Thule roof rack with 3 door liftback [Archive] - Toyota Yaris Forums

hvacigar

01-26-2009, 06:40 PM

I was searching through the forum for information on people with the Thule roof rack on a 3-door liftback. I didn't find much, and researching outside the board I uncovered that Yakima doesn't even make a system for the 3-door. I finally found a pick of the Thule rack on a three door for those interested...it can be found here

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/orsracksdirect_2037_22799878

As for better pics, I have ordered all the parts, and I will put up pics once I am done with installation. I am installing the 400xtr rapid aero package. Some places will tell you that it is more expensive than the more common 400xt aero foot package, but with the 3 door, you have to use the short roof adaptor for the 400xt foot package, resulting in the aero package actually being cheaper in the end. There are some limitation with this choice, but if all you do is bike and snow sports, you should be good. Thule has a good site for fitting your car at www.thule.com

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/hvacigar/Thule3.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/hvacigar/Thule2.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/hvacigar/Thule1.jpg

Thirty-Nine

01-26-2009, 06:51 PM

Interesting; so they finally came out with a rack for the three door. Good find!

I see you're in Beaverton ... I'm in SW Portland. :-)

toad

01-26-2009, 06:54 PM

cool! i've wanted to see what it looks like on a yaris for quite some time. i never really liked the 'short roof adapter'(it's similar to yakima's stretch kit)- way too much clutter. the aero kit should look very clean! don't forget PICTURES!!!!!!!

ddongbap

01-26-2009, 07:00 PM

I don't go skiing, nor snowboarding. I don't own a bike, or a kayak. But I still want to rock one of these.

Mead

01-26-2009, 09:22 PM

I was searching through the forum for information on people with the Thule roof rack on a 3-door liftback. I didn't find much, and researching outside the board I uncovered that Yakima doesn't even make a system for the 3-door. I finally found a pick of the Thule rack on a three door for those interested...it can be found here

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/orsracksdirect_2037_22799878

As for better pics, I have ordered all the parts, and I will put up pics once I am done with installation. I am installing the 400xtr rapid aero package. Some places will tell you that it is more expensive than the more common 400xt aero foot package, but with the 3 door, you have to use the short roof adaptor for the 400xt foot package, resulting in the aero package actually being cheaper in the end. There are some limitation with this choice, but if all you do is bike and snow sports, you should be good. Thule has a good site for fitting your car at www.thule.com

cool, keep us up to date with the rack, I'm interested too, can you fit a cargo box on it too?

Kioshi

01-27-2009, 12:03 AM

Want it! I go snowboarding and have a bike ^_^....
Btw, in that pic, is K.L. standing for our Kaotic? Says Sacramento, California...and he happens to be living in that area :P

hvacigar

01-27-2009, 12:39 AM

cool, keep us up to date with the rack, I'm interested too, can you fit a cargo box on it too?

As for the cargo box, it is a situation where Thule does not recommend it. They also do not recommend any of their attachments with this kit other than

ski
bike
snowboard
basket

There is another person on this forum who put a cargo box on the top with another rack system that was bolted to the roof.

As for any logos or decals you see in that pic, I have no idea the origin of the car in that pic. The pic comes from the orsracks website. I found it while searching everywhere for pics of the Thule rack system on a 3 door lifty.

I will get pictures as soon as I am done with installation. Should be end of next week at the latest.

Mead

01-27-2009, 05:13 AM

As for the cargo box, it is a situation where Thule does not recommend it. They also do not recommend any of their attachments with this kit other than

ski
bike
snowboard
basket

There is another person on this forum who put a cargo box on the top with another rack system that was bolted to the roof.

As for any logos or decals you see in that pic, I have no idea the origin of the car in that pic. The pic comes from the orsracks website. I found it while searching everywhere for pics of the Thule rack system on a 3 door lifty.

I will get pictures as soon as I am done with installation. Should be end of next week at the latest.

Thanks, how easy is it to remove / install the rack I wonder?

I've always wanted to put bikes on top of the Yaris but I worry about the MPGs with the rack on the roof all the time, I like to see a system that easily goes on and off the car.

voodoo22

01-27-2009, 07:23 AM

Keep in mind that roof racks can put a serious hurt on your MPG of 10-15%. If possible, get one you can remove when you're not using.

hvacigar

01-27-2009, 04:12 PM

Keep in mind that roof racks can put a serious hurt on your MPG of 10-15%. If possible, get one you can remove when you're not using.

That is another good reason to purchase the aero package. It has a lower profile. Also, it is removable. I will leave it on for a while and let people know what my MPG loss was if any.

thewifesyaris

01-27-2009, 07:04 PM

Thats not a truly designed for the yaris roof rack. Its simply four universal pods and two rails. Look closely and you'll see how far back those rack bars go back just dangling there. I don't see that set-up being good for anything heavy. Petesredyaris had a much more safer, secure setup.

You'll need four of these or similar:
http://www.yakima.com/racks/rack-systems/product/8000124/q-towers.aspx

And two of these:
http://www.yakima.com/racks/rack-systems/product/8000409/crossbars.aspx

I have wanted a roof rack for quite some time and have not found a way, besides drilling holes into the roof or this way, as of yet.

These would be the best bet, get four:
http://www.yakima.com/racks/rack-systems/product/8000101/1a-raingutter.aspx

And these:
http://www.yakima.com/racks/rack-systems/product/8008001/wide-body.aspx

Then the poles, and so forth. So that your kayak or mountain bike isn't just hanging off the rear of your Yaris.

thewifesyaris

01-27-2009, 07:20 PM

Than I looked up the link on the photo. Um... Not sure to how they work, but I'm researching it.
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-2196-fit-kit-toyota-yaris.html

thewifesyaris

01-27-2009, 07:31 PM

Yep the link here (http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/orsracksdirect_2037_1744929) shows that these are just adapters for their foot posts, these adapters are solely for being secured to your door frame, which means that the bars will be super close together.

thewifesyaris

01-27-2009, 07:40 PM

Heres petes:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/images/funkygarage/153/DSC00983.JPG

talnlnky

01-27-2009, 08:59 PM

GF has a kayak, and we both have nice bikes... no longer own snow stuff.... would love do put a rack on... but I just don't like the idea of having the feet spaced so close together... It'd be cool if they could make a rear anchor/foot that attached somehow in the hatch area. Would give i much better support.

hvacigar

01-30-2009, 12:36 PM

Heres petes:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/images/funkygarage/153/DSC00983.JPG

Looks like Petes has gutters, and gutters mean drilling. Petes setup is definitely necessary on the Yaris if you want to carry larger items (like a cargo box as seen here). Thule rates the 2196 fit kit capable of carrying bikes, ski equipment, and snowboards, but nothing else. It fits my needs. If at some point I want more, I will have to have the roof drilled, and gutters put in.

thewifesyaris

01-31-2009, 07:17 PM

I was at my local Scheels the other day and got a quote on a special order for all the components for an install like Petes, the final price was around 500 bucks. Not all that bad for a complete system that CAN hold weight. I'm still curious to see what yours will look like hvacigar, I would like to see how much of the snowboard you will be looking at from the inside.

I'm looking at doing exactly as Pete has around the summer months, so that I will have room for all of my camping gear.

Look forward to seeing your install hvacigar!

hvacigar

02-02-2009, 06:53 PM

Look forward to seeing your install hvacigar!

Pics now included in original post. Sorry for the dirty car and the sunlight (we don't usually have the sunlight problem in Oregon this time of year). Install was strightforward (took about 40 minutes). I would suggest getting everything loosly assembled indoors and then "fitting" it onto the car. The critical measurements are the placement of the front towers and the distance between the front and rear. I would also recommend the front fairing. I installed without and there is a noticeable whistle from 40 to 70 MPH. After the fairing there is no noise at all. I have not carried anything yet, but I plan to carry the bike this week. I will update later with gas mileage, usage, and more pics with gear attached. I am happy so far with the purchase. ONe caveat. If you plan to carry over 50 kg (110 lbs), surfboards, or an enclosed cargo carrier...you have to go with a gutter install. This setup here works for me because the most weight I will carry is two bikes...which is easily under the weight limit. Enjoy...and glad I can contribute.

Thirty-Nine

02-02-2009, 07:08 PM

Very cool, and good info.

BTW, if you see another white hatchback around Portland (lowered, sometimes on orange wheels), that's me. :-)

thewifesyaris

02-02-2009, 08:13 PM

Looks good. Post some pics when you get some stuff on it!

Mead

02-02-2009, 09:33 PM

Super!

Do you got pics of the install? is it easy to remove everything (when you want better mpgs etc...)

blacksandiegovitz

02-02-2009, 09:48 PM

hvacigar

02-03-2009, 01:00 PM

Shit yes man ! I'm loving the look of that thule rack and the functionality too. I'm sooooo debating getting one of those for my surfboard . Yes , to most it will kill the look of my car but I really dont care as its my car and I can't fit a surfboard in the car with-out taking the passenger recaro bucket out . What was the total cost of the same set-up shown in your picures ????? Thnx for posting info/pics I think most thule threads were lost in the big "hack of 08'"

I don't remember the complete price, but it was somewhere around $350 for the rack system (towers, bars, locks, fairing), plus extra for any attachments. Shop around on Amazon and all over the internet. You will come out with a lower price than if you go to a shop.

As for a surfboard, Thule does not recommend this system for a surfboard. I think you would be better going with a gutter system (drilled into your roof). [I should also add that this recommendation is for a 3 door hatch only...4 door hatches have a longer span, and may be able to carry more load...check www.thule.com fro more information on this]

As for pics of the install, I don't have any...sorry. THe system is made to easily be removed from the car without having to reposition the towers on the bars...meaning that it should be really easy to reconnect.

