Yakima School Of Rack Roof Racks 101

Building Your Foundation:

A multi-sport rack system is all about that base, and that base is your roof rack. But what fits your vehicle’s roof? What kind of roof do you even have? Which bars and towers do you need? In this School of Rack session, we guide you to the perfect system for your vehicle.

[michaelroback]

This is a very helpful overview of Yakima's roof rack system for those who are planning to buy one. Thanks for the in-depth overview!

[soihavetoplay]

Wow this is a recent video, thanks so much I have been looking for some info on racks, great job.

[Vinterfrid]

Interesting information. However, this is a slash "/" and this is a backslash "\". See the difference? The guy keeps talking about "backslash" but the adress shows a "slash". Right?

[TrilobitesRTasty]

About 15 years ago, I purchased a Yakima round crossbars system for my Xterra, plus two Yakima kayak saddles, and two Yakima "wheeled kayak" supports, plus lots of extra hardware...just in case. The "wheeled" kayak supports, combined with the round bars, were a disaster. Each time I tried to slide my new Perception touring kayak onto the "wheeled" supports, the supports would first rotate inward horizontally, then literally flip upside down on the round crossbars...resulting in the wheeled support hardware gouging the underside of the shiny new kayak. No matter how tightly I fastened the bolts, the round bars allowed any attached device to rotate. I mentioned it to the folks at REI from whom I purchased the kit, who then told me the Yakima wheeled kayak supports get returned all the time for that reason. Then they told me the REI employees at that store don't buy Yakima products when they buy their own gear.

I decided to never buy another Yakima product.

[napynap]

Thank you for this, it cleared up the confusion and made it easy to pick the right parts!

[pcfriese]

Great insights, thanks for sharing! We just purchased the EXO system and the YAKIMA roof rack. Now just trying to figure out what cross bars we need. Your video helps tremendously! Thank you!

[lafavini]

I'm pretty sure this / isn't called backslash...no wonder I couldn't find your page :)

[FGCScrub]

winner winner chicken dinner. You guys picked a Delica to show as an example for the rain gutter system.

[KiloWhiskey]

The fact that these systems are over $400, I think it’s bullshit that customers are forced to pay an extra $60 or so for some key locks to prevent theft.

[RogueOntheRoad]

That is a 'forward slash' not a "backslash" as stated in the video.

[johnw]

Great review. I'm researching whats best for my 2020 Pilot. Thanks

[karlduffield]

hi, I see you had some round bars on that table in the video but decided not touch on those. where can i find mounting instructions for a round bar type set up?

[Nate-zyce]

Does the mount that the door shuts over, does that in any way affect the door seal, sound, weather, anything? And do you have a similar video for pickup bed rack choices? One question I'm trying to figure out is how many different heights to you offer for the bed racks, and if and how they can coordinate use with one another on the same runners, specifically using with the Diamondback HD bed cover?

[janiswilliams]

How good is the Yakima rack system already pre installed on the newest Toyota vans? Is it with replacing with stronger bars.

[forumicebreaker]

What's the shear strength on these towers that clamped on naked roofs?

And can a person use three pairs for added strength?

[CreachterZ]

I’m looking at ordering a Toyota Venza that has a factory roof rack option. Should I go with thank and add to it or go 100% aftermarket?

My thought is that the factory option would be more integrated.

[bobotron]

On the naked roof, installed. The base clips seem to be located about the middle of the Windows. Which is how it is on my car, Question is can I slide the base clips towards the back of the car so that my cargo box isn’t over my windshield?

[aubreybilskyrozier]

I just put crossbars on my Jeep Cherokee. I put 50” instead of 58” because I’m using them to carry large dog crates and the thought the overhang of the 58” would make it more difficult to put them up there and get them down. I just don’t see any aftermarket crossbars that don’t extend several inches from the width of the roof. Is there a specific reason for that overhang that I’m not aware of ? I’m afraid that there is and that’s why I never see them shorter the way I’ve put them on my Jeep. Is it just aesthetics and the preferred “style” ?

[chewpaeng]

What do u recommend for 05 Nissan Armada? I want to upgrade to a longer width for 2 tandem Kayak…thanks

[keithsterling]

I just got the cross bars and landing pads put on my truck camper top with tracks. My question is, can I adjust the distance between the bars? They seem to be too far apart for a 48” basket