Rhino Rack vs Yakima Crossbars, Towers/Feet for Canopy with Rails

[lazynorse]

For truck canopies with tracks/rails, it seems Rhino, Yakima and Thule all have x3 pieces required to achieve crossbars: some base piece that bolts to the rail/track, a tower/foot that attaches to the base then the crossbars. They all operate essentially the same.

Rhino offers those x3 pieces for a couple hundred less than Yakima, plus locks included which are extra on Yakima. Rhino's aero-style bars are similar to Yakima but carry more weight.

I can't find a good reason to go with Yakima or Thule. They all apparently accept one another's accessories, t-slot capable, etc. Any experience here?

Btw, finding the right base piece, foot/tower etc is frustrating!

Sponsored

 

[Mostly Harmless]

I have Rhino RTL600 with their vortex bars. They are well made and easy to install. Have no regrets going with Rhino.

 

[Gazmic]

I have Yakima overhaul HD's. I didn't have to buy locks for extra. You might have to pay extra if you want accessories keyed alike to your rack. The racks are pricey though.

I don't think all T slots are the same. I couldn't find the ones for the overhaul and bought some Thule T bolts. Had to take a grinder to the tabs.

If you want to check out the Yakima setup, I'd be happy to meet up on a weekend if you're near King County.

 

[khyros]

It all depends on what you're looking to get out of your setup. From what I can tell, Rhino doesn't have a tower option - just a bedrail choice. So if we're taking that as what you're looking for... it looks like the options are as follows:

Rhino Vortex Bar + RLT600 + Quick Mount Fit Kit* = $505
165lbs load rating

Rhino Heavy Duty Bar + Quick Mount Adapter + RLT600 + Quick Mount Fit Kit* = $545
220lbs load rating

Thule Rapid Podium** ($250) + WingBar Evo ($250, 220lbs) / AeroBlade ($300?, 165lb)/ SquareBar Evo ($140, 220lbs) / ProBar Evo ($170, 220lbs)

Yakima Skyline Towers ($245) + JetStream ($245, 165lbs) / CoreBar ($195, 220lbs)/ RoundBar ($125, 165lbs) / HD Bar SL Adapter + HD Bar*** ($40 + $320, 3/500lbs)


*I'm not quite sure what all that provides, it looks like hardware and foam. Not sure if it's worth it, but whatever.

**I had to kinda guess at the Thule aspect, but it seems like it works like that.

***I think that combo works, but not 100% sure. Also, I believe I saw somewhere that the rating with the t rail adapter pack for the overhaul was reduced to 180lbs... but I'm not sure on that, or on how it would affect that foot pack. The BedRock specifically says 300lbs.



So, the main thing seems to be the weight rating, 165lbs, 220lbs, or 3/500lbs (maybe). It doesn't seem like there are really any systems *designed* specifically for t track bed covers, the Rhino seems to be the closest. I'm not quite sure where you're seeing that Rhino is a couple hundred cheaper though.

And if we're not talking about t track systems, but bed height, I would 100% say go with the Yakima BedRock. Assuming you can find it in stock. I would personally stay away from Thule at this point in their company career - they seem (to me, as this is my opinion) to have the R&D to support the features and ease-of-use stuff that the competitors have these days, and they still charge top dollar. I would also always stay away from round bars, too many issues with those to ever recommend them, and they have zero place on a flat surface (the Round bars are why I used to recommend against Yakima, but their HD bars are AWESOME).

 

[halligan1201]

I don't know if the t-tracks are the same but here is the guide to the stuff all three make that works with the Retrax t-tracks. I'd think it would be the same because Retrax specifically built their track to work with the existing accessories out there.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

For what it’s worth, I have Rhino Rack legs mounted directly through the roof of my canopy with the Pioneer Platform attached directly to the legs - the platform is built using crossbars as part of the structure. It’s the lowest profile combo I could come up with. If you don’t already have the tracks installed on your canopy, you might consider the same.

 

[WOADKIL]

Yakima round bars...

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I have Front Runner track, feet, risers and oval crossbars for my DiamondBack HD tonneau. I also built another set of riser and bars that use the Front Runner feet using bulk extruded aluminum and generic brackets, but are ~12 inches high so my spare can sit on the tonneau under the racks.

