OEM Racks

[Sirius Kase]

I've been studying rack systems lately. I've learned there are 3
popular choices, thule (square), yakima(round), and the oem racks which
are made by yakima but flat or wing shaped instead of round. I have a
subaru forester, but in my research, I've noticed that the oem racks on
other makes are also flat, presumably because the manufactureres want
something that isn't intended to be removed to be aerodymic for milage
testing, etc.

My question: Are all these various oem racks the same as on my Subaru?
Is so, that means I could head over to the local something else dealer
instead of driving to the next town to visit Subaru. It also opens up
my shop-for-price options on the internet.

I'm tempted to crosspost to the other car make newsgroups, but I'll see
what happens here first.

--
Sirius Kase

The FAQ, on your newsreader: <(e-mail address removed)>

or on your web browser: <http://tinyurl.com/24czw>

another good website: <http://www.hogwarts-library.net/reference/>

 

[Alan]

I've been studying rack systems lately. I've learned there are 3
popular choices, thule (square), yakima(round), and the oem racks which
are made by yakima but flat or wing shaped instead of round. I have a
subaru forester, but in my research, I've noticed that the oem racks on
other makes are also flat, presumably because the manufactureres want
something that isn't intended to be removed to be aerodymic for milage
testing, etc.

My question: Are all these various oem racks the same as on my Subaru?
Is so, that means I could head over to the local something else dealer
instead of driving to the next town to visit Subaru. It also opens up
my shop-for-price options on the internet.

I'm tempted to crosspost to the other car make newsgroups, but I'll see
what happens here first.

--
Sirius Kase

The FAQ, on your newsreader: <(e-mail address removed)>

or on your web browser: <http://tinyurl.com/24czw>

another good website: <http://www.hogwarts-library.net/reference/>

The flat racks make a lot of wind noise (especially above 70 mph on my OBW).
The round ones don't (so I am told by one of the service giuys), but the
flat ones look nicer.

 

[Cam Penner]

The flat racks make a lot of wind noise (especially above 70 mph on my OBW).
The round ones don't (so I am told by one of the service giuys), but the
flat ones look nicer.

I bought a set of Yakima racks for my 02 RS. I wanted a
rooftop box for extra cargo, and wanted to put skis in it.
This meant I needed a long box. So with those constraints,
this is what I ended up with:

1) Yakima towers and racks. I could mount the towers
further apart with Yakima than Thule. This becomes
important later.

2) A Thule Mountaineer box. I liked the massive amount of
cargo space, and the length could easily swallow skis. I
hate dragging skis around unprotected on the roof. The
dirt and grit that gets everywhere is unbelievable.

3) Interestingly enough, the mount points to attach a
Yakima box to the crossbars require a wider spread than the
Thule. So with the wider spread of the Yakima bars, I was
able to mount the narrower requirement Thule box.

The round Yakima bars howl like a banshee on the roof
though. It's not too bad with the box on them, but just
the bars alone is disturbingly loud. I don't drive with
them on unless I'm in "cargo mode". A wind deflector is
supposed to help with that, but I was out of roof budget.

The narrower profile bars from the dealer-type Yakima racks
should be quieter. The "true" version of the racks are
pretty beefy. There's some serious heavy metal in those O-
shaped bars.

I bought mine from the Coquitlem store that is a part of
www.rackattack.com.

 

[Sirius Kase]

Cam Penner

I wanted a
rooftop box for extra cargo, and wanted to put skis in it.
This meant I needed a long box. So with those constraints,
this is what I ended up with:

1) Yakima towers and racks. I could mount the towers
further apart with Yakima than Thule. This becomes
important later.

2) A Thule Mountaineer box. I liked the massive amount of
cargo space, and the length could easily swallow skis. I
hate dragging skis around unprotected on the roof. The
dirt and grit that gets everywhere is unbelievable.

3) Interestingly enough, the mount points to attach a
Yakima box to the crossbars require a wider spread than the
Thule. So with the wider spread of the Yakima bars, I was
able to mount the narrower requirement Thule box.

The round Yakima bars howl like a banshee on the roof
though. It's not too bad with the box on them, but just
the bars alone is disturbingly loud. I don't drive with
them on unless I'm in "cargo mode". A wind deflector is
supposed to help with that, but I was out of roof budget.

The narrower profile bars from the dealer-type Yakima racks
should be quieter. The "true" version of the racks are
pretty beefy. There's some serious heavy metal in those O-
shaped bars.

I bought mine from the Coquitlem store that is a part of
www.rackattack.com.

thanks for your comment concerning something you did. I did read it and
it was slightly interesting, but it has nothing to do with my question
about the compatibility of various oem systems.

From my original post:

--
Sirius Kase

The FAQ, on your newsreader: <(e-mail address removed)>

or on your web browser: <http://tinyurl.com/24czw>

another good website: <http://www.hogwarts-library.net/reference/>

 

[David]

thanks for your comment concerning something you did. I did read it and
it was slightly interesting, but it has nothing to do with my question

It was a direct response to the person he directly replied to. It doesn't have
much to do with you. These are open, threaded discussions. We aren't all here
for your convenience, although if you're polite and lucky you may get helpful
answers.

 

[karisalc]

Cam Penner

The round Yakima bars howl like a banshee on the roof
though. It's not too bad with the box on them, but just
the bars alone is disturbingly loud. I don't drive with
them on unless I'm in "cargo mode". A wind deflector is
supposed to help with that, but I was out of roof budget.

The narrower profile bars from the dealer-type Yakima racks
should be quieter. The "true" version of the racks are
pretty beefy. There's some serious heavy metal in those O-
shaped bars.

I bought mine from the Coquitlem store that is a part of
www.rackattack.com.

Save your money and pass on the Yakima spoiler. I wrapped some thin
bubble wrap around the center of my front bar and 99% of the howling was
eliminated. I've also heard that a piece of rope wrapped around the
round bar will do the same thing.

 

[Bonehenge]

My question: Are all these various oem racks the same as on my Subaru?
Is so, that means I could head over to the local something else dealer
instead of driving to the next town to visit Subaru. It also opens up
my shop-for-price options on the internet.

I sell Thule and Yakima. The answer is YES!

FWIW, Both Thule and Yakima make clips to mount to each others
crossbars.

Barry

 

[Bonehenge]

The flat racks make a lot of wind noise (especially above 70 mph on my OBW).

1.) Try a wind deflector. It dosen't matter what shape the crossbars
are if the wind is deflected over them.

2.) Car dealers don't know crap about racks, they sell cars. Bike,
ski, and outdoor specialty shops often know a lot. Yakima and Thule
regularly offer genuine training to folks who peddle their wares.

Barry

 

[Cam Penner]

@news1.east.earthlink.net>, (e-mail address removed)
says...

thanks for your comment concerning something you did. I did read it and
it was slightly interesting, but it has nothing to do with my question
about the compatibility of various oem systems.

You're welcome.