Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you in differentiating Thule and Yakima and hopefully, we become your magnifying glass to see the difference between them. JackL. It has adjustable arms and they have rubber padding that protects your gear. Aerodynamics have been considered great in the production of the Yakima FatCat EVO 6 Ski and Snowboard Carrier. This will help you save up time in looking for the best ski rack to secure your skis during transport. These push-buttons are easy to use even with your gloves on. Make sure you are aware that they can be swapped out to make all your Thule products keyed alike. Go for a rack that mounts up easily. The only problem with them is that they completely prevent the brackets from being tightend down. Both brands make the best ski racks and sometimes their product may seem to be almost identical to each other. not too sure about those two models…but if it is between Thule square bars and Yakima round bars, I’d take Thule every time. This method allows you to mount it on your crossbar’s top channel. Yakima HitchSki Snowboard contests with their 2-positioned upper arms and adjustable lower arms that can accommodate any skis and snowboards. We picked two of the most popular hitch-mounted bike racks, both of which are designed to haul bikes without removing wheels or scratching up the paint, and mounted them to two Mountain Bike Action vehicles.. Tech features: Both the Thule T2 and Yakima Holdup racks are … Locking systems are essential, so you can enjoy taking that 15-minute break from a long drive at the nearest gas station. This Yakima rack takes the whole gamut of Yakima accessories for kick ass multi-sport compatibility, and features heavy-duty construction that can hold up to 300 … I have narrowed my rack decision for my 97 Nissan pickup down to the Yakima Outdoorsman 300 Compact or the Thule Xsporter Compact. Thule vs Yakima – Who Makes the Best Kayak Rack? Even harder for cars that are not big enough to carry skis. I don’t want them to rotate. But, if this is your first time to hear these names, read on. Take a look at the racks that kayak manufacturers have custom built! Have had no problems, except for having to lift my yak up to place into the J. It holds them from rattling and shaking at any driving speeds. 3.0 (2) View the 2 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars. Either way, having your ski rack attached to the hitch helps you reduce concerns about wind drags. I’ll take my toy one and go home now! Same as a cheap one doesn’t always mean it’s a knock-off. For a buyer’s guide, we will use the following factors to compare and differentiate the two of the biggest rivals in the ski rack manufacturing. It isn’t fun to have to spend so many hours trying to figure out how to fit all your gears to your vehicle. Yakima, on the other hand, is more on allowing you to survey options and go with what looks best. All four models are high-quality and can make a great aid to your ski hauling needs. No judgment is better than that, that has been personally experienced. Joined: Dec 26, 2009 Member: #28169 Messages: 447 Gender: Male Montana Vehicle: 2011 TRD Offroad 6 spd Double Cab. The Tram Ski and Snowboard Carrier has hinged arms that open easily with large push-buttons. It is the snow gears we are talking about. New Yakima Outdoorsman 300 – Full Size. There are far too many manufacturers of ski racks in the market. While you want to make sure your skis can be effortlessly loaded and unloaded to and from your racks, it shouldn’t be the same case to thieves and robbers. These ski racks need to be made of the most suitable materials. 25 Sep 2016 The Yakima Outdoorsman 300 … That’s why you have your ski rack. Chose it because it fits the factory rack on my Subaru Forester, and seemed like a good deal at $80. These materials should be durable enough to withstand any weather conditions. These releases the arms in an upward motion, so you’d be able to lie down your ski or snowboard and tuck them in safely. No noise, whistling, wind resistance and high fuel consumption because it’s at the back. Thule SnowPack is fitted with Thule’s One-Key System. Refer to the table below to get a brief overview of Thule and Yakima ski racks. And it cost about $400. Thule is dedicated to providing exceptional products that are quality tested and guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship. I too have owned several Yakima and Thule systems. The next generation of roof racks. The Yakima Outdoorsman 300 comes in two different sizes to help accommodate the various trucks available on the … Research, read reviews or try to visit physical stores to get a feel of these ski racks to really find out which one is better. They are bulky, long and just simply can’t be made to fit into small spaces. It also causes whistling at certain driving speeds. Carry skis and snowboards with larger bindings. Have other Thule racks? Put it back and clamp it down securely. After all, you already spent a dime on your skis, why not spend a little more to protect them? Thanks. With canoes, this can mean potential damage to the gunwales from the corner or the crossbar. Their ski and snowboard mounts get you and all your gears to the mountains with ease and comfort. We are sure you have invested in a sleek pair of skis that will make you the next professional skier. These locks guarantee the security of your skis and snowboards. Whatever you secure to the Yakima bars tend to rotate over time. Its smart vertical spring system provides the carrier with a low profile which in turn improves aerodynamics. 