 

[lazynorse]

I’ll order my Snugtop canopy with the rails/tracks pre installed. They’re either Yakima or Thule, can’t remember.

The Rhino components accommodate Yakima or Thule rails and the needed hardware is the same as Yakima- a base mount or ‘foot’ that mounts to the track, a base or ‘tower’ that mounts to the ‘foot,’ then your choice of crossbars, most like the aero style.

I believe the Rhino foot, tower and crossbars are cheaper than those three Yakima equivalent components, from my math.

All the companies use different names for foot, tower and crossbars- well, crossbars are obvious.

If my math is right, the (edited) Rhino x3 components needed for pre installed canopy rails/tracks is a little cheaper than Yakima. Leaning towards Rhino for this reason.

It all depends on what you're looking to get out of your setup. From what I can tell, Rhino doesn't have a tower option - just a bedrail choice. So if we're taking that as what you're looking for... it looks like the options are as follows:

Rhino Vortex Bar + RLT600 + Quick Mount Fit Kit* = $505
165lbs load rating

Rhino Heavy Duty Bar + Quick Mount Adapter + RLT600 + Quick Mount Fit Kit* = $545
220lbs load rating

Thule Rapid Podium** ($250) + WingBar Evo ($250, 220lbs) / AeroBlade ($300?, 165lb)/ SquareBar Evo ($140, 220lbs) / ProBar Evo ($170, 220lbs)

Yakima Skyline Towers ($245) + JetStream ($245, 165lbs) / CoreBar ($195, 220lbs)/ RoundBar ($125, 165lbs) / HD Bar SL Adapter + HD Bar*** ($40 + $320, 3/500lbs)


*I'm not quite sure what all that provides, it looks like hardware and foam. Not sure if it's worth it, but whatever.

**I had to kinda guess at the Thule aspect, but it seems like it works like that.

***I think that combo works, but not 100% sure. Also, I believe I saw somewhere that the rating with the t rail adapter pack for the overhaul was reduced to 180lbs... but I'm not sure on that, or on how it would affect that foot pack. The BedRock specifically says 300lbs.



So, the main thing seems to be the weight rating, 165lbs, 220lbs, or 3/500lbs (maybe). It doesn't seem like there are really any systems *designed* specifically for t track bed covers, the Rhino seems to be the closest. I'm not quite sure where you're seeing that Rhino is a couple hundred cheaper though.

And if we're not talking about t track systems, but bed height, I would 100% say go with the Yakima BedRock. Assuming you can find it in stock. I would personally stay away from Thule at this point in their company career - they seem (to me, as this is my opinion) to have the R&D to support the features and ease-of-use stuff that the competitors have these days, and they still charge top dollar. I would also always stay away from round bars, too many issues with those to ever recommend them, and they have zero place on a flat surface (the Round bars are why I used to recommend against Yakima, but their HD bars are AWESOME).

 

[JimJ]

For what it’s worth, I have Rhino Rack legs mounted directly through the roof of my canopy with the Pioneer Platform attached directly to the legs - the platform is built using crossbars as part of the structure. It’s the lowest profile combo I could come up with. If you don’t already have the tracks installed on your canopy, you might consider the same.

What manufacturer is your canopy? I have a 22 FX4 super cab on the way!

 

[J Haggerty (RADAR1)]

Yakima round bars...

That's what I hope to do with my Yakima crossbars. I installed Yakima feet on my Dakota, and added Yakima tracks to my Durango so I can use my round bars with the boat loader.
Haven't mustered the courage to drill holes in the roof of the Ranger yet, did you use feet, or tracks on your roof, and any suggestions for placement?

 

[WOADKIL]

Rada1:

Had it installed by rack shop. Not cheap but same install on my F150 lasted 16 yrs no probs!

They used a blind waterproof threaded insert.
Hauls my yaks and SUPs just fine!

Good luck!

 

[BettaRanga]

I have Rhino RTL600 with their vortex bars. They are well made and easy to install. Have no regrets going with Rhino.

Any road noise or whistling from them?

 

[Mostly Harmless]

Any road noise or whistling from them?

I haven't noticed anything in the months I have it on.

Sponsored