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X-Trail Roof Rack, Thule, etc...

60K views 85 replies 39 participants last post by  GX-Trailer 
#1 ·
:thumbup:

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT MY NEW RED XTRAIL 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT IS A TOP 1 SUV.

I REPLACE A HOLD CRV1997 AND I TRY DE NEW CRV, THE XTRAIL IS SUPERIOR.

I FOUND THAT THULE WAS NOT READY FOR THIS VEHICULE, SO I SEARCH IN OTHER COUNTRY WERE HE WAS SOLD.

THE EQUIPEMENT YOU NEED IN CANADA IS THE FOOT 418 WITH STANDARD BARS AND LOCK.

THE SOLUTION WAS FOUND BY A DEALER IN RIMOUSKI QUEBEC, AND THE BOLD FIT EXACTLY, DON'T BELIEVE THULE IF YOU CALL THERE, THE SAY THAT THE HAVE NOTHING.


BONJOUR

J'AI TROUVE LA SOLUTION POUR LES RACK THULE, IL FAUT PRENDRE LA BASE 418 ET ELLE FAIT PARFAITEMENT DANS LES TROUS, LES VIS SONT EXACTEMENT DE LA BONNE LONGUEUR. L'EXPERT DANS LE DOMAINE EST ANDRE CHEZ GENDRON SPORT A RIMOUSKI. THULE CONTINU DE TIRE QU'IL N'Y A PAS DE PIECE AU CANADA.

SO EVERERY ONE NOW CAN TAKE THEIR CANOE OR KAYAK ON THE XTRAIL.

THE RED FROG
 
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#3 ·
More info on Thule Rack Connection Please

Would like more info on the thule rack mounts that fit the XTrail. Was unable to track down any info on the "418". Do you have a full part number or description? Can you provide contact information on the store you got the connection from.

Thanks.
**************************
RED FROG said:
:thumbup:

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT MY NEW RED XTRAIL 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT IS A TOP 1 SUV.

I REPLACE A HOLD CRV1997 AND I TRY DE NEW CRV, THE XTRAIL IS SUPERIOR.

I FOUND THAT THULE WAS NOT READY FOR THIS VEHICULE, SO I SEARCH IN OTHER COUNTRY WERE HE WAS SOLD.

THE EQUIPEMENT YOU NEED IN CANADA IS THE FOOT 418 WITH STANDARD BARS AND LOCK.

THE SOLUTION WAS FOUND BY A DEALER IN RIMOUSKI QUEBEC, AND THE BOLD FIT EXACTLY, DON'T BELIEVE THULE IF YOU CALL THERE, THE SAY THAT THE HAVE NOTHING.


BONJOUR

J'AI TROUVE LA SOLUTION POUR LES RACK THULE, IL FAUT PRENDRE LA BASE 418 ET ELLE FAIT PARFAITEMENT DANS LES TROUS, LES VIS SONT EXACTEMENT DE LA BONNE LONGUEUR. L'EXPERT DANS LE DOMAINE EST ANDRE CHEZ GENDRON SPORT A RIMOUSKI. THULE CONTINU DE TIRE QU'IL N'Y A PAS DE PIECE AU CANADA.

SO EVERERY ONE NOW CAN TAKE THEIR CANOE OR KAYAK ON THE XTRAIL.

THE RED FROG
 
#5 ·
RED FROG thank-you for researching this. I found a Thule 418 foot pack and installed it on my '05 X-Trail SE with no problems! One question though, the kit I purchased was missing the foot pads (got a good deal on it). Were you able to fit these between the Thule foot and roof rail ? If so, were there any modifications required?

Thanks.

RED FROG said:
:thumbup:

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT MY NEW RED XTRAIL 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT IS A TOP 1 SUV.

I REPLACE A HOLD CRV1997 AND I TRY DE NEW CRV, THE XTRAIL IS SUPERIOR.

I FOUND THAT THULE WAS NOT READY FOR THIS VEHICULE, SO I SEARCH IN OTHER COUNTRY WERE HE WAS SOLD.

THE EQUIPEMENT YOU NEED IN CANADA IS THE FOOT 418 WITH STANDARD BARS AND LOCK.

THE SOLUTION WAS FOUND BY A DEALER IN RIMOUSKI QUEBEC, AND THE BOLD FIT EXACTLY, DON'T BELIEVE THULE IF YOU CALL THERE, THE SAY THAT THE HAVE NOTHING.


BONJOUR

J'AI TROUVE LA SOLUTION POUR LES RACK THULE, IL FAUT PRENDRE LA BASE 418 ET ELLE FAIT PARFAITEMENT DANS LES TROUS, LES VIS SONT EXACTEMENT DE LA BONNE LONGUEUR. L'EXPERT DANS LE DOMAINE EST ANDRE CHEZ GENDRON SPORT A RIMOUSKI. THULE CONTINU DE TIRE QU'IL N'Y A PAS DE PIECE AU CANADA.

