Trouble with Thule Roof Rack, please help SOLVED!!

Got a rack set up off someone on craigslist. Half-Roof/Half-Bed. The bed rack is perfect but this roof rack has been kicking my ass. I finally found some instructions for it and got it mostly dialed in where it it feels solid.

That said two things still don't look right. If you have this rack on your Taco, does it look like this?

1. With the footpad firmly on roof, the inner part of the pad does not make contact with the drip molding.


2. The brackets do not sit in the door frame the way i would expect

 

You sure you've got the right towers, pads and clips on that thing? I've got a Yakima rack on mine, but I know those things are pretty highly customized to each vehicle. If I were you, I'd jump on Thule's Fit Guide and confirm that all the part numbers are right. https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/fit-my-car

 

I’m sure about the towers now. I checked the mode number printed in the part and it matches a pdf for the Tacoma. I DID have the brackets mounted incorrectly. They are supposed to be under the molding so that looks correct now. The foot pad still seem wrong though. Can’t verify a part number but the previous owner had an ‘07. Figured the roof was the same.

 

Check to see if the block is reversible in the base. Might shift it further out onto the drip rail.

 

Thanks but that’s not the issue. The issue is the part of the foot that looks like it’s meant to touch the gutter molding is about an inch away from that. The other part is firmly planted. I’ll post a better pic.

 

Here's the installation guide for the new version of what you've got. file:///Users/jonackleyjelinek/Downloads/Thule_Evo_Clamp_710501_v05.pdf Check out page 11. It looks like you need to gap that pad in a way that keeps the inboard side 3mm inside of the gutter. Sure doesn't seem like much, but maybe that's enough to allow it to "roll" in a way that the entire thing makes contact?

Just a thought?

(obviously, this line of thinking goes down the tubes if what you've got is an older model with different fitment)

 

The link you posted is to a local file on your PC but thanks. Here’s a better picture of the gap, there’s more than 3mm there. Gonna take it to a local shop and get their opinion. Either this is by design or I have the wrong feet.

 

Sorry about that link...if you follow the Thule fit guide it give you the option to view the PDF installation guide for the Evo Clamp 710-501 (assuming that's the foot you've got)

Here's where the gap is supposed to be:

 

That's an interesting thought that hadn't occurred to me.

I found a pdf for Thule Kit 1511 which seems to cover the model number 754 Rapid System for the Tacoma. No mention at all of the 3mm gap. It does show different model numbers in this manual than what is stamped on the feet themselves, which sounds like a slam dunk, until you realize that Thule keeps changing this stuff. After all, it came off another Tacoma. The search for answers continues...

 

Have you tried asking Thule?

https://support.thule.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005183039-Contact-customer-service

 

Not sure why i didn't think of that but I have submitted a request now. Thanks!

 

Better pic, thanks. You're right it could look better but even if the block touches the rubber track filler it wouldn't be "supported" by the rubber, too flexible and the clamp itself looks spot on. The block needs to have enough thickness inside and lip down to hold against the clamp pressure. Theres plenty of surface area where it does touch for the modest loads bars are designed to carry. If you want a better attachment install the Rhino ditch tracks or something else that utilizes the oem threaded holes and lose the clamps and blocks which will eventually wreck the paint. Your notion of contacting a local rack specialist is dead on.

 

Solution Found.

I was following instructions I found online for Kit 1511 for '05-UP Toyota Tacoma because the model number (754) on the tower matched what was stamped on my parts.

The folks at the local rack shop quickly identified the system as a Thule Traverse Fit Kit 1827. What's the difference you ask...the mounting location. 11.75" from the windshield for this kit versus 13" on the manual I followed. Reinstalled according to this manual and now we have minimal gaps that I would have expected. I might even be able to dial some of these out by tweaking the width of the bar.

 

I appreciate the suggestion of using the OEM threaded holes but I had a bad experience with the OEM roof rack. Dealing with leaks and the marks it left on the paint after just a few months of use. I went this route (1 bed rack, one roof rack) so I could deal with a variety of light weight loads (boards/kayaks) and remove it easily when not in use.

Thanks again everyone!

 

Gotta love those local bike shop folks!

 

Getting it sorted is the goal. Enough monkeys and one will have it right.

 

Hey, thanks for the post. I had the same questions on my side and can't seem to find anything on the internet.

Did you have have to peel the rubber on your door to make the brackets fit under the molding?

 

I had the hardest time finding the right instructions for my racks on Thules website. Yes you do have to pull the seal away from the body to hook the clip in and the push it back over the rack and body like in my second picture.

 

Thanks a lot for the reply! I finally broadened my research and found the following video (which is for a Sierra, but figured it would be the same for a Tacoma). https://youtu.be/sx3i6f4pPQc?t=361

They fit perfect now. Glad I found your thread. Cheers.

 

I have the same and water is leaking under my carpet. Any of you have the same problem?
The water is getting in by the bracket attached in the door.
Thanks