Landing Pads Installed

[Black_Fly]

Not much to do with bad weather, but I got the Yakima landing pads installed on the wife’s new (2025) RAV4. If you remember, I was fastidiously measuring every midsize SUV model’s roof rail contact points to discern the potential spread of roof rack crossbars. I want to be confident hauling 2 canoes on interstate roads (hopefully).

So, I finished with 33” center to center, 36” outer bar edge to outer bar edge. I am confident this is about the best spread you can get in a midsize SUV. Here’s the models I measured (focusing on center to center data).

2025 Mazda 50, 550
2025, 26 Honda CRV
2025 Subaru Outback
2025 Subaru Forester
2025, 26 Chevy Equinox
2025 Nissan Rogue
2025 Ford Edge
2025 Toyota RAV4

I did check 2026 model changes to the degree possible. The 2026 Subarus were getting redesigned, and I did measure a 2026 Forester, that seemed to offer an inch more spread than the RAV4, although measurements on the dealer lot were rushed and awkward using dealer resources. I subsequently started carrying a step ladder and measuring tape while car shopping. I should disclose that the 2025 Wilderness package also offers a wider crossbar spread, but measurements were inconclusive and overall value on the RAV4 was deemed superior.

Sorry, no spreadsheet (cause that would be anal retentive OCD zone). It was awkward enough getting 18-20 year old salespeople to understand what I was looking for with my tape measure, assure them they didn’t know about what I was analyzing (they invariably had a pitch for their company’s roof rail system, often showing me pictures of mounted kayaks), then trying to get them to remove and discount the mediocre plastic factory crossbars, which turns out to be nearly impossible with the modularity and packaging of most cars these days. Anyone need a new RAV4 factory crossbar unit?

 

[tketcham]

Sorry, no spreadsheet (cause that would be anal retentive OCD zone).

I resemble that remark.

 

[dramey]

I will be using Thule canoe carrier pads on my Chevy Equinox. They fit the factory roof rails on the Equinox.

 

[Gamma1214]

The Rav4 probably has a class 1 receiver. You might consider building a t-post for it to give a lot greater spread than you'll get with only roof-mounted bars.

 

[dramey]

I have a T-post made by Reese Hitches. The top swivels to make it easier to load the canoe onto the vehicle.

 

[clemency]

I've got landing pads on my 2024 Chevy Trailblazer which has those same Euro rails. Not really a huge fan of the combo since the landing pads stand so proud from the roofline. They do work, but I think Yakima (and Thule) should come up with a better solution.

 

[Neophyte]

Congrats on the RAV4, I was wondering what you decided to go with. I don't think you'll be disappointed. It looks like the landing pads connect directly to the crossbars, which is fantastic. I will definitely be looking into something like this whenever I trade in the CR-V.

I resemble that remark.

I made a spreadsheet to compare canoes when I was getting my first one. It made me happy. I still have it because I need more canoes.

 

[tketcham]

...I think Yakima (and Thule) should come up with a better solution.

I think car manufacturers should be the ones to come up with a better solution. Back when cars had roof gutters you could buy a roof rack and it would fit on just about all of the cars sold. But now that gutters are gone and roof rails dominate, Yakima and Thule have to accommodate all those different rail configurations and we end up with expensive, compromised rack systems. If a more standardized (i.e., utilitarian) rail system was offered by car makers then Yakima/Thule and others could offer a rack system or two that was far more useful for transporting watercraft. So many car rails out there now were designed for aesthetics, not function. Even Subaru, which touts their cars for outdoorsy people, screws up the spread between front and rear rack mounts. (I use the Yakima Timberline system with round bars.)

 

[jdeerfoot]

I think car manufacturers should be the ones to come up with a better solution. Back when cars had roof gutters you could buy a roof rack and it would fit on just about all of the cars sold. But now that gutters are gone and roof rails dominate, Yakima and Thule have to accommodate all those different rail configurations and we end up with expensive, compromised rack systems. If a more standardized (i.e., utilitarian) rail system was offered by car makers then Yakima/Thule and others could offer a rack system or two that was far more useful for transporting watercraft. So many car rails out there now were designed for aesthetics, not function. Even Subaru, which touts themselves as the sporty car maker, screws up the spread between front and rear rack mounts. (I use the Yakima Timberline system with round bars.)

I agree with your comment re. car manufacturers and roof top rails. I have been repurposing my old Yakima round bars onto newer vehicles for many years. However, since Yakima moved away from round bars to aero bars about 10 years ago, it is no longer possible use round bars w/ Q-clips any longer. I may be replacing my almost 18 yr old Mazda sedan soon and really don’t want to spend the $ to upgrade to aero bars. When I was in need of Q-clips for a vehicle (2015 or older), I would find what Q-clips I needed and find them online at a modest cost. Craigslist was always a great place to look for cheap, used racks and components.

From the perspective of auto manufacturers I think the roof topping market is too small for them to care about. So we are pushed to Yakima, Thule and others for our specialized needs.

 

[tketcham]

I may be replacing my almost 18 yr old Mazda sedan soon and really don’t want to spend the $ to upgrade to aero bars.

The Yakima Timberline towers ($240) and round bar adapters ($30) fit the rails on our Subaru Crosstrek and work well, even at interstate highway speeds. I hated having to give up on my old Yakima Q-clip towers, though, they were still in really good shape. At least I got my money's worth after all those years.

 

[jdeerfoot]

The Yakima Timberline towers ($240) and round bar adapters ($30) fit the rails on our Subaru Crosstrek and work well, even at interstate highway speeds. I hated having to give up on my old Yakima Q-clip towers, though, they were still in really good shape. At least I got my money's worth after all those years.

I use my existing and long owned Yakima round bars on my Subaru Forester with raised roof rails and they should continue to be usable on vehicles with raised roof rails. For several reasons I need a subcompact sedan and I like Mazda 3 sedans. I need to use the Yakima Stretch Kit on the Mazda to get adequate rack spread. I suppose I could work with my brother, a long time auto body repairman, on trying to modify some exiting Q-clips to work on a newer car but I’m not sure we could develop an effective and safe result.

Lastly, in the few remaining years I will be car topping boats (I’m in my late 70’s), I really don’t want to have purchase any more rack systems.