What is the difference between yakima and thule

However, these racks are pricier. The Yakima racks are more budget-friendly and offer the basic functionality expected of car racks. The racks made by these two companies look very similar. What makes them different from each other are their features and their prices. But in terms of quality and customer service, they are on equal footing.

Read on to learn more about the racks made by Thule and Yakima, their features and differences, and which of the two is the better brand. Also, take a look at the best Thule roof rack, the Thule Evo Clamp, on Amazon to see its price and great reviews:.

Click here to see it on Amazon. Basically, the racks made by Thule are more stylish with lots of functionality. But these added features make them more expensive than the racks produced by Yakima. The racks made by Yakima are more affordable. They are also functional but have fewer accessories than the racks of Thule. The racks of Yakima have exceptional value because they are available at affordable prices without sacrificing their quality. They fulfill the same purpose, without the glitters.

They are the result of combining artistic vision with engineering. The racks produced by Thule are more than metal bars. They are engineered with special designs and high-quality materials. So, while they sit on top of the car, they can support huge amounts of weight using only a few contact points. Roof racks made of cheaper materials are not as strong and durable. Such racks may bend on first use, and you are forced to repair or even replace them.

That means additional cost. So, good and sturdy vehicle racks are worth the extra money. While these two brands compete in the vehicle racks market, they seem to have their own specialties. However, when it comes to bike racks, truck racks, and crossbars, the brand that most consumers prefer is Yakima. There is one good thing about this Yakima vs. Thule issue: their racks can be interchanged.

Vehicle accessories such as bike racks, roof baskets, cargo boxes, and kayak racks made by Thule will work on the crossbars made by Yakima and vice versa. If they have the same crossbar shape and the same attachment style of the accessory to the crossbars, you can interchange the racks of Thule with the racks of Yakima. But to be sure, you need to check the details. Erik Thulin established thule in in Hillerstorp, Sweden.

Aside from Sweden, Thule has operations in the United States. This company is the leading manufacturer of car rack products in the U. Their products are made both in Sweden and the United States. Thule has two factories in the U. Yakima started its car rack production in in the United States, particularly in Yakima, Washington. The company has relocated its facilities several times as it grew over the years. It has partnered with Toyota in sponsoring outdoor team events.

Yakima offers rack products that are affordable but are also durable. This company is now producing its vehicle racks in different locations. Yakima also make cargo boxes and perform final fitting on several products at their factory in Southern California. Bike racks are common vehicle accessories.

Roof racks are ideal since they can be easily adjusted to fit different bikes and wheel sizes:. Below, we pick which company we think makes the better product in each of three categories: crossbars, bike racks, and cargo baskets.

Crossbars are the basis for any roof rack system because they act as a foundation for how racks are attached. Yakima kills the competition with the Flushbar. It weighs only four pounds, which is important because some systems can weigh down a car and negatively affect fuel economy. And it comes with a lifetime warranty. These crossbars, too, are excellent noise reducers. Bike racks are common car accessories. These brands are some of the most revered on the market in roof racks and other roof components.

Towers form an integral part of the roof rack system. But, they have to be installed on raised side rails. Bad luck for those with a naked roof. There are alternatives, however, for each roof type. Most of these installations can be DIY. I have highlighted the important features to look at when shopping. Also covered are common questions posed regarding roof racks. I've loved cars since I got my first car, an old Ford Escort when I was sixteen. I'm always looking for the next big thing in the industry, and I'm always happy to share it with others with product guides, reviews, and useful tips.

Your email address will not be published. Who Makes Self-Driving Cars? Are They The Same Thing? Check Latest Price. Yakima versus Thule Comparison Having a roof rack on your vehicle brings you many benefits for off-road journeys where you will need extra storage. See more reviews. Check latest price. The pack includes 4 feet that provide maximum rack strength on your car. They car rubber coated to prevent scratches on your roof. What also impresses is that the feet will not slide to expose your luggage to damages.

They attach snuggly on the roof. Note that the maximum load is pounds 75 kilograms. Quality roof rack foot pack that attaches easily Rubber-coated steel strap to help install with ease Maximum load of pounds is impressive Can be locked.

Locks sold separately Does not fit all Thule bars, only square bars. These feet are very nice and sturdy. They attach with ease onto my raised railings and that makes it even more convenient for novice vehicle owners. They will hold your square bars securely and you can also lock them with separately sold locks. With the maximum capacity of pounds kg , these towers are stronger than the aforementioned Thule foot pack. You get a set of 4 TimberLine Towers to attach onto your rails.

More to that, they come with stainless steel straps to accommodate a variety of bars such as JetStream, RoundBar and CoreBar. Noting the difference with Thule foot pack again, these towers are versatile as the aforementioned Thule product works well with square bars only. Versatile towers to fit a variety of bars Lockable with the SKS system Attaches seamlessly and effortlessly onto raised side rails Advanced tower architecture and strong design Lifetime warranty.

Relatively expensive, but nonetheless worth it Keys sold separately. I have experience in using Yakima products for over 7 years. It was the first time using this product line and I must say I was impressed with it. It has a unique design and it installs quickly with the provided instructions.

The downside is that it does not come with its keys to lock it, but then buying them is still not that too expensive. Are Thule roof racks universal? Where are Thule Racks made?

How do you remove a Thule rack? Where are Yakima roof racks made? Can you put roof racks on any car? What will a roof rack do to your car? Do roof racks use more petrol? What to look for when purchasing roof racks? Does it fit my vehicle? What are the roof types? What is the build material of the roof rack? What kind of items will I store on my roof racks? Other features Summary. Although they fit most of the vehicles, Thule Racks are not a universal fit for all vehicles.

In fact, roof racks are make, year and model specific. Having roof racks increases air resistance and thus has an adverse impact on your fuel consumption and how you handle the car.

It is therefore important to remove the roof racks when they are not in use. You have to take into account how is the roof rack going to attach onto the vehicle you plan to mount.

Also noteworthy is the sun roof on cars. Manufacturers discourage against installing racks directly on the roof; at least raise the racks to allow clearance underneath. To make life easier, always take off the roof racks when not in use to reduce the aerodynamic drag.