a crossbar above the front doors, it isn't going to happen through Yakima (I see you have Thule) without mounting a permanent foot to your roof (via drilling). I wanted to replicate the set up I had on my third gen to carry my 20+ foot outrigger canoes, which used a Yakima crossbar mounted over the front doors vis Q Towers, a dry dock system in the trailer hitch, and a cross bar using control towers on the factory rails midway. Yakima responded to my e-mail querying if clips for the Q Tower would be coming, and they responded that they has no plans on developing a crossbar system other than using the factory roof rack.

I hope Thule develops a system to mount a crossbar above the front doors (without drilling), but it seems like if a vehicle offers a roof rack for all models, that is what it appears the aftermarket rack companies tend to cater too.

I use the front pair of my old 3rd gen Yakima crossbars on the front door when I transport my kayaks. Not a perfect fit, but it works.

 

[folkmusic]

How are the 3rd gen Yakimas mounted? Any pics? Thanks!

 

[desertred]

Interesting. I never tried to use my 3rd gen crossbar as the distance between the roof and where the clip mounts in the door frame seemed to be much greater that my 3rd gen (are appearances deceiving?). What kind of adjustments did you have to make with the Q-Tower clips from the 3rd gen? What length of crossbar do you have? I'm concerned about the "perfect fit" as I occasionally will be subjected to 40-50 mph head/cross winds (and frequently lesser 20-30 mph winds) while carrying my canoes. I don't want that cross bar to come flying off.

 

[hiker_jon]

How are the 3rd gen Yakimas mounted? Any pics? Thanks!

Here it is

 

[folkmusic]

Hiker Jon, I've got the same truck and color. Nice skin kayak. Couple questions: Any water coming in the door when it rains? Any idea of the models of the yakima fit kit and feet. Much appreciated.

 

[desertred]

How are the 3rd gen Yakimas mounted? Any pics? Thanks!

The 3rd gen required a pair of Yakima control towers paired with a set of #Q62 clips (and rubber feet to go on the bottom of the towers). The clips latched against the inside of the upper portion of the front door frame. The clips , when closed, pulled the control towers taught against the roof holding the assembly in place.

Its tough to see sitting on a black 4Runner, but you can just make out the clip extending from the bottom of the control tower over the front door of my old T4R.

 

[desertred]

hiker_jon, would you feel comfortable about your crossbar holding tight while carrying your kayaks into head/cross winds winds like I described in my post above?

 

[folkmusic]

I had a 1997 4runner with Thule racks that fit well, but they didn't work on the new generation. Any leak problems with the new 4runner?

 

[hiker_jon]

Hiker Jon, I've got the same truck and color. Nice skin kayak. Couple questions: Any water coming in the door when it rains? Any idea of the models of the yakima fit kit and feet. Much appreciated.

This is CA so rain is usually not an issue. I only put the crossbar on when I need it. Sorry, it has been way too long since I bought those feet to remember the numbers.

 

[matt3liv]

I used what I had, and have thus far been stuck with the loadwarrior. It works, but I can feel the flex on the factory cross bars.

I have an idea in my head about using cut down yak bars, with "t" mounts on the factory rails. I just started drawing it in SketchUp, but I am a long ways off. I need to measure a couple angles, because the factory rails are not square from front to back, and there is a slight cant inward from top to bottom. Anyone want to take those measurements for me?

It'll end up being four t-mounts that fit very low profile. In fact, they will sit lower than the factory bars, because there will be no arch.

I have cnc machinist to make them for me. I just need to convert it over for him. Any takers?

 

[hiker_jon]

hiker_jon, would you feel comfortable about your crossbar holding tight while carrying your kayaks into head/cross winds winds like I described in my post above?

Hi,

The front crossbar seems solid. For strong side winds I would tie down on all three crossbars.