roof racks and how they mount

[PCYC]

how is the fitment of roof racks, does anyone have close up pictures of a yakamina thule and oem racks, where is the chepest place to buy a rack. i am need to carry a bike(maybe a kayak in a year or two). i would also like a rack that is easy to remove too. i have a sedan. any advice other than what i found with my search would be great. iam really want a low profile with factory mounting points. do after market racks use the points as well? thanks again

[Monchichi8]

The Thule Rack system is the way to go.They affix to the car using a nice rubber coated L-bracket that goes between your upper inside door seal and your roof. No leaks, no problems and everything stays nice and secure. I carry 2 50lbs Downhill bikes on the top of mine going 80 with zero worries. I'll try and get a pic for you.

[wwb4]

The Thule Rack system is the way to go.They affix to the car using a nice rubber coated L-bracket that goes between your upper inside door seal and your roof. No leaks, no problems and everything stays nice and secure. I carry 2 50lbs Downhill bikes on the top of mine going 80 with zero worries. I'll try and get a pic for you.

I too would be interested in seeing a pic(s).

[yakendo]

Is there a specific Thule model number? I would love to see some pics too!

Wow-50LBS each- I always wondered about the weight of a DH rig...the combined weight of both my XC full disc bikes is 45lbs

[Monchichi8]

Heres a pic of my old Thule Rack and B5. You can see where the L-bracket comes off of one of the actual feet that support the weight of the rack. Basicly, the L-bracket sits between your door and the roof but is gets tighten down in a nut and bolt type of way.

[stylesx]

Heres a pic of my old Thule Rack and B5. You can see where the L-bracket comes off of one of the actual feet that support the weight of the rack. Basicly, the L-bracket sits between your door and the roof but is gets tighten down in a nut and bolt type of way.

Does it damage the rubber molding on the door?

[s4buckeye]

Some of the best prices can be found at:

http://www.rutabaga.com/rackhaus.asp?shift=

I have always used Yakima racks and find them generally more versatile and better fitting than Thule racks. Yakimas are made in Arcata, CA and Thules are made in Sweden.

Go to each manufacturer's website and check it out, and better yet, go to a dealer that offers both and fit it up before you buy.

[Monchichi8]

Does it damage the rubber molding on the door?

nope.not at all.

[SoCalS4Avant]

You just need an Avant - makes it much easier to put racks on! Also, do a search for channad. Channa just put a Thule box on, and would have some insight into this.

[channad]

Thanks for the intro dan!

okay, so yes...I bought the Audi rails, I figured I should get it from the manufacturer of the car. Cost $80 more than Thule bars. Although, you'd still have to buy the different attachments for different applications. I have some pics below, but the are not close ups. I have to install my rack today as I'm leaving for Tahoe tomorrow. I'll take some pics of the install points and post them up later.



here's the link with my review:

http://audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260038

[Kevin7]

Got the official Audi rack, which I think is made by Thule. Works great (and easy on/off). Threw a big Thule carrier box up there for last weekend's Tahoe trip. Audible wind noise above 60 mph or so; but nothing a little good tunes can't drown out!

[SoCalS4Avant]

I'll concur with Kevin's statement about windnoise. I get it about 70ish...I just turn up the radio if it gets annoying. Really, though, it's not that bad.

And Channa, what way did you decide to head up? My friends tell me it's been dumping up there.

[stylesx]

Have any of you tried to install the thule wind fairing to see if it helps. They dont actually make it for the car but i hear they can be fitted. I was thinking of this for mine but wasnt sure on the size

[SoCalS4Avant]

Styles - I've heard bad things about those wind fairings...specifically, that they've caused damage by rubbing, coming off at speed, etc. I know some of the Avant community has made them work though.

[s4buckeye]

The fairing is way below the profile of the box on these racks. It will not help, but it helps to a small extent when you have only skis or other low profile stuff. It is more cosmetic and a place for stickers than anything else.

[Stevelev]

Agree that Avants work best. More to the point, no problems with the fairing and I've done 75-80 mph with zero issues. Here's an old pic when it was on my B6.

[QTC]

Here's the L-bracket for the Thule (sorry, horrible picture, but its better than nothing). There's a little "bump" on the bracket that fits into a pinhole on the upper frame by the door.

[Kevin7]

P.S. I love the roof box; just got into it recently. No more bugs on boards, everything locks up nicely, easy on/off, can throw more than boards up there (i.e. boots), etc.

[B18b1ex]

I got the Aero bars and the fairing, without it the wind noise was much louder. I'm not sure about the Audi bars but the VW bars are taller.

[channad]

P.S. I love the roof box; just got into it recently. No more bugs on boards, everything locks up nicely, easy on/off, can throw more than boards up there (i.e. boots), etc.

Exactly why I got the box! 3 Boards and 3 sets of boots...you can put 4 boards in there with 1 set of boots...also, we put the extra groceries in there as well.

Anyway, here are the pictures...









What I've heard is that the door seal will take on the shape of the rack's locking mechanism. This will add more wind noise when the rack is removed...after prolonged use, like 4 or 5 years. Especially if you go from warm weather to freezing cold weather. It is recommended that you take the rack off your car when you're not using it. This is also to help mpg. word.

[B18b1ex]

Exactly why I got the box! 3 Boards and 3 sets of boots...you can put 4 boards in there with 1 set of boots...also, we put the extra groceries in there as well.

Anyway, here are the pictures...









What I've heard is that the door seal will take on the shape of the rack's locking mechanism. This will add more wind noise when the rack is removed...after prolonged use, like 4 or 5 years. Especially if you go from warm weather to freezing cold weather. It is recommended that you take the rack off your car when you're not using it. This is also to help mpg. word.

Your bars seem about an inch or two higher than the thule Aero bars.

[isb]

Is there a good online place to get the Audi bars, or should I just help make the Stealership's current boat payment?

[channad]

Is there a good online place to get the Audi bars, or should I just help make the Stealership's current boat payment?

try ebay, you may find som...$326 buy it now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...Q5fAccessories

be careful on ebay...make sure you're getting parts for your year car....sometimes the stock pictures are all the same. Make sure you check out the description.

[isb]

I looked around a bit and searched Craigslist. Found a Thule setup with 400XTR posts, Rapid Aero bars, Peloton bike racks, Fairing and Audi fit kit for just under 50% new including shipping. The fairing got a bit scratched in transit. Crappy cell phone photos from the trailhead last night (yes, it was muddy and I need to hold off for the spring thaw to end. Just too hard to resist when the mercury gets above 60)!