Thule Xsporter Installed, Who Needs an SUV!

gtie · 12-12-2004, 06:08 PM

The question I got the most when I replaced my Pathfinder with the Titan was "How are you going to carry all of your gear?". I had a Yakima system on my Pathfinder that included 48" crossbars and a megawarrior gear basket. It worked very well and could carry tons of stuff.

I went with the Thule Xsporter as the base system. The crossbars are 71" and will support 450 lbs. You can also raise and lower the crossbars or remove them altogether. I added an Evolution 1600 cargo box to replace the gear basket. The 1600 will carry 16 cubic feet or 110 lbs.

I am very pleased with this setup. It is a big improvement over the Pathfinder setup and I still have the bed available for addtional items. Next I'll figure out how I'm going to carry the bikes and this system will be complete.

For reference the cargo box is 76" long and 33" wide. The canoe is an Esquif Vertige, it's 12' 10" long and 29" wide. Note on the 2nd picture how the Xsporter uses 2 clamps per support versus 1 for the Yakima Outdoorsman. Much better design.

DryHeat · 12-16-2004, 09:46 PM

Very nice. Great pics too!

pciley · 12-20-2004, 10:48 PM

Very nice! How much? I like that you don't need the UtiliCrap bed cause I don't have it!

Wow 450 lbs! I could put a third quad up there!

No need for my trailer.

Would be great for ghetto camping too, put a big blue tarp over them and strap it down.
I like alot.. Did I already ask how much?

gtie · 12-21-2004, 06:16 AM

I purchased it from www.rackoutfitters.com for $396 delivered. Here's the link http://rackoutfitters.com/store/Scri...?idproduct=220

pciley · 12-22-2004, 10:57 PM

If I put kayaks on upside down (keel in the air) on these rails, it looks like the bows/sterns would touch the cab's roof.

Are the rails height adjustable? If so, does your picture show them at max height? Thanks for the info.

gtie · 12-23-2004, 08:56 AM

Depending on the amount of rocker, they could touch the roof. The bars clear the roof by a couple of inches. As an example, if you placed something flat on the bars, i.e. a 2x4, the item would clear the roof. As an alternative, you can use a Thule accessory for the kayaks that would insure roof clearance. They make several that will fit the XSporter bars.