1NZYaris1

02-03-2009, 03:16 PM

Heres 2 PDF's i got from Thule when i was looking at roof racks at Christmas time
they might be of use too some of you :thumbsup:

YarisPete

02-04-2009, 11:52 AM

That is great information for a rack. What about throwing a 16' kayak on top of it? I bought an 09' Liftback and haven't looked for places on the fornt or back of it to tie down too. I hate to ruin my nice car.

Pete

gunnar93

02-05-2009, 11:33 AM

Hey hvacigar any info on the gas millage? I know it takes awhile to drain a tank but just wondering.
Also i know it's not recommended, but does anyone have the rack and have you put a whitewater kayak on it? Thanks

therealrico

11-13-2009, 08:46 PM

This is a pretty good option for a Yaris, if you need to carry two snowboards. It is a Universal Snowboard Rack that you can put on in seconds, and comes off really easily when not in use.

www.winterracks.com

birdman

12-06-2009, 11:22 PM

That Thule short roof adapter looks pretty cool. I wonder where I can find a photo of one on a 3dr LB?

jdms

12-20-2009, 06:50 PM

Op is this kit what you did? Seems like a killer price. Let me know what's good or bad about this one please.

http://www.cargogear.com/OneItemInfo.aspx?partnum=THTYAR307

YAR1S

12-26-2009, 08:02 PM

If you use the thule rack with the short roof adaptor, it seems like thule OKs the use of the rack for watersports... or thats what it said when i used their Fitment guide... they offered pads to rest the kayak on or a kayak holder than hides in the bars...

is this true? I have a kayak and this would be great for me...
I was going to get the rack system either way... but the short roof adaptor seems practical too.

birdman

12-26-2009, 09:58 PM

The roof track is very solid but that new out rigger set up looks pretty cool. It is a bit pricy and I wonder if there are rubbing issues?

YAR1S

12-26-2009, 10:00 PM

The roof track is very solid but that new out rigger set up looks pretty cool. It is a bit pricy and I wonder if there are rubbing issues?

yeah that outrigger option for kayakers sounds good, but I wonder if holds enough weight... I'd be afraid that it would bend inside the bars... HMMM.

dasnake

03-05-2012, 02:55 PM

Hi guys,
I would love to throw a roof rack on my 2008 yaris 2door liftback. I was checking out the Thule fitkit mentioned in this thread:

400XTR Rapid Aero Foot Pack
ARB43 AeroBlade Load Bar Pair
KIT2196

The weight limit is 110lbs.

I would be right at the weight limit give or take 5 lbs. I am putting two downhill bikes (42lbs) + two thule sidearms racks (15lbs/each) = 114lbs.

Is this advisable? Has anyone gone over or right to the weight limit? Any issues?

cruzerbotz

03-05-2012, 06:10 PM

I've got the 5 dr LB

cruzerbotz

03-05-2012, 06:23 PM

Sorry about that. I've got the 5 dr LB and put the Thule rack on it. Made my own cradle and carry a 10 1/2" kayak on it. In fact, went from Charlotte to Sarasota with it. A longer kayak would be fine. The spacing on the my bars is 29"

Thule makes a short roof fit kit for the 3 dr LB that will extend the distance between the bars to 28".

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-477.html

I think the capacity of the rack is 100 or 125 lbs. I don't think the weight, evenly distributed, is a problem for the Yaris roof.

Ingear

03-20-2012, 10:57 AM

The best solution for the yaris 3-door that I have found is the Thule 60" top tracks. These are installed by drilling through the roof, however this is not as scary as it sounds.

petyanca

04-16-2012, 01:04 PM

I have the drill-on setup with yakima bars and clamp type ski rack. I went on a ski trip with one pair of skis in the ski rack, and my mpg went down from 35 to 29 at 70 mph :eek:

petyanca

04-16-2012, 01:11 PM

The best solution for the yaris 3-door that I have found is the Thule 60" top tracks. These are installed by drilling through the roof, however this is not as scary as it sounds.

Does 60" fit lengthwise of did you cut them ?

amanda07

06-11-2012, 03:01 AM

Does 60" fit lengthwise of did you cut them ?

pretty sure 3 door requires 54" variety? anyone have a step by step on doing this??

daddz07

06-16-2012, 07:17 AM

I have the same Thule parts
400XTR Rapid Aero Foot Pack
Thule Rapid Aero Aluminum Load Bar
KIT2196

And i install my Thule 598 Criterium........ So perfect and very rigid.
for 2 MTB's. FULL SUSPENSION/HARDTAIL/ROADBIKE doesnt matter. It deliver and hold.
love it.

I kinda like the drilling but, if i don't want my rack, i can remove it easily. No problem at all.