Yakima Tracks on Fleetwood Tacoma

[kevo77]

I've read a number of threads discussing the use of Yakima products to carry kayaks, bikes, boats, etc.  I have an '04 Fleetwood Tacoma that does not have the built-in tracks.  I'd like to add a Yakima track-type carrier (Landing Pads #1, Control Towers, 84" Cross bar).  I called the Fleetwood customer service and all they said that would fit was a hard mounted kit.  Since I will be alternating between kayaks, baskets, and bikes (maybe both), I'd like the flexibility of moving the crossbars to different positions on the PU (maybe even ad a third crossbar).  Customer service also said that the Yakima tracks can't be installed since they "can't be done".  I've seen them installed on many PUs.  I'm wondering if the Tacoma is so unique that it "can't be done".
I'd like to buy the Yakima tracks and overseal them to keep them from leaking.
Does anyone have any experience with the installation of these tracks (with Plusnuts) to provide some advice on installation as well as identifying any problems they've encountered?
Thanks,
Kevoooooooooooooo

[A2SuperCrew]

I don't have experience installing Yakima tracks on the roof of the PUP, but I did install Control Towers / Landing Pad 7's on the bed rails of my truck.  Mine are bolted directly to the truck in one spot.  I didn't need to be able to move them around since I'll only carry bikes there.

You don't really need to get the tracks that include PlusNuts since you'll have access to the bottom side of the roof.  PlusNuts are for applications where you can't get to the other side of the mounting surface.  The kit without PlusNuts is a little cheaper too.

Installation is pretty simple.  Measure, measure again, then drill holes!  The kit comes with sealant for around the mounting holes.  Put the bolts through the holes, then tighten on the inside.  The nut is inside a big round piece of black plastic that spreads the load, and makes it easy to tighten from the inside using your fingers.

http://www.rackwarehouse.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2191

Good luck!  

[mike4947]

Note that your roof is only paper thin aluminum sheet over stryefoam with thin paneling as the interior surface. Most of the rail systems are only designed for use on fiberglass or metal roof where the roof won't crush from tightening or cause a dimple in the roof.
The integrated tracks on the newer roof have support designed into the roof.
Also note you can't get the 84" bars from any source other than the Fleetwood dealer.
A better solution is three rails with edge mounts where the side boards provide support for the weight. That way you have two rails positioned for bikes and two for Kayaks/canoes.
We buy the rails from the dealer to get the wider bars and the roof mounts, bike, and canoe mounts off of EBay for about 1/2 the price of identical name brand mounts.

[butterflyfish]

I don't have experience installing Yakima tracks on the roof of the PUP, but I did install Control Towers / Landing Pad 7's on the bed rails of my truck.  Mine are bolted directly to the truck in one spot.  I didn't need to be able to move them around since I'll only carry bikes there.

You don't really need to get the tracks that include PlusNuts since you'll have access to the bottom side of the roof.  PlusNuts are for applications where you can't get to the other side of the mounting surface.  The kit without PlusNuts is a little cheaper too.

Installation is pretty simple.  Measure, measure again, then drill holes!  The kit comes with sealant for around the mounting holes.  Put the bolts through the holes, then tighten on the inside.  The nut is inside a big round piece of black plastic that spreads the load, and makes it easy to tighten from the inside using your fingers.

http://www.rackwarehouse.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2191

Good luck!  

Do yo have a picture of what you did with your truck?  DH wants to do something to carry the bikes across the bed of his truck, but he wants to use an old roof rack system we have for a car we had about 10 years ago.

[A2SuperCrew]

Do yo have a picture of what you did with your truck?  DH wants to do something to carry the bikes across the bed of his truck, but he wants to use an old roof rack system we have for a car we had about 10 years ago.

I'll take a pic tonight.  I was able to re-use a bunch of old Yakima stuff I had to build this setup.

The bikes are held above the bed, so all the space under the tonneau cover is available for gear.  Since the bikes are mostly behind the cab of the truck, the ride is MUCH quieter compared to having them on the roof.

[butterflyfish]

I'll take a pic tonight.  I was able to re-use a bunch of old Yakima stuff I had to build this setup.

The bikes are held above the bed, so all the space under the tonneau cover is available for gear.  Since the bikes are mostly behind the cab of the truck, the ride is MUCH quieter compared to having them on the roof.

Thanks, that would be great!   It sounds like you have something exactly like DH wants to build, he wants the bikes above and still room to store gear underneath.  Our old roof rack system is a Sarris.  The easiest solution would be to find the clips at a dealer for our roof and use it on the new car, but the local dealer wasn't sure if they are available and I also cannot find the system we had online so I am wondering if they have discontinued the system we had...

[Ira_P]

We have a 2002 Colman Cottonwood. I added a track system and load bars to the roof. I ordered the tracks from http://www.prolineracks.com/proline-roof-end-track-slats.html
The tracks come in 36" to 78" in length.

The roof of the Cottonwood has a white steel angle iron running around the inside of the roof. I mounted the tacks along side the edge of the roof so that the blots go through this angle iron. I mounted it this way to spread the weight and strain on the roof. With a lot of caulk on the bolts and the track, it has not leaked ( yet ).

I have a picture of it here, http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2853941540101230164GkVTZC

Once the track is installed, you can mount almost any type of rack you wish.

[butterflyfish]

As I thought, and a call to the company confirmed... Saris no longer makes their roof rack systems.  The man I spoke with would have been able to sell me the clips for our truck, but the cross bars we have would have been too short to fit across the top of the truck.  He was very nice and he said the market really doesn't warrant them making roof systems anymore since very few people want to climb on top of their cars to put things up there (DH always did this since I am 5 foot tall... though I have and could if I needed to...)  But like DH said putting the bikes on the roof of the truck would have been sweet since you could stand in the bed to load them.  We will probably break down and buy a removable system for the pup...  (maybe next year ?...)  Saris has a rack system for the truck bed, but we wouldn't spend the money on that since DH is very proficient at tying the bikes in the back of the truck  so they dn't move and the whole idea behind getting the roof rack was to free up bed space..  Maybe he'll get to making the system he wants to go over the bed...

[kevo77]

Ira_P,
Thanks for the reply.  Your roof looks very much like my 04 Tacoma.  It's fairly new to me and it's currently in the shop for me to check.  Can't remember if I have the same steel support.  Can someone else with an 04 Tacoma confirm?
Any other recommendations are appreciated.
Thanks,
Kevooooooooooooooo