'wrong' used Thule parts useful for roof rack?

[RecipeForDisaster]

http://providence.craigslist.org/spo/4028924393.html
I have a 2008 Tacoma 4WD crew cab with just rain gutters on the roof-otherwise, it's bare. I want to carry 2 kayaks(I know I'll need another set of saddles). Seller says crossbars are included even thought that isn't mentioned in the ad.

I called Thule and they were rude and useless, acted like it was a huge inconvenience to answer my call. The kit they recommend is 2160 and the 2077 is obsolete so they won't even talk to me about it. I want to understand what I'd need to make this 2077 fit kit work with the truck, since the 400XT feet(in the 2077 kit) are the ones recommended(although discontinued)for my truck. I just wonder if the difference is longer screws or a part I can get on eBay. Educate me?

[haikuman]

I have used both Thule and Terzo Roof Racks.
You may want to do some more searching and consider switching priorities.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-part...984162.htm

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Terzo+Roof+Racks&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Thule+Roof+Racks&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Used+Thule+Roof+Racks&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

[thermarest]

If you have raingutters, you want the raingutter towers http://www.rei.com/product/490016/thule-...k-set-of-4

The towers and fit kit in this CL ad are for vehicles without the benefit of gutters. On my local CL the raingutter towers come up pretty frequently. Recently bought 4 towers, two 58" bars and a bike tray for $100.

Everything thule and yakima is 20% off at REI through 9/2, FWIW.

[M>B>]

And REI members get about a 10% dividend on all purchases at the end of the year!

Win, win!!!

[Bimwad]

It doesn't appear that a 2008 Tacoma has traditional raingutters, so the old feet/towers such as those above won't work.

For a vehicle that does have old-style protruding drip rails, I'd definitely go for the old style feet, which have diminished value now and can be had cheaply used now that they're confined to vehicles that are no longer made.

Systems designed to fit modern "gutterless" aero roofs, consist of the crossbars, and basic "feet" (Thule) or "towers" (Yakima), paired with "fit kits" with clips and pads designed for each specific make/model.

To use the system in the CL ad (which is assumed to include what is pictured, with the base system with the square crossbars and 400XT feet), you'd need to also obtain a 2160 fit kit, as well as whatever attachments are necessary to carry your equipment. The 2077 kit noted is presumably for the Camry pictured, not suitable for your truck, and would be discarded.

Every so often, these companies update their base systems (feet/bars), which have their own accompanying generation of adapter kits. For discontinued systems, as long as the desired adapter kits can still be obtained, there is no problem.

It doesn't help that the older and newer systems overlap in the market, which requires a bit of vigilance to secure all the appropriate parts.

Equipment attachments are more flexible, even to the point where they can fit other brands (at least for the two big players, Thule and Yakima). However, my experience rests with when the two choices were square (Thule) or round (Yakima) bars. I don't know how compatiblility rests with the current elliptical section aero bars.

I've had both, and of the two, I think the Yakima stuff is more refined in design, especially with the attachments, and the old round bars are easier to deal with than Thule's square bars.

That being said, I currently have a Thule base system, because Yakima discontinued my application when they switched to an updated tower design, and even if they hadn't, I preferred how the Thule feet fit my vehicle's roof compared to the discontinued Yakima feet that did.

[haikuman]

Get rid of that Tacoma and get one of these *(:>* It comes Racks . . .

[RecipeForDisaster]

Thanks so much. I am definitely not set on Thule-anything used that's in good shape is under consideration.

Thank you for explaining *why* it won't work and what parts I'd need to add. I may see about doing that, since it might still be a good deal.

Those gutter feet in the REI link... those still don't require the front to back bars, right? So there'd just be the crossbars, I'm hoping. I haven't seen a lot of racks without the side bars, so want to make sure that that's an option and I don't have to buy another part.

I'll take that Mercedes if you pay for it!

[OWC Jamie]

Get a bed for that Tacoma and put the kayaks in that.
:wall:

[macphanatic]

M>B> wrote:
And REI members get about a 10% dividend on all purchases at the end of the year!

Win, win!!!

You don't get the dividend on sale items.

[RecipeForDisaster]

The bed on this truck is super short, between the toolbox installed in it(screwed in), and the double cab. The kayaks stick out about 5-6' which is more than we are comfortable with, and more length is unsupported than is in the bed... we considered a rack for the bed, but if we can get a decent roof rack inexpensively, we'll do that. We are open to whatever sounds best right now.

So, my updated question may be: if I have to buy the fit kit for this truck and otherwise just need another set of saddles for the second kayak(which we don't own yet, still shopping for that, too), plus what this guy is selling, is this a great deal for a good rack, in the end? About $250($175 for the Craigslist stuff, $75 for the kit)plus $50 for the J hook, total... more than I am thrilled to spend, but if it's a steal and a good setup, I'd do it.