It seems that both Thule and Yakima have fit kits for roof racks now. Anyone install one on their mini? Does it work okay? I'll be hauling a couple of mtn. bikes.

I do not have the factory rack.

 

I love my Thule

 

How does the Thule mount? I have all of the stuff from my old Honda civic. And the thule site says I will need to get a fit kit is all. Just wondering how it mounted and held in place.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...4&d=1132116867 I bought a Thule mainly because I didn't relish drilling holes in the roof of my new car. You will need the XT400 Aerotowers, 50" bars, and the MINI specific fit kit. I have found that Thules don't really need a fairing for wind noise, the square bars versus the Yakima round bars just seem to be quieter. Initial installation is kind of hard, clamping down the towers on the bars is a real
b!tch, but once on, I have just left mine on. Got some bright blue RockyMounts trays to add a splash of color.

 

Cool, I will have to run out and get the fit kit befor the snow gets too deep. That way I will be ready for skiing and snowboarding.

 

I love my Yakima rack, see the pic below. Plus Jittery Joe's Cycling Team uses the Yakima base rack with Rocky Mount trays.
Cheers,
Herbert

 

[QUOTE=Moskito]I love my Yakima rack, see the pic below. Plus Jittery Joe's Cycling Team uses the Yakima base rack with Rocky Mount trays.
Cheers,
Herbert


How far back do you have the rear cross bar? I've got the Yakima as well and just do the standard 18".

Does it get caught up on anything?

 

[QUOTE=golden_child]Moskito--

How far back do you have the rear cross bar? I've got the Yakima as well and just do the standard 18".

Does it get caught up on anything?

 

I am quite sure that the 18 is a minimum and not a standard. Think of it this way, the further apart they are the better the weight is distributed, and the closer they are together the more you create leverage in terms of the weight of the rearend of the bike hanging over.
Mine is exactly 32 inches apart and it has never hung up on anything. In fact I have no idea what it could hang up on.

Herbert

 

I'll post my new thule. It's been redone and now its made of aluminum. Supper sweet. Looks much nicer than the previous version.
I am leaving town for a couple of days so when I get back I'll snap some pictures.

 

[quote=golden_child]Unexplicably, the Thule also showed a really short span of 20" between towers. If you notice in my picture, I've stretched it out to about 25", I can't see any structural difference that would make it matter much where you put it. I'm with Moskito on thinking it's probably better balanced stretching it back more.

 

Plus I think the end of the tray "points up higher to the sky" when they bars are close together.


Herbert

Moskito. Normally loaded down with 14 pounds of titanium beauty

 

all of you. Been a great help.

 

I need one for kayaks. I have a couple of sea kayaks, but will only carry one at a time. I've looked at the Thule. How long does it take to install this, on a regular basis? I would only install when I want to carry a boat.

Does anyone carry any long kayaks? 18'? How does it travel at high speed? Obviously, I will tie it down fore and aft, to prevent helicoptering, but is the length an issue? Hopefully, I'll see MINI's with kayaks at the MOTD.

 

Once you set it up initially, the whole rack can be removed as a unit. It can be done carefully be one person, but it's much safer (for your car) to have someone helping you lift it on and off. Probably a 10 minute operation. As far as carrying an 18' kayak, that's really long! Expect some severe aerodynamic effects and windnoise although I'm sure it's doable.

 

I can deal with the wind noise. I just don't want the bow to wander back and forth.

 

Sorry, I meant to ask if the Sunroof gets caught on the rear cross bar as it slide back?

 

do any of you know the weight limits to these two racks? i need to carry four tires/wheels. about 160 lbs.

 

my sunroof opens and closes no problem with the thule rack.

 

I am pretty sure that the weight limit of those racks is 75 pounds, plus both the Yakima and Thule are really made for sporting goods and not for loads.
I think even if the rack itself can carry the load, the weight itself would seriously dent the roof where the feet sit.
Cheers,
H

 

For that kind of load, I think your only option is the OEM rack that bolts into the roof of the car. Rated at 165 pounds.

 

Does the Thule rack clip to the plastic gutter that sticks out a bit, or does it clamp to the frame of the car under the weather stripping?

I've got a Thule rack that I bought for my Impreza back in 2000 (older style 400 Aero Kit, not the XT), so I was hoping to save some cash and only need to buy a new fit kit. My concern was how it mounted to the roof. From what I understand, the Mont Blanc rack clips to the frame of the car and not just the bit of roof that overhangs above the windows.

 

I just went to the Thule site and speced out a rack for my MINI. I was the 400XT Aero Foot Pack with the 2145 Fit Kit (specifically for the MINI). The installation PDF file shows the racks only 24" apart. For my kayaks that doesn't give me room in front and behind the cockpit coming for the straps. I was looking to mount this about the same distance apart as the factory racks. How far apart are others that carry kayaks? Hey Yucca, how far apart are yours?

On another subject, MINI needs to develop the roof rack like the Porsche. I saw their racks and they have a little flip cover that is barely noticable on the roof that is opened when the rack is installed.

 

I don't remember the exact measurements, but I did spread my feet apart a bit more than the Fit Kit proscribed with no ill effects. Not carrying anything as long as you though either. Addressing your other observation, my E46 M3 has roofrack mounts built into the rain gutters under little flaps. Thule makes a specific set of towers that bolt right into them, very sano.

 

That is the type thing MINI should do. Would be able to sell a lot more racks that way.

At lunch I looked at the top and see no reason that I could not spread the Thule rack further. I guess the only reason is to prevent damage when the sunroof opens. How far apart are others installing the Thule?