Yakima

[Jmort1754]

Finally getting around to buying the rest of the set up for my cap,

It has the factory installed rails but nothing else.

Anyone have any input on what set up to look at? Hauling kayaks and extra gear only.

 

[PVHunter]

Are you wedded to Yakima as a brand for accessories or open to other products on the rails? I know that sometimes there are rail <-> product benefits e.g. Thule cross-rails with the Thule ski extenders (slide in / slide out by design, but otherwise suggest being open to > 1 brand.

 

[Jmort1754]

Are you wedded to Yakima as a brand for accessories or open to other products on the rails? I know that sometimes there are rail <-> product benefits e.g. Thule cross-rails with the Thule ski extenders (slide in / slide out by design, but otherwise suggest being open to > 1 brand.

Oh I am open right now all I have is the rail, Not even sure where to look, The cap came with Yakima branded rails attached.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

I still use the Yakima gear my parents bought 40+ years ago. I use the bolt-on gutters on the truck shell and old rain gutter towers, plus the truck make/model specific towers on the cab of the truck (so three cross bars).

I like the bike racks and canoe gunnel guides. Have had two bikes, two canoes, and two kayaks up there at the same time.
I bought rollers and a "saddle" for a short kayak and can't stand them. Instead, I use cross-bar pads and tight straps now.
I use the red bungie mesh with integral hooks (whatever that thing is called) to keep stuff in the back of the truck when the shell is off. I would imagine that it would work great over a basket on the roof of the car.

Different towers for my wife's car, but same accessories.

Got a set of like-keyed locks too. Ten towers - one key.

Next camper shell, I'll be looking for installed rails, but will need to compare potential capacities. The add-on gutters are cheap and easy if you're willing to drill through a new fiberglass shell.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I bought the Yakima OverHaul HD system and their JayLow kayak holders for my wife, and she loves them.

 

[PVHunter]

I have Yakima rails on one truck and Thule edge blades (rails) on the other.

• I've been happy with the Thule ski rack, although I'll often drop skis into a covered box for long haul drives in the winter
• I have the older version of this Yakima box
• Have one of these boxes from Thule, too (again a slightly older model in grey)

I'd considered a basket for the top, but ended up buying a Pakmule instead and combine a pakmule with a box(es) when the need arises.

They're small nits, but I prefer the lock and handle mechanisms on the Yakima boxes to the lock mechanisms on the Thule box (they've been much flakier and I've actually had them jam in the past).

With that said, I prefer the attachment mechanisms in the Thule boxes. This is only a consideration if you imagine you''ll be moving / swapping boxes with some frequency.

Not sure how far back your rails are set on the cover, but I like to set my rails closer to the rear wheels so that I can access the boxes by stepping onto the rear tire (I'm not lugging a step ladder around for that purpose).

I'd also look at box width if you ever think you'd mount them side by side (for big summer trips with the whole family plus our dogs, coolers, etc. we'll mount two boxes and put a Pakmule on the back).