Universal Roof Track (Thule TP42) install/use ?

[Tungstontiller]

Hi,

I am debating the use of a Thule TP42 as a universal roof track. I would mount it to the roof of my 07' F150.

I want the flexibility to mount a RTT and a pair of bikes overhead.

The kit comes with 8 flare nuts (nut certs) per track.

To install it, I need to drop the headliner and drilling 16 holes, then use touch up paint, & silicone makes me a bit nervous. What else should I consider?

Is there another product I should look at?


Currently, I have a Diamondbackcover.com that is made of diamond plate aluminum. It's purpose is to carry an ATV on top of the bed rails. This will work most of the time to carry the RTT. Increase aerodynamics, lower profile, ect.

However, the purpose of the roof track is to use the RTT when I am carrying my ATV.

Thanks for your knowledge inadvance!

 

[Tungstontiller]

Hey gang,

Anybody, hello..... :Wow1:

Do you think I posted in the wrong topic?

Additionally, I plan to use Yakima X towers to attach the cross bars to the round "adapter" bars on the bed cover.

Here is an X tower, as they are designed:

I don't know if the X tower will fit to the adapter bar.
But they're in the mail, on the way to my house.

Thanks in advance.

 

[78Bronco]

Does Ford offer something for the roof?

 

[Tungstontiller]

Bronco,
Not that I know of.

The X towers will not work with the Diamondbackcover.
The bracket is about twice as big.

Hmmm. On to another option.

 

[Vermonster]

I've installed the TP42 on my Tacoma DC. To be honest, I'm not all that satisfied with the product, primarily because of the lack of "beefiness" of the tracks; the way the Thule footpacks mount to the tracks is also a concern but one that can be addressed with a little modification (see below).

If you look at the track cross section, the overall thickness of the extrusion is really thinner than optimal. A second failing is the width of the overhang (surface the nut catches to secure the rack foot). These two problems, when combined with the design of the Thule foot pack are, in my opinion, a serious opportunity for product failure.

The Thule footpack uses a parallelogram shaped nut that passes through the narrowest width of the track, then turns to capture the track overhang. This results in a rather narrow surface over which any upward pressure is exerted. On my tracks, during rather limited use with a canoe, I can already see deformations at the point of contact.

The Yakima system is somewhat better in that a rectangular "nutplate" is permanently installed in the track when it is first mounted and before the endcaps are secured. This spreads the upward pressure over a much larger surface. The downside is that the nutplates can't be added or removed after the track endcaps are secured.

The Yakima "A Plate" is perfectly sized to fit the Thule TP42 tracks (in fact I am told the Yakima and Thule tracks are identical). Further, the bolt size (M6) of the Thule and Yakima footpacks seems identical. Thus, I've bought some Yakima A plates and installed them in my Thule tracks, where they seem to work perfectly in place of the Thule parallelogram nuts. I'm considering creating even longer nutplates from stainless bar stock and tapping appropriately sized holes to match the Thule footpads in order to even more widely spread any upward force over the track.

As for the track install, you won't have to drop the headliner; the rivnuts they supply will install blindly. I don't have long-term experience with how watertight the supplied rivnuts with integral seal (black goo) + silicone on bolt threads will be. That said, dropping the headliner will allow for larger backing plates--which might be desirable with the heavier load of a RTT.

I've been told the tracks Surco sells are somewhat beefier than the Yakima or Thule tracks (picture below).

Still looking to find a dealer that has them in stock so I can compare.

I'll try to take some pictures later this weekend to better explain what I am talking about.

 

[Tungstontiller]

Vermonster,
Good stuff, great reply. Thanks.
Yes, I agree with your evaluation of the TP42. It does appear to be thin. I own 2 sets, but there both still in the box.

I like the idea of using the Yakima "A plate" as a washer to spread the force.

I was unaware of the company Surco.

Additionally, I really like the X tower concept. I wonder where I can find that part for a smaller diameter pipe.

 

[mjmcdowell]

Thule rack on cap

I have factory tracks (Thule) and footpads, towers on my Leer truck cap (09 4x4 Ford Ranger) w/crossbars on which I mounted a Thule MOAB basket, long story short, I was very careful mounting and checking the basket and the factory track and foot pads, while on a camping trip I caught the rearmost crossbar on a pine tree, (I left them long so I could edge carry my Kayak and mount a a work light as well on one side) while turning on a very tight sloped trail and bent the crossbar back about 3", s#@t!... oh well, when I got home I checked it all out, removed the basket (at the time it was loaded plus my kayak) no damage to cap, footpad or tower. I removed the crossbar and with the help of my son holding it on some 2x4's had to use the sledge head from my Hi-Lift handle-all tool to pound it straight again, they do not bend real well, they are tough! I have to say that was a test I did not want to preform but things turned out better than I thought when it happened, I'm pleased. Soooo, thats my story, sorry not so short, stay safe, mjmcdowell

 

[Mike S]

I prefer the Yakima through the roof tracks to the Thule ones. I have the Yakimas mounted on my ARE cap and carrying a Maggiolina. The through holes are sealed with silicone caulking, and so far no problems.