Thule or Yakima gutter vs. track mounts?

[zuren]

I'll be needing a rack on top of my van soon for bulky, light items (cargo box, canoe, etc.). It appears I have 3 options:

1. Thule 300 gutter mount feet with cross bars
2. "custom" tracks permanently installed on the roof to use with their track mounts.
3. "Custom" gutter clamps bolted to Thule crossbars (I would think drilling the crossbars for hardware to drop through would be okay).

Option 1 could be easily removed, no holes in the roof but would have the highest profile.

Option 2 would be the cleanest install and probably a low profile; don't love drilling holes in the roof (potential for leaks).

Option 3 would be a mix of no holes in the roof, could be removed easily for another vehicle and has lower profile than option 1. I've having a hard time deciding which would be best since I've never had experience with the tracks or the ORU style feet.

Any comments/suggestions? It seems that any safari caliber rack system I see, the feet are the clamping style on the gutters.

 

[PirateMcGee]

I like the gutter mounts personally FYI if you need an artifical gutter they are super easy to make out of flat stock and angle iron....

 

[ssssnake529]

I use Thule gutter mounts. No complaints.

 

[Schattenjager]

Yakima guy. Thule is great stuff too. REI had all the Yakima stuff I needed at one time, hense that decision. Strong gutter mounts tall enough to clear the factory rack and sunroof, but nothing out of line in profile. Lots of options with Thule and Yakima too. Amazing how much simple stuff costs, but it all works very well and they seem to have a ready-made solution for just about everything.