00 YAKIMA, Outpost HD, Mid-Height Heavy Duty Truck Bed Rack 4.7 out of 5 stars 52 You can design the rack to accomodate accessories from factory systems. Check your owner’s manual to find out its over-all weight capacity to know the type and quantity of gear it can take along. As much as we all love to hop in on a winter road trip with your valuable skis, it can be challenging. Yakima Outdoorsman 300 Towers - Pair. The Tram’s upper arms rest onto the bike cradles and are held in place with the rubber straps. At $170.00 versus $430.00 for the Xsporter, it'sd also a better deal. I don’t recall putting cars down, or making any references to trucks being manly. Personally, I can’t ride a BMX bike anymore because I’ll hurt myself, and I run 3.8-inch tires on my fat bike, so the Yakima fits … I took it out of the box in the store and it's super-solid and heavy duty. Thule T2 Pro is $294.18 more expensive than an average car bike rack ($155.77). The cylinders may be swapped out, so you can only need one Thule key for all your Thule racks. The low-profile Thule Edge system offers a sleek, integrated design, while the Thule Evo system maximizes the … You can custom design it to do whatever you require, it will last for years without parts rusting, will have a far better capacity, and be more functional. ($415 vs $360) Then I saw that Yakima is having a $50 rebate on that rack this month which would make the price almost the same. No one likes the annoying wind drag noise on any road trip. Yakima Outdoorsman 300 Ladder Rack with 58" CrossBars for Compact Trucks - Y01136-Y00409 Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars ( 12 Customer Reviews ) Order: Relevance Newest Rating - High to Low Rating - Low to High Keep your truck bed free of cargo and still haul a full load with the Outdoorsman 300. The T-slot method will require you to use their T-Slot Kit, which is sold separately. K. Work or play, every day. What I also might try is getting the Yakima Outdoorsman - their version of the Thule Xsporter. Turn to the Yakima Outdoorsman 300, which carries such items as bikes, kayaks, and camping gear while still leaving your truck bed free to carry other stuff. For simply carrying bikes, I don't have a preference. Simply add it to your current dual-arm, hitch-mounted bike rack. After checking out the head to head comparisons of 4 of Thule and Yakima’s ski racks, we proceed with what you need to look for in getting your gear to help you with your skis hauling. Thule Xsporter Pro Multi-Height Aluminum Truck Rack 500XT $ 799.95 ... Yakima Outdoorsman 300 Fullsize 8001137 $ 209.00 Yakima Outdoorsman 300 Fullsize 8001137. Comparison of Yakima Outdoorsman 300 Ladder Rack with 58" CrossBars for Compact Trucks vs Thule Xsporter Pro Adjustable Height Truck Bed Ladder Rack - Aluminum - 450 lbs - Silver The products we reviewed are both compatible with existing bike racks. One good feature about this carrier is that you can raise it up to about two and a half inches up to accommodate skis with tall bindings. I have for sale a complete set (two pair, or all 4 towers) of the Yakima Outdoorsman 300 compact. Believe it or not, one of the most common causes of kayak damage is not by using them but by transporting them. They include rubber washers instead of lock washers, and then when you try and tighten the the phillips head bolts down, the washers have so much play that they work they way over the head of the bolt. What’s next after putting up your ski rack? Thule Tram Ski and Snowboard Carrier (Item TH9033), Yakima HitchSki Snowboard and Ski Carrier (Item Y02418), Thule hitch-mounted bike racks and Thule spare tire bike racks, Yakima hitch mounted, dual arm style carriers (mostly those that are 4 and 5 bike models), for 2″ hitches: 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. What I experienced was rusty non-stainless fasteners, weak cross bars etc. Install by using the existing cradles and rubber straps. Ski racks from Thule give you quick, easy-to-use, and secure transportation for your skis. It is also nice to have a ski rack that complements your vehicle’s style, so you might as well consider its aesthetic features. Check the materials the ski rack is built with and base your decision from there. The biggest difference between Thule (and the standard Rhino Rack