Thule Roof Rack Installation (pics) - Page 2

**Clint** · #11 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collinsz

I live in Columbia, MD. I sent you a PM..

I have family in Elkridge which I believe is fairly close. I just might need to see the rack installed in person next time I come down there. It does look good.

timman_24 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 12:27 AM

Nice. I think I like that more than the stock rack that comes with the crew cabs. Your's isn't nearly as bulky looking.

Johnnyman88 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 04:05 AM

is there a way to not cut a hole through the roof to put the tracks??? any ideas??

Boomer1 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 06:40 AM

3M makes a double sided tape that has a thin foam in the middle. This tape is often used to hold the sheet metal to the frame in truck trailers and to build small metal shelters like those at bus stops. Obviously, these are metal to metal bonds that see a lot of heat, cold and water yet they seem to hold up quite well over long periods of time. On a roof rack, the only shear forces would be the wind load from any cargo carried.

Seems to me that such a tape would be satisfactory in holding down a metal strip to the roof providing that the strip has a flat underside that would be in direct contact, not with a raised middle section (inverted U) that would prevent good contact.

collinsz · #15 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

I have family in Elkridge which I believe is fairly close. I just might need to see the rack installed in person next time I come down there. It does look good.

Come and check it out whenever, shoot me a PM.

Quote:

is there a way to not cut a hole through the roof to put the tracks??? any ideas??

Honestly, if you have reservations about drilling in your roof I understand. I was freaked out. Im not a very mechanically oriented person, and I managed to do it with no problems. The hardest part is drilling the first hole.

drobs · #16 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 03:59 PM

Looks good!

**Clint** · #17 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boomer1

3M makes a double sided tape that has a thin foam in the middle. This tape is often used to hold the sheet metal to the frame in truck trailers and to build small metal shelters like those at bus stops. Obviously, these are metal to metal bonds that see a lot of heat, cold and water yet they seem to hold up quite well over long periods of time. On a roof rack, the only shear forces would be the wind load from any cargo carried.

Seems to me that such a tape would be satisfactory in holding down a metal strip to the roof providing that the strip has a flat underside that would be in direct contact, not with a raised middle section (inverted U) that would prevent good contact.

I'd be a bit hesitant of using tape because on a hot summer day won't the adhesive soften and the wind againt a load help to lift the rails front the front to back? To me as long as you use sealer to prevent leaks and the sheet metal from rusting this is a beautiful option. As I said before I would have bought an SE, saved money in the process too and got the six speed trans that I prefer to drive.

rockclimbingpyro · #18 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 04:34 PM

how did you keep from not going all the way through to the headliner? just the very carefully method?

BIOA108 · #19 (**permalink**) 07-07-2010, 05:21 PM

WOW, that is an impressive job. I bought a 2008 Frontier King Cab w/o a roof rack and have been looking for a way to install a safe and secure rack to carry 2 kayaks. I think this it. Did you find the rack on-line? Where did you find the best price? Thanks for the photos and great info.
BIOA