I'm considering purchasing the Thule rack from rackattack, specifically the 2198 fitment kit. I have a rather long canoe to mount and I'd like to spread the racks as far as possible from each other to get the most stability. Most of the images I've seen with the rack mounted have appear to have the racks mounted only a bit over 2 feet apart. Rackattack could not provide the 2198 fitment kit instructions, so I was wondering if someone could tell me what the limitations are with respect to placement on the Clubman? Thanks.

 

as far a rail spacing goes it's just a matter of where you want to clamp the thule mount, I had my bike set up with the rails set fairly far apart, as you can see in the pic I could have set them a foot farther

 

Thanks but I forgot to mention that I don't have the factory rails. I bought mine off the lot for a price I couldn't pass up. I'm thinking I may wind up buying the factory rails and installing them myself, but I'd rather avoid such a big job if I can.

 

then you are stuck with Mini's rack system and preset spacing as they have decided for you where the attachment points must go. The rails are a factory only install from what I have read.

 

This is a foot fit kit that is made for cars that have slots going from front to back along the roof edge. These will not fit the MINI in any way.

Here is a link to the 2198 parts on the Thule web site. http://www.thuleracks.com/product_sp..._id=82&sku=TK4


Here is a link to the intsall instructions from Thule. http://www.thuleracks.com/instructio...265_02,TK4.pdf

The spacing between the MINI Roof Rack Base Support System (part # 82 71 0 435 846) is 29 inches center to center. I carry up to three 14 foot long kayaks on the roof of may car with not problem. Here is a link to a picture of my car with two 11 foot kayak on it.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...67-post24.html

The Thule 2198 fit kit is not designed to fit the MINI, it is designed to fit in a slotted track on the car, which the MINI does not have.

As you noted in another post you do not have the roof rails so as buzzcut stated you are stuck with the MINI Roof Rack Base Support System Part Number 82 71 0 435 846. The roof rails can not be fitted to a car after it has been built, they have to be installed at the factory. And neither Thule or Yakama have come up with a system that will fit the MINI Clubman. I know i have worked with Thule at their fitment center in Connecticut on this and there is nothing that they have designed that will work.

 

Don't drill your roof! Just get the dealer option if you don't have factory rails.

 

I'M A BIT CONFUSED AT THIS POINT AS THE RACKATTACK SITE SHOWS THE 2198 FIT KIT DESIGNED FOR THE CLUBMAN. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE KIT.
http://www.rackattack.com/rack-searc...g=fit+kit+2198
ARE YOU SAYING THEY HAVE ONE, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK?

 

Very interesting, that rack attack is proposing such a thing. Go to the Thule site and they only have a listing for a clubman with the Factory Raised Roof Rails, They do not have an option for the Clubman with out roof rails.
http://www.thuleracks.com/fg_vehicle.asp

Also of note is that the fit link on Rack attack also does not show a fit for the clubman without roof rails. It is exactly the same as the Thule site and only shows a fit for the "Factory Raised Roof Rails"

What really gets interesting is the fact taht the page for that item says it will fit the 08/09 clubman.

Now for real world experience. This is from my experience with working with Thule in their Connecticut Test Fitting Facility.

The clip has to hook below the rubber rain gutter or into the slot for the OEM Base Roof Rack System

If you hook it over the rubber rain gutter the slightest pressure will move the rain gutter and the rack will come off the car.

If you hook it into the OEM slot then it is only holding against a very very thin piece of sheet metal. This is how Thule first envisioned making a clip for the clubman but during testing damage some roofs when pressure was placed on the rack.

The foot has to sit on the side of the "Dune" for that clip to fit into the slot or hook over the rain gutter. I.E. any down ward presure from something sitting on the rack lossens the clip so that it is not holding tightly to the object it is attached.

There are numerous threads on this exact subject here on NAM in the clubman section. Look them up and you will find tha tmany have tried this and it has not worked.

The two main reasons it has not worked is the lack of a very very strong rain gutter and the lack of a decent amount of sheet metal to hook the hook over.

 

If Rack Attack's system comes up with nothing on your search it probably defaults to the foot packs that require drilling of the roof.

Since the Clubman does not show up they are offering you the option that requires them to screw in the "track system" into your roof. IMHO you don't want this.

If you have factory rails use the "crossroad/cross over"?? foot packs referenced above. Or if you don't have factory rails, but the Mini gutter mount option from your dealer, or online, or in the Marketplace here on NAM. Thule add-ons that fit the Aerobars will fit the Mini gutter mount option.

 

The fact that the Thule site says there's no fitment for the MCC without rails and the Rackattack site says there is, is what gave me pause in the first place. I trust everyone's advice here, much more than Rackattack's, especially since they would not provide specific instructions for the 2198 fitment kit they recommend. I guess I'm stuck with the Mini rack system, better than no rack at all. Thanks for all your advice.

 

Even if it would fit it would give you the same spread 29 inches on the rack bars and would not hold as tightly as the OEM rack.

The OEM rack fits in and locks into plates that are attached to the frame of the vehicle. it is very well engineered and i am always putting more weight on it than is listed as its max load.

Also there is someone here on NAM that had his bike on a Thule bike mount on the roof of his car and drove into his garage and the OEM racks did not come off the car, they stayed right in place. If it had been an aftermarket or attached to the roof rails there would definitely have been more damage to the car. As it was there was only one small ding on the roof from where the bike hit the roof.

