Leer/ARE Thule Yakima Track install

Has anyone installed either the Thule or Yakima tracks on a leer or ARE topper? Specifically asking since I want to put a Prinsu rack on my topper.

 

Here is one thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/installing-yakima-tracks-on-camper-top.483625/

There are many others if you do a search.

 

Thanks! I looked but couldn’t find it.

 

I got the Thule tracks on my Leer topper as an option from the factory, and I installed the Prinsu rack on them.

There's no reason why you can't install the tracks yourself. The thing to keep in mind, if you're going to put on a Prinsu rack, is that the tracks should be 42" apart, center to center. The slanted side should be on the bottom, so that the top is flat. (The mounting bolts should thus be outboard of the thicker "honeycomb" section of the shell.) Use lots of silicone sealant around the mounting bolts.

You might want to leave the rear end caps off the tracks until after you install the rack. Otherwise you'll have to take them off to put the captive nuts in the tracks.

 

Thanks for the info, exactly what I was looking for! Do you know the length of the Thule tracks?

 

For a long bed (6') shell, the tracks are 61" long (including the end caps). The Prinsu long-bed rack actually slightly overhangs the tracks. It has 6 support feet (3 on each side) and 7 crossbars. You attach the feet to the middle crossbar and the next-to-the-ends crossbars. Since the tracks follow the contour of the topper, they are slightly arched, front to back. That means that you have to use 1/4" spacers (stacked fender washers work well) when attaching the end support feet to the tracks.

The tracks are proportionately shorter for a short (5') shell. The Prinsu short-bed topper rack only has 6 crossbars and 4 support feet, so you don't need the spacers.

 

Thanks for all the information, since I’ve got the 5’ bed I’m guessing I’ll need the 54” tracks.