yakima and thule rack fit kits for bed of ridgeline

[bgs02]

i am considering buying a ridgeline. one key consideration for me will be how to transport my various toys (bikes, kayaks, etc) on the vehicle without a) using the factory roof rack - due to noise and height and b) taking up the truck bed. ideally i'd like a thule fit kit for the Thule x421 xsporter (http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=75&sku=421). Currently thule has no fit for the ridgeline. I've contacted thule and yakima and only yakima has responded. Yakima will be introducing a fit kit soon for their Outdoorsman 300 rack (http://yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=68 ). This is not an ideal solution as i'd prefer a lower elevation like on the thule x421, but as i've not heard back from thule, I may have to go with the yakima (which means eBaying all of my thule parts and reinvesting into yakima adaptors).

Hopefully somebody finds this information useful.

[kahnartist]

BGS:
Please check my post on making a 'bed rack' for your Thule parts. We did it with Yakima...so not sure if you can take our instructions and make it work for the square rack as well--and get your bikes, kayaks, etc in the back.

A roof rack (on ANY vehicle) is going to be worse for gas mileage and the wind noise is awful (even with a fairing).

Check out my post under Custom Yakima bike rack...and get your toys in the bed...where you will still get decent mileage, they will be protected from bugs and flying debris, etc.

Good luck!

[bgs02]

kahnartist wrote: › docWrite("quote")BGS:
Please check my post on making a 'bed rack' for your Thule parts. We did it with Yakima...so not sure if you can take our instructions and make it work for the square rack as well--and get your bikes, kayaks, etc in the back.

A roof rack (on ANY vehicle) is going to be worse for gas mileage and the wind noise is awful (even with a fairing).

Check out my post under Custom Yakima bike rack...and get your toys in the bed...where you will still get decent mileage, they will be protected from bugs and flying debris, etc.

Good luck!Yes I saw your post and am aware of the wind noise issue as i've had thule roof racks for 15yrs now. Your solution did not solve my problem as I need to move the load bars (bikes, kayak, etc) to just above the bed side rails in order to a)minimize wind noise b) provide room other gear in the truck bed and c) get the load low enough that I can easily load/unload. Your solution would not accomplish that. The yakima solution is higher than i'd like but as the load is behind the cab (above the bed) i suspect wind noise would be minimal. I'm still hoping thule comes up with a solution that places the load bars above the side rails but not above the height of the truck cab. I'll post any other solutions I find. Have a good day.

[wb1dby]

I too am hoping that Thule makes the Xporter series of height adjustable bed rack/bars. You can go to Thule and request this at:

http://thule.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/thule.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=KYO3JNpi&p_lva=&p_li=&p_page=1&p_prod_lvl1=%7Eany%7E&p_prod_lvl2=%7Eany%7E&p_cat_lvl1=%7Eany%7E&p_search_text=email&p_new_search=1&p_search_type=3

I need something lower than the roofline to get into my garage and this is why a factory roof rack will not work. The Xporter would be perfect. You can raise and lower it with ease making (for me) the transport of our rec kayaks simple and when we have stuff in the bed, the kayaks would be higher up. I urge interested parties to go to the web site and post your request for Thule to make the Xporter available soon.

[wb1dby]

Has anyone removed the plastic bed side coverings to see what's below? Is it just part of the truck body or is something else covered (like bed steak holes, etc?) Thanks and happy holidays!

[AIBIKR]

Take a look at my "personal album" photos and let me know what you think. It uses Thule components from my previous cars.

[gugman]

Aibikr
I can't find your personal album ant hints I shoud be looking for?
bob

[CR-V]

bgs02
You sure gotta a lot of toys, maybe you need a semi. Any way check out this thread not sure but it may be of help.
http://www.ridgeline4wd.com/viewtopic.php?p=17026#17026

[AIBIKR]

gugman wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Aibikr
I can't find your personal album ant hints I shoud be looking for?
bob


I am still new here, but on the left side there is a list that says "Board Navigation". The fourth item down says "personal albums". When you click on that, my album is currently the last on the list.

[bigdave269]

The default is sorted by join date. you can change the sorting method by using the pulldowns at the bottom of the Personal Albumvs page.

[BillB]

If you are looking to build a rack and not use the roof or the bed, you might be interested in what I built to hold 4 bikes. Unfortunately, the attachment to the top of the rails necessitated using what Yakima calls "Plush Nuts" which are like drywall anchors, This is because the sides of the bed are sealed and you cannot access under the bed rail caps to use simple nuts and bolts. It took some work, but it has been great for my family over the past 9 months of use. We even went biking today in Caumsett Park in Huntington on Long Island, but it was a bit cold and windy for anything more than about a 5 mile ride.

The rack came in at a bit under $600 with all components added together.