 

Yes what John wrote, factory rack is by far the best option for a Clubbie with out roof rails.

Mine is quiet! http://www.flickr.com/photos/daclubman/3702447007/

 

I have an 09 Clubbie with the factory rack (no roof rails). I want to mount my canoe on it. Any suggestions on which rack I should get? Can the Thule Canoe kit fit on my factory rack?
My canoe has been sitting in my garage all summer because I don't know what rack works for my car :(
Please help!

 

I carry two 11 foot kayaks on my Base Roof Racks with no problem. The Thule Canoe kit should fit (my need extender bolts) and be use able. Check my gallery for pics of the kayaks on my roof.

 

minilovr-

Might want to check out this thread if you buy a Thule:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...installed.html

Fit kit 2198 is for the older 400XT model, 480 Traverse Foot Pack with 1507 clips is what you are looking for.

I bought the Thule kit and I'd recommend the OEM roof rack. I don't like how the clips pull up on the weather stripping behind the driver's door. Rack has held 2 bikes at highway speeds just fine, but I'm concerned with the wear and tear on the weather stripping over time.

 

I can top that: I've had two 17 foot long sea kayaks on my roof and drove some 500 km (300 miles) at highways speeds (~110 kph/66mph) there and back again with absolutely no problems.

I did have to buy the package of longer bolts when I bought the two J-saddle kits to mount on the crossbar. Since I bought the longer bolts at the same time as the saddles, they gave me a 50% discount on the bolts (I think it came to $10, but I'm not sure.)

Later this month I will be taking the same two kayaks approximately 400 miles each way for some paddling with whales on the St. Lawrence River. I expect to have no problems with the kayaks (or the rack itself.) This will also mostly be at highway speeds.

BTW, front and rear tie-downs are a must, in the opinion of many who carry longer boats on their roofs.

--
Darryl

 

Tie downs are a must even at the shorter length for good safety reasons.

 

I am just getting my Clubman back today after driving, very slowly, under a low roof at an ATM. I had the Thule rack installed. It ripped the side molding completely off on the driver's side (the side where it pulls it up very high). It also creased my roof. The rack completely slid off with no damage to my bike. I am having an OEM rack installed. The Thule rack fit kit blows, in my opinion.

 

I purchased the factory rack from "Minimania". I use it for my bike and it works well. It is a aero design which I think cuts down on the wind noise. This is important when the sunroof is open. As for position placement, I think you are stuck with the factory recommendation. If you look at the raingutter on the roof, you will see two sections of the rubber gasket strip where there is embossed place to cut out and remove the rubber. Each piece is about 4 inches long. Under this cutout, there is a recessed section of the roof for the factory roof mount to engage. Not much else you can do about this.

 

I just got a 2008 Clubman without factory rails and want to install a Thule rack so that I can use all my Thule accessories (bars, kayak, bike racks, etc). I see some people have used the Thule 480 Traverse feet with the 1507 fit. However, this doesn't look like the best fit to me around the gutter and window seal, plus I'd like the absolute fastest mounting/unmounting as I don't leave my rack on, and often throw my kayak or bike on in the morning when I'm rushing to work. Thus, I have been considering having the Thule Top-track professionally installed onto the roof (i.e. drilling holes, etc) and then getting the very easy-to-use and fast on/off tracker II feet.

Does anyone have experience with this, and/or recommend or not recommend this solution?

Thanks, ..Roger

 

The safest and most secure fit is the MINI OEM Base Roof Rack. It constists of tow cross bars that connect directly to the Roof Frame work of the MINI. If properly set up it goes on and off faster than any Thule rack ever will and does not pull on the Rain Gutters. All Thule rack parts will fit, but some may have to have longer bolts. The OEM cross bars are the same dimensions as Thule AERO Bars.

During the winter my cross bars are on all the time as i carry a Thule cargo box with skis in it so i can get out of work and go skiing if I want to.

During the summer is takes me less than 5 minutes to put the racks on set up with my Kayak racks and less than another 5 minutes to put both kayaks on and strap them down.

CHeck my gallery and you will find a PDF that has better instructions that the OEM installation manual.

 

Thanks for the reply. I did manage to find your images in your gallery and your install PDF instructions elsewhere in your forum post on the install.

All my Thule bike racks, kayak stacker bars and saddles are for the older rectangular Thule bars so I just assumed that those don't fit the Aero bars/OEM rack but I'll investigate that now, since you are suggesting a strong and quick solution for the bars. I had just dismissed that solution initially because I just assumed that they would not be compatible with any Thule parts.

I did just go out and look at my Clubman though and I certainly don't see any stamped out piece of roof strip. It just looks like one continuous strip. My 2008 Clubman is a Canadian model if that makes any difference.

Thanks for all the effort you've put into the install guide and photos.

..Roger

 

Call Thule with the attachment models you use and they can tell you if they make a extra fit kit to work with the AERO Bars. If they don't you can do as i have done and just as i have done and get some longer bolts is stainless steel. Cost me a 4-5 dollars.

They are not easy to find and if you have trouble let me know and I will measure them from the front window edge so that you can measure and find them.

You are welcome
and
Thanks to all the others here as well that helped me on other things. This is a great forum and great people.

 

No need to measure for me as you already have and it's in your install guide. I checked again and yes I see the cutouts now - very, very faint perforations in the rubber. I'll look into the fit of the old Thule accessories on the Aero bars.

Thx.