Thule Roofrack on Bakkie?

[Murrob]

2 minutes ago, Iwan Kemp said:

If you're referring to what I think, then the answer is that the T-mounts slide in from the front into those rail guides. Took me a while to figure it out.

Yeah, exactly that, with the Thule bracket system they are fitted to the mounting bracket, if it was just the bolts, then all good. But this was some time ago, so maybe missing a trick. But the main issue was rails that are wide enough for the body from Thule. There are of course other options from Hold Fast, Skitch etc. but matchy, matchy is important for me. But lower down would have improved the fore aft spacing problem I am sure.

[Iwan Kemp]

Just now, Murrob said:

Yeah, exactly that, with the Thule bracket system they are fitted to the mounting bracket, if it was just the bolts, then all good. But this was some time ago, so maybe missing a trick. But the main issue was rails that are wide enough for the body from Thule. There are of course other options from Hold Fast, Skitch etc. but matchy, matchy is important for me. But lower down would have improved the fore aft spacing problem I am sure.

Yes. Matchy matchy! There can be no other way!

I had a look and cost comparison as I will be moving between vehicles this year. Stick to the Frontrunner system, with the possibility of having to swap out the feet/brackets that mount the rack to the bakkie due to different systems on different Ranger models, or look at options from Thule. 

The guy at Thule Willowbridge suggested the same cross bars you have on your bakkie. I'm a big fan of Thule (pricey, but it works and lasts). But in the end, I decided to hang onto what I have for now, as I know it will work - for now. Let's see what happens when I have to swap out vehicles in three months.  

[Kom]

2 hours ago, Murrob said:

So opted for this setup, the fairing means that you lose a bit of length and given that I ride XL bikes it was a bit of a fiddle on the rack setup to get everything to fit properly.

with extra long bars (est. >1.80m) - you can fit your bikes past the roll bar like the picture below.

this is the skitch rack option which fits with a t-fitting in the roller door gutter.

i definitely want a similar setup to yours, but the thule price point for that solution, close to R20k, makes me want to search more.

[B20]

3 hours ago, Kom said:

with extra long bars (est. >1.80m) - you can fit your bikes past the roll bar like the picture below.

this is the skitch rack option which fits with a t-fitting in the roller door gutter.

i definitely want a similar setup to yours, but the thule price point for that solution, close to R20k, makes me want to search more.

I have the exact same vehicle and wanted to go that route with Thule bars. The Thule bars overlapped the back end of the tailgate and the bike's front wheel was against the spoiler, then the bakkie would not fit in my garage, so I opted for a towbar holder. I like your set up.👌 

How far does the bars overlap the rear-bumper/towbar (I cannot gauge from your pic)?

[Murrob]

I know it wasn’t directed to me but FYI. Like I said, definitely no warranty or recourse from Thule as the setup is not within spec in terms of rail spacing. But it works with my bikes.

[Kom]

14 hours ago, Murrob said:

I know it wasn’t directed to me but FYI. Like I said, definitely no warranty or recourse from Thule as the setup is not within spec in terms of rail spacing. But it works with my bikes.

Curious as to what this setup cost including the two pro rides?

might head to willowbridge as well

how much outside of the thule spec are you for the crossbar spacing? Did you have to alter the prorides to fit?

[Murrob]

I think it was like 15 cm on the rail spacing and then I adjusted the racks as well. Price wise, I think the rails were 1500 each with foot packs 1400 each. The racks were bikehub, but I do see Olympic cycles has a deal on the 598’s. As mentioned before, if you can figure out the mounting in the t-slot on the shutter itself it should mean less fiddling in terms of rails and racks. Could be as simple as getting them slotted in from the front as was suggested earlier. But Thule can advise on that.

[Kom]

Has anyone given the holdfast solution a try?

Priced really well at R4,6k for mounts and bars (bike racks excluded).

[ChrisF]

1 minute ago, Kom said:

Has anyone given the holdfast solution a try?

Priced really well at R4,6k for mounts and bars (bike racks excluded).

 

I have a couple of other products from HoldFast.  Was the only brand where I could buy spares to make custom racks.

 

Spares can be ordered from any bike store, no locking into a price controlled dealership ...

 

Products are holding up good.

 

I am a Thule fan .... but with my next purchase I may well consider HoldFast.

[Titan Racing Bikes]

On 1/7/2026 at 1:36 PM, Iwan Kemp said:

 

 🧐 🤫

Edited January 14 by Titan Racing Bikes

[OVERDRIVE]

On 1/14/2026 at 4:31 PM, Titan Racing Bikes said:

 🧐 🤫

Got to be the pic of the day, this. 

Found this: