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Do you know what set-up is lower profile - LR factory cross bars, Thule wing bars, or Thule bars with EVO kit?
I can't answer this question for you, but I can take some measurements of our set-up if you want.
I GOT the impression that the LR Factory bars we installed ARE made by Thule so they are probably the same as or very close to the WingBar Edge (though I got them SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper, like almost half the price that Thule lists on their website for the WingBar Edges for the Defender).
Yes most of the stuff on top of the Defender is re-badged Thule stuff. Personally, I got my bars for $90 each. Then again I shopped them off season in anticipation and got them on surplus sale. Bikein sold the mounts for significantly cheaper than other outlets, just don't be in a hurry for their shipping. Again, anticipation and off season is key. Even the Yakima Fat Cats were surplus Amazon stuff at ½ price, off season. Yeah, I'm cheap, mopped too many floors as a 'Beverly Hills Janitor' in university. UCLA was in the low-rent district of LA, so in the pre-student loan period we pretty much all worked, or like me; in the military by popular lottery.
Either way, I like the design of the regular Thule system, aside from being able to put it on both cars as necessary. Longer bars are a plus.
This is the size that the flip over tensioner uses (the flip over black paddle that comes with the Fat Cat), I just felt better getting ones that if I had to saw off a bit I would not be groaning. I also just cut some blocks, thinner, from Starboard. This lowered the rack some more. Thule slots are all the same size, so far as I have seen. So any T bolt that is slightly smaller than the slot will slide in. These have been in place since November and countless trips up the mountain without issue.
Do you happen to know what the total height of the vehicle is including the roof rack and yakima ski/snowboard holder?
I live in an apartment building with 2.1m maximim height so I’m trying to find/see if there is a snowboard holder that will fit.
Thanks in advance,
Paul
Originally Posted by GCSchmidt
I am using the Factory Cross Bars with the Yakima FatCat EVO 6 Ski/Snowboard Mount (Silver) attached with the Yakima SmartT-Slot Kit 2 T-Slot Adapter.
They are super low profile, especially with the SmarT-Slot Kit. Virtually zero wind noise, the sliver matches the factory cross bars perfectly. I would recommend this set up to anyone. I do have the factory ladder, which I use to put the skis on/off.
I finally pulled the trigger on a new roof rack / ski carrier setup. I decided to go with the Thule Wingbar EVO 50" bars paired with the Kuat Grip 6 ski carrier with Kuat's direct mount. I compared the Kuat Grip 6 with the Yakima Fatcat 6. The Kuat felt a little sturdier / better built and also had the sliding feature, which may make loading / unloading easier.
I finally pulled the trigger on a new roof rack / ski carrier setup. I decided to go with the Thule Wingbar EVO 50" bars paired with the Kuat Grip 6 ski carrier with Kuat's direct mount. I compared the Kuat Grip 6 with the Yakima Fatcat 6. The Kuat felt a little sturdier / better built and also had the sliding feature, which may make loading / unloading easier.
Kuat Grip 6 installed. The M6 x 25mm bolts included with the Kuat direct mount adapters were a little short, so I went with M6x30mm bolts instead. Ready for skiing / boarding!