stuff) and Yakima is that Thule is required to be crash tested in the EU (since it is a Swedish company). They worked great for my canoe. I agree with the rubber washers… the bolt head goes right down through them if you get them too tight. I've been using Thule and Yakima products for well over 25 or 30 years. Not a lot of brands in the rack industry offer a selection as wide as Thule’s. If raw alloy looks ugly to you, have it powder coated for $100! This spring system has an ultra-soft rubber that helps fasten skis and snowboards in place. If you're serious about the great outdoors, check out Yakima's Outdoorsman 300. Variation Yakima Outdoorsman 300 – Full Size with one more merchandise is, the merchandise Yakima Outdoorsman 300 – Full Size has been examined by a team of authorities in their discipline and Yakima Outdoorsman 300 – Full Size already experienced. Working like a clip, Thule has an oversized push-button at the edge of each arm. The website tells you which Outdoorsman will work best for which truck. The only thing I don't like is the price, but the quality is there. Thule SnowPack Ski and Snowboard Carrier is a low-profile carrier that can carry up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. The yakima Outdoorsamn is a little bit less substantal than the xsporter but having worked with both i’d send the extra money. After all, most searches boil down to these two brands. Thule Hull-a-portsBought one of these at NJ Paddlesport back in the spring. By HOOKDADDY - Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:34 am - Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:34 am #690622. $ 209.00 The Outdoorsman mounts to your truck bed without drilling. The Tram package includes with it a Thule One-Key lock core on each hinged arm. It uses cradles and straps and cushions your snow gears for added protection. The vast majority of vehicles out there have supported roof rack fits from both Yakima and Thule. This helps in preventing wind drag and increased fuel usage. Having your ski racks on top of your vehicle makes it feel more like it is one with the car. Creates a Yakima truck rack system for your full-size pickup truck. Then after you have them as tight as you can get them, and put the kayak on, you can’t tighten them any more since the phillips head which is now under the kayak turns when you tighten the knurled knob which is on the bottom. Anyone with experience with these two products please provide some input to help me decide. With all the brands out in the market, we narrowed it down to the two of the finest names, Thule and Yakima. According to Yakima here's your answer: The Outdoorsman 300 racks come in compact size (26 inches tall) and full size (29 inches tall). Post Reply. They are the giants in rack industry and the ski racks they have come up with really lives up to every skier’s needs. Easy as 1, 2, 3. So my same “toy” rack has beenon four different vehicles over the past fifteen years, while your “custom built” one is good for one vehicle. Like Thule, Yakima FatCat EVO raises its arm up, so you can slide in your winter gears. At that time, I believe, their products were made in the USA. Then I noticed that www.rackattack.com is having a 20% off sale on Yakima racks this month. The Thule setup, without having to buy new rollers/cradles is about $630. This design prevents anyone from stealing it. It's in the top 3 bestselling car bike racks and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Kuat NV 2 Bike N106 or Saris Superclamp EX. You don’t see these guys using toy store bought junk. I just bought two sets of Thule Hull-a-ports. Clamp it down to keep them in place. The push-buttons are not hard to operate you can do so even with thick and heavy gloves on. Yakima Outdoorsman 300 Full size - truck bed rack NEW! I am having a hard time deciding between the two. Kind of makes me wonder about Thule? Both are durable and hold up well for carrying bikes. How your ski rack mounts to your vehicle is the biggest puzzle and its mounting system should help you with setting it up and putting it down effortlessly. Rack shops that carry both brands will know which works best on your car. How easy it is to get things stored and moved plays a huge role in being able to consume less time loading and unloading. Not in mine, since…They are on the top of a pick up truck, and I want to slide the yaks on from the back. I am having a hard time deciding between the two. Their racks secure gears with their Same Key System locking cores. It also has raisers that keep your roof from skis coming in direct contact. I've owned both a Thule and Yakima. A person ought to ascertain very first if the calculator makes use of the inch … Meanwhile, Yakima HitchSki Snowboard installs as a bike would to your bike rack. for 1-1/4″ hitches (Class I and Class II): 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards. Deciding which ski rack to get for your next winter trip needs you to make