Thule Car Top Carriers

or however that dang word is written! : ) Use this forum to discuss those things that are related to, directly, or indirectly, fly fishing, i.e., tackle, catalogs, single malt scotch, cigar preferences, pipes, camera gear, etc. This is sort of an off topic area but one related to bamboo and fly fishing.

Moderators: czkid, Whitefish Press

Post Reply
billems
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1620
Joined: 05/11/06 18:00

Thule Car Top Carriers

#1

Post by billems »

Considering the purchase of a Thule car-top carrier. I'd like to hear remarks from the owners--experiences both good and bad.

User avatar
bobk
Master Guide
Posts: 407
Joined: 01/30/07 19:00
Location: 40o 10’37.71” N ~ 74o 27’20.14” W

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#2

Post by bobk »

Model number or picture would be helpful. I have had Thule racks to carry my kayak and then my bike and thought they were great.

User avatar
carl otto
Master Guide
Posts: 863
Joined: 01/31/10 19:00
Location: Michigan

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#3

Post by carl otto »

Yes, it would be helpful to know what Thule you are talking about in order to comment?

Carl

User avatar
Loogie
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1124
Joined: 03/13/15 10:38

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#4

Post by Loogie »

Great baggage device! The tough part is remembering that it is loaded and if you try to enter your garage with the Thule on, it will be self critiquing! Dont ask me how I know.

AlexP
Master Guide
Posts: 380
Joined: 08/29/19 14:18
Location: South Minneapolis

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#5

Post by AlexP »

Loogie makes a good point. Make sure you measure the total height and all your parking needs. I work in downtown Minneapolis (Well, not now during the pandemic) and there are a lot of garages in old buildings that their height limitations are an issue. It also applies to some drive thrus.

Tight Lines

User avatar
Drossi
Master Guide
Posts: 552
Joined: 12/21/11 17:41

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#6

Post by Drossi »

I have a soft Thule that I use for family vacations to carry clothes, bed rolls, etc. Works great, can fit a lot of gear including folding camp chairs and folding beach buggy. I wouldn't ever consider putting any of my gear up there though, especially rods or reels.

User avatar
DrLogik
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 3091
Joined: 12/20/04 19:00
Location: The Piedmont region in NC
Contact:

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#7

Post by DrLogik »

I've had two sets of Thule's and one set of Yakima's. The Yakima's were the last racks I had. I think the Yakima's handle more weight better than the Thule's. They don't sag as much under the weight. Maybe it's the difference between a round bar and the rectangular bar of the Thule's.

However, the Thule's usually "look" cooler and have better ski mounts (in my opinion). If I were in the market for new racks, I'd get Yakima's. The major sports I use them for are cycling and canoeing.

The best thing to do is find which ones fit your particular car the best. Maybe even try them out at the store, if they'll let you mount them.

User avatar
GerardH
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1067
Joined: 06/20/19 08:45
Location: Wyoming, MN

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#8

Post by GerardH »

I have a Yakima Sky Box 12 that I purchased for my son's Trailblazer that he hauled his and his teammates' xc skis back when he competed -- 8 pairs of skis plus poles. Easy to throw up on the roof rack and to take down again. It was nice that it could open from either side, it had a positive latching/locking and it worked even when it was -30 degrees and ice on it. We made multiple trips to Ironwood & Houghton, MI and Biwabik, MN for ski races not to mention daily drives from Forest Lake down to Elm Creek, Hyland, and Theodore Wirth for ski practices. Bottom line, I think you get much more value with a Yakima than with a Thule.

My buddy had a Forester with a Yakima and he had a little difficulty opening his back hatch...something to be mindful since you have an Outback as I recall.

User avatar
gaddis
Master Guide
Posts: 428
Joined: 03/07/06 19:00

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#9

Post by gaddis »

They are great. I’ve used one for 30–35 years. The down side is, whenever you buy a new vehicle, you will have to spend a lot of money to get “reThuled”.

Mistermike
Sport
Posts: 64
Joined: 03/03/14 15:58

Re: Thule Car Top Carriers

#10

Post by Mistermike »

The round cross bars on the yakima racks makes them easy to use on multiple vehicles whereas my understanding is that thule are more vehicle specific because the square crossbars provide no adjustability.

Post Reply

Return to “Ephemera, empherma and Ephemerella.....”