[brian60]

Got the Thule rack kit installed today. Followed Thule's website recommendations for pieces. Install was easy enough, but the front bar was a little fussy going on. I picked up some 8mm clear protective film off amazon to go under the rubber feet and protect my paint too. Sadly, it wasn't wide enough to cover where the metal bits grip the roof under the weather sealing. Looks good though. Ran outta light and it started raining, so I'll put my bike racks on it tomorrow afternoon.

View attachment 321393

Looks great! Once I get my film I can't wait to put mine on. This damn snow we are getting MORE of this weekend ruins EVERYTHING.

 

[Duchess]

I wouldn't let not having film stop you from using it until you have a chance to put it on. I don't use the film and haven't had any issues even with some large kayaks on top. I only have the racks on when I'm using them, though.

 

[brian60]

I wouldn't let not having film stop you from using it until you have a chance to put it on. I don't use the film and haven't had any issues even with some large kayaks on top. I only have the racks on when I'm using them, though.

I'm considerably uncomfortable putting anything against a painted surface on my car, I would stress out if I did that lol

 

[Duchess]

It's not a bad idea to put on the film and I understand accommodating the demands of OCD (not to be presumptuous), I'm just saying that if you have the opportunity to get out and use the rack, don't feel like it's going to wear through the paint. Just make sure the clips and surfaces are clean. I clean everything with rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth (OCD).

 

[ST18]

2018 Focus ST 2
YAKIMA Baseline towers
Jetstream bars
Loadwarrior basket
Frontloader bike rack

 

[RavensFan]

Today was my first kayak trip with the ST. The crossbars are from yakima, the jrack is a Malone Downloader, Hobie Revolution Kayak, and I got it up there using the Malone Telos. It worked pretty well all things considered. Unfortunately, I had no luck fishing today, but at least I know I can transport it on the ST.

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[Pandraztic]

Today was my first kayak trip with the ST. The crossbars are from yakima, the jrack is a Malone Downloader, Hobie Revolution Kayak, and I got it up there using the Malone Telos. It worked pretty well all things considered. Unfortunately, I had no luck fishing today, but at least I know I can transport it on the ST.

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What did you secure your tie downs to? I just got my kayak and I have no idea what to secure my bow and stern tie downs to.

 

[taytarspud]

Hello every body hear is a picture of the Ford roof bars etc

 

[taytarspud]

Genuine Ford Roof Bars

Hello every body hear is a picture of the Ford roof bars etc View attachment 330530

thanks for looking

 

[taytarspud]

Another picture with the Top Box great for extra space camping gear etc no issues or problems with these bars

many thanks for looking

 

[Duchess]

What did you secure your tie downs to? I just got my kayak and I have no idea what to secure my bow and stern tie downs to.

Probably something like this:

https://smile.amazon.com/Shoreline-...01CRBXQUK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1524430495&sr=8-3&keywords=kayak+tie+down+hood

IMO, they'd mainly be for legal reasons as it's not a terribly strong support. My Mazda3 had a plug in the front bumper cover that could be removed to screw a standout tow hook into the bumper beam, which worked rally well and kept the strap out far enough for the straps not to contact the paint. I don't know why Ford didn't do the same thing. I don't bother with a bow line unless I'm moving two boats on the highway, then I tie the bows together. I've never had them shift at all. On the back, you can hook into the oval opening in the frame rail on one side.

 

[flyerfolife]

Hello every body hear is a picture of the Ford roof bars etc View attachment 330530

This is the one you have right? https://www.fordpartsuk.com/roof-rack-cross-bar-kit

My 2 questions are, can you confirm that if I do not drill holes in my roof the rack will not be any less stable? (The drilling of the holes are just for alignment right?)

And secondly, what kind of mounts fit on the bars? Yakima or Thule or both?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mik777]

Don't like the look of any aftermarket mounts with brackets under the door seal/ For me it looks ugly. Spent a month or so looking around which one from OEMs has similar roof curvature to borrow rails. Murano was among contenders but not good enough. To match roof rail need to be cut so the front mounts will be somewhere around back edge of the sunroof - too short. Infiniti FX and EX looks very good to fit but can't find them. Today got roof rack from Nissan Rogue

and it looks like solution found. The rails looks not so bulky like the ones from Infiniti SUVs. And from the first look should fit perfectly with front mount aligned with front edge of sunroof. Just need to shorten rails and....... yes, drill 8 holes in a roof.

Of course should be painted in matte black

 

[flyerfolife]

I got in my OE rack today from over the pond, will follow up with photos and how install goes

 

[markjrust]

Working my way through reading all these pages!

Aside from looks, what are the advantages/disadvantages to T-Style bars (thule/inno/yakima) versus the more u-shaped design (OEM/Rhino RS 2500) bars?

The only difference I can think of is height off the roof and possibly a few more inches of loading space on the T-Style bars.

Any thoughts, anyone?

 

[Tursko]

Working my way through reading all these pages!

Aside from looks, what are the advantages/disadvantages to T-Style bars (thule/inno/yakima) versus the more u-shaped design (OEM/Rhino RS 2500) bars?

The only difference I can think of is height off the roof and possibly a few more inches of loading space on the T-Style bars.

Any thoughts, anyone?

Probably just looks. I like the rounded way more, thus the reason I have the OEM. Maybe you get some more room with the T bars, but it’s probably not useable


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[markjrust]

Probably just looks. I like the rounded way more, thus the reason I have the OEM. Maybe you get some more room with the T bars, but it’s probably not useable


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These look like they're right on the edge of the those t-bar racks!! Not sure how they mounted them honestly.

and this from earlier in the thread:

http://www.focusst.org/forum/attach...s-st-accessories/53966d1403322715-roof-rack-roof-accessories-thread-ulwvkxq.jpg

 

[RavensFan]

What did you secure your tie downs to? I just got my kayak and I have no idea what to secure my bow and stern tie downs to.

I bought some “yak gear” hood loops. They go in the hood and in the hatch. Works great!


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[Tursko]

These look like they're right on the edge of the those t-bar racks!! Not sure how they mounted them honestly.

and this from earlier in the thread:

http://www.focusst.org/forum/attach...s-st-accessories/53966d1403322715-roof-rack-roof-accessories-thread-ulwvkxq.jpg

Well I stand corrected! Hahaha


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[sniffpetrol]

I saw a couple of posts about wind/buffeting with or without a fairing for their rack, but can anyone else please give some feedback on this? I'm considering a rack and worried about buffeting with the sunroof open. Thanks.