a thorough assessment of all the information you get from each brand. Cheers, JackL, Custom racksI would srtongly advise you to have a rack custom welded for your truck. These releases the arms in an upward motion, so you’d be able to lie down your ski or snowboard and tuck them in safely. Its vertical spring system can contain thick snowboards. Mine can hold all my toy holders, such as my ski racks, my bike racks and my yak saddles. Make sure you get them into the position you want them to be. The carrier lets you carry up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards with reduced wind noise and drag. We upload hundreds of AD FREE videos to help make your rack shopping easy...we want to make your PURCHASE easy too! I have had this for about 3 months, and it is in like new condition. They also included some half inch long plastic bushing spacers, which the instructions specifically said were for use with the Yakama bars. Thule SnowPack Ski and Snowboard Carrier installs with its SpeedLink universal mounting system. Yakima Outdoorsman 300 (MD) Discussion in 'Buy / Sell / Trade' started by Tim A, Apr 1, 2010. Yakima 300 Outdoorsman Roof Rack. The keyholes in the carrier’s arms, as well as the SpeedLink mounting assembly, are keyed alike, so there’s only one key needed. Tim A [OP] Well-Known Member. That’s right, loading them with your skis. It should match your vehicle. Product Comparison. Way stronger. Cheers, Cheers, Thule and Yakima Ski Racks’ price range from $26.00 to $400.00. YAKIMA OUTDOORSMAN 300 MANUAL >> DOWNLOAD YAKIMA OUTDOORSMAN 300 MANUAL >> READ ONLINE yakima outdoorsman 300 compact yakima overhaul hd review yakima outdoorsman 300 vs thule xsporter yakima outdoorsman 300 parts yakima overhaul hd yakima overhaul rack low profile truck bed rackyakima bedrock. Thule specializes in ski racks that are style specific. Poor materials also lead to noisy ski racks. Did not mean to offendJust offering an option for a truck owner. Not the one that makes you want to cancel your trip instead. Check our other articles on Thule vs Yakima Bike Racks and Best Drop Hitches for Lifted Trucks! Or, Yakima’s built-in SkiLift riser that allows tall bound snowboards that Thule has yet to allow. This adds aesthetics while keeping it durable and corrosion-resistant. Fabrication should consider the elimination of rattles and whistles as you drive at any speed. Be on the lookout of its own benefits that aren’t on the other. I got all kinds of useless hardware, which I guess is some newly graduated mechanical engineer’s claim to fame. Like Thule’s big push-button that Yakima doesn’t have on their hitch-mounted racks. If you are a true-blooded outdoor enthusiast, you will know how Thule and Yakima get its name on most reviews of the best outdoor gears. Mounting your ski racks should not be a grueling task but a seamless modification. The long and narrow design is useful as I can still fit a Thule Prologue bike tray and wheel holder on the roof (50" load bars) The Thule Ascent design has a 2 sets of clam-shell clamps that will work with an aero roof bar, the Thule square load bars or the round Yakima style, in general about anybodies load bars, aero or … Perhaps they are better these days? So, if you own a truck you can pay big $ for corporate overhead and marketing, or pay a fabricator directly and get a superior product. K . On the other hand, the Thule will let you carry nearly the same range and adjusts to suit each size in a fraction of the time that it takes to find the tools you need to do the same with the 1Up. I say toy because I have not been too impressed with the durability of these products long term. I Endorse Thule Because I Own Yakimas"Eeny-meeny-miney-moe…", Just don’t try to mix and match !I have been a yakama owner for years, (saddles, gunwhale brackets, bike holders, and ski racks) You may be up to the coldest mountains one minute and down to the hottest desert as you drive down further. So I decided to turn my rack into a mixed case: With Yakima’s razzle-dazzle bike tray mounted alongside fresh produce from Thule, I set out to see which of these powerhouses deserves the champion’s … Thule and Yakima both took advantage of the technology improving locking systems, so there is a lot to watch out for from these two. Thule vs Yakima – Who Makes the Best Ski Rack. If you have a car…well, buy whichever toy rack fits your car the best. Ski Racks are great investments if you are the kind who takes to the mountain and enjoys snowy adventures. This is mounted to your hitch so there’s not much concern about wind drag and noise. Simply put the cradles into place and strap them down. For trucks, have the rack encase the canopy and bear on the bed rails. With J cradles the round bars let the cradles rotate so both cradles can conform to the shape of the hull. Professional skier we earn from qualifying purchases shaking at any driving speeds the! 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