Which roof rack should I get?

[jazzy_james]

Thinking about a roof rack for my LR3. Which should I get? Thule, Yakima or Land Rover brand? Thule and Yakima are comparably priced and cheaper than the Land Rover Brand. Towers, crossbars, and locks would be about $200 versus $350 for the lockable crossbars from Land Rover. Any suggestions on which I should get?

Plus, I'm thinking about getting a storage box. Storage boxes at Land Rover will cost about $999. Thule and Yakima's are priced at the high $400. Leaning toward the Yakima Skybox Pro. Any opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[nwoods]

Do you want a general purpose camping roof rack, or do you want a more off-road type rack? You actually have some good options.

The Yakima rack is offered via Atlantic Brittish, and looks okay. I have a Hannibal rack, also from AB, and it's great and will hold a LOT. FrontRunner 4x4 has an awsome full expedition rack that is quite nice.

You can see a photo of my Hannibal rack under the "hero" thread a few rows down.

 

[jazzy_james]

Just a general purpose rack. Will be hauling 7 passengers and need more cargo space. Any advantage over Yakima to Thule?

 

[mhb907]

I have had good luck with Yakima racks. I first used Yakima on my Expedition to carry two kayaks.
They make brackets (landing pads) that install into the LR3 roof rails without removing the roof rail end caps. The towers and cross bars attach to the landing pads. They are easy to mount /dismount.

 

[roverall]

The Yakima racks have a lower profile than the Thule racks.

 

[roverman]

I have a corroded out piece of crap Thule rack I can sell ya. I also have a very sweet, durable and perfectly functioning Yak rack that I won't sell. So...if that tells you anything...
As mhb907 said, the landing pads work great. You can attach your cross bars in about 30 seconds. I don't have a cargo box, but by observation any time I go out to the Rockies, where every other car has a roof carrier, all I ever see is Yakima boxes.

 

[jazzy_james]

thanks roverman! that really helped me decide. yakima is what I'm getting...

Can someone clarify that I should get the Control Tower with the Landing Pads, 48" RoundBars? The cost comes out to $200 at Rei.com. Thanks again everyone...

 

[mhb907]

Yakima Roof Rack

These are the Yakima parts that you need:
• Two sets of Landing Pad #4
• One set of Control Towers (#00214)
• One set of 58 inch X-Bars

 

[jptruck]

Post the price tag for all of that if you get a chance.

Anyone know if there's a Yakima or Thule connector to the stock LR3 racks, preferably Thule? Land Rover threw my racks in as a part of the deal when I bought the vehicle. I have some old Thule ski racks and what not that I'd like to connect. I could just drill a hole in the LR3 rack and connect it that way. It would be easier to buy the $20 connection pieces, if they have them.

 

[roverman]

and, unless you live in Pleasantville, you should probably buy a set of locks too.