Input or REAL TIME experience on these Roof-Rack Trak Slats

I plan to finally get a rack system on my *brand new 97'CRV
I've searched and found these *new tracks for Thule Systems

http://prolineracks.com/proline-roof-end-track-slats.html   

and then put these on it.
http://www.a1-autoracks.com/thule-permanent-430r-rapid-tracker-roof-rack.html

called and spoke to a rep. about the tracking and it's durability(won't fall off/screws pulling out) and he said they've been selling that tracking for years. a few hundred per.yr. and never had customer problems.

I like the look and easy push botton on/off option.....would you do this?
thanks for your time!
Adam

I've got those same tracks on top of my camper shell, but I use the Yakima cross bars instead of Thule. I first had the tracks and bars installed when I was guiding backpacking trips and I have a basket that attaches to the bars that would hold about 100 - 150lbs of gear. Now I have the Yakima J Kayak Racks attached to the tracks and carry two boats on my truck.

I've used those tracks and cross bars for four years now and I've never had a problem. I even loaded them up for a couple trips to Arizona and back traveling at about 75-80 mph. The tracks and cross bar towers are still as solid as the day I first had them installed. I think you've got a good car top system in mind.

-Jay

I have Thule tracks on my shell.  Loving them so far.

I actually have the parts for my track and rack installation in my living room right now. For my campershell I went with yakima tracks, rail rider 1 towers and yakima cross bars. I wanted thule but the price made the difference for me.

-Brian G

Adam, I'm thinking of doing the same (getting rid of my lumber racks). If you plan to go with Thule, we have 'em at Aquan and you get a 15% NCKA discount - Aquan will also set-up the rack for you for free (you just need to make an appointment).

I'm not sure of the brand of track I have but they look similar.  I use the Yakima high towers that are easy on and off.

Off the Rack (or what every their called now) installed the tracks with some type of rivet that hold hundreds of pounds.  It is a nice solution.

Thanks for the quick feedback fellas!  I will be weighing $ options and breakbread soon.

Adam, I'm thinking of doing the same (getting rid of my lumber racks). If you plan to go with Thule, we have 'em at Aquan and you get a 15% NCKA discount - Aquan will also set-up the rack for you for free (you just need to make an appointment).

stand by brah' 

Here are pics for my setup:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,11831.0.html

-Brian G

I use the Yakima tacks on both of my vehicles and love them.  You'll have to be OK with drilling 6 or 7 holes in your roof, but once installed they are bomb-proof.  I have had multiple yaks strapped down and taken 500 mile trips with no problems, often at excessive speeds...  The ones on my Mazda have been on for 3 1/2 years and have faded.  The tracks on the Dakota 4-door faded more quickly (after about 18 months), I think it was because the roof has allot of curvature and it stressed the coating too much, it just faded into a silver-grey color.  Once you go this way and stop ripping up door jams, you'll never go back...

2c

Jim

thanks for the pics Brian...that looks sweet!

and thnx. 2U2 Jim! did you use self-tappers? or did you go all the way through w/nuts&bolts

 i didn't want to be posting a sad story on how *these tracks did not work and *this actually happened to me.


                 

go all the way through if you can.  I used primarily the "t" nuts on the set I put on the Mazda and a few washer/nut combo's.  on my Dakota and a friends 07 Tacoma I dropped the headliner and use 3/4 to 1" washers and lots of silicone.

DO NOT USE SELF TAP SCREWS

DO NOT USE SELF TAP SCREWS

I thought that was important enough to say twice, they will cause rut, rip out at highway speeds and facilitate leakage.  remember, you are putting an unbalanced, non-aerodynamic load on the roof and traveling at 70 mpoh, sometimes in cross winds of 50 mph or more...  NO SELF TAP SCREWS HERE

of course this is just my 2c

I did a write-up for the Mazda when I installed the rails with a slew of pics, if you want I can zip it all together and send it to you, here is the finished product.
Jim

go all the way through if you can.  I used primarily the "t" nuts on the set I put on the Mazda and a few washer/nut combo's.  on my Dakota and a friends 07 Tacoma I dropped the headliner and use 3/4 to 1" washers and lots of silicone.

DO NOT USE SELF TAP SCREWS

DO NOT USE SELF TAP SCREWS

I thought that was important enough to say twice, they will cause rut, rip out at highway speeds and facilitate leakage.  remember, you are putting an unbalanced, non-aerodynamic load on the roof and traveling at 70 mpoh, sometimes in cross winds of 50 mph or more...  NO SELF TAP SCREWS HERE

of course this is just my 2c

I did a write-up for the Mazda when I installed the rails with a slew of pics, if you want I can zip it all together and send it to you, here is the finished product.
Jim

That's the stuff I NEED TO HEAR!  could you send/zip? it to me?  I don't care about the cost of any xtra-hdwre. Just want it to be secure and waterproof.
Thanks for your time!
Adam

I had the Yakima tracks installed on my Snugtop shell in 2000. I had to ditch the Yakima towers and bars for kayak transportation usage (Hully rollers + two kayaks + control towers + rough roads =  round bars that spin in the towers) and adapted Thule towers.

I've been very, very pleased ever since. I still use the Mako saddles and Hully rollers, or go with a bare bar. Tracks were attached with stainless through screws, about one every foot. Were I to do it over again, I'd use a screw every 6 inches in the area of the tracks where the towers are mounted.

Regards,
Scott

Adam I have tracks on my snugtop shell with Thule towers and bars they seemed beefier than the Yakima's. The tracks are thru-bolted like Scotts about 12" centers. Make sure you mount the tracks close to some structural supports so you don't potato chip your roof.

Tracks are gettin laid!..thanx for the input Scott and Mark!