SO EVERERY ONE NOW CAN TAKE THEIR CANOE OR KAYAK ON THE XTRAIL.

THE RED FROG
 
#6 · (Edited)
Hi Red Frog,

I found the same link last fall when I was looking for a Thule fix, but the 418 foot is not sold anymore. Unless you buy parts or are able to find a used set. For those who still need a solution, these are my earlier posts:

Posted Nov 9/04
Hi Starbucky,

Did you say Thule makes a roof rack for the X-Trail? What foot pack/fit kit do you need? I've been searching for a little while and Thule in Europe says the 417 foot pack which is equivalent to the 430 with the TK2. However, looking at the specs for the TK2 I am not sure if it would fit in the fixed points of the X-Trail. If you buy Nissan's rack are you going to need to attachments? I looked at Nissan's rack system and trying to get adapters for all my Thule accessories, but not able to get adapters for everything. Hate to buy new attachments.

Regards,
Greg

Posted Dec 5/04
Before I forget, I got a Thule fit kit to work. I already had a 430 foot pack and bought a TK6. The TK6 comes with a small rail that you bolt on first. Except the bolts holes are 3.5 inches center to center and the X-Trail mount is 2 1/8 inches center to center. My dealer drilled the holes in the short rail and bolted them on for me. So the attachment fit on exactly like my TK1 did on both my Pathfinders. If you can not find a TK6, the TK8 and TK9 both come with short rail adapters as well. I beleive all the TK packages cost the same, around the $65 range
.


Regards,
Greg

RED FROG said:
:thumbup:

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT MY NEW RED XTRAIL 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT IS A TOP 1 SUV.

I REPLACE A HOLD CRV1997 AND I TRY DE NEW CRV, THE XTRAIL IS SUPERIOR.

I FOUND THAT THULE WAS NOT READY FOR THIS VEHICULE, SO I SEARCH IN OTHER COUNTRY WERE HE WAS SOLD.

THE EQUIPEMENT YOU NEED IN CANADA IS THE FOOT 418 WITH STANDARD BARS AND LOCK.

THE SOLUTION WAS FOUND BY A DEALER IN RIMOUSKI QUEBEC, AND THE BOLD FIT EXACTLY, DON'T BELIEVE THULE IF YOU CALL THERE, THE SAY THAT THE HAVE NOTHING.


BONJOUR

J'AI TROUVE LA SOLUTION POUR LES RACK THULE, IL FAUT PRENDRE LA BASE 418 ET ELLE FAIT PARFAITEMENT DANS LES TROUS, LES VIS SONT EXACTEMENT DE LA BONNE LONGUEUR. L'EXPERT DANS LE DOMAINE EST ANDRE CHEZ GENDRON SPORT A RIMOUSKI. THULE CONTINU DE TIRE QU'IL N'Y A PAS DE PIECE AU CANADA.

SO EVERERY ONE NOW CAN TAKE THEIR CANOE OR KAYAK ON THE XTRAIL.

THE RED FROG
 
#7 ·
Some news from Thule US!!!

Hi all!
I've submitted this question to Thule US in June:
The Nissa X-Trail 2005 is not in your database. I know this vehicle is not available in the US. Any plan to import the right attachment available in Europe for this vehicle for Canadian customers? Any other solution?
Thanks!

and finally got this answer...

Response (KATHLEEN CSR) - 07/27/2005 11:09 AM
If your Xtrail has pre-set mounting points then the North American installation for the vehicle is the 430 Tracker II Foot Pack, Tracker Kit TK2 and a pair 50" Load Bars. If it has raised rails running front-to-back down either side of the vehicle then it is require the 450 Crossroads Railing Foot Pack and a pair of 50" Load Bars.


..so, nothing specific for the X-Trail yet...
Hope this helps.

Personnaly, I gave up and choosed a SportRack 2EZ platform to fit my hitch.

Regards!
 
#8 ·
and finally got this answer...

Response (KATHLEEN CSR) - 07/27/2005 11:09 AM
If your Xtrail has pre-set mounting points then the North American installation for the vehicle is the 430 Tracker II Foot Pack, Tracker Kit TK2 and a pair 50" Load Bars. If it has raised rails running front-to-back down either side of the vehicle then it is require the 450 Crossroads Railing Foot Pack and a pair of 50" Load Bars.



This information is bunk!

The TK2 will not fit on the X-Trail. To fit a Thule rack to the X-Trail you need the following.

50" or 58" Load Bars
430 Tracker II Foot Pack
TK6 Tracket Kit

The TK6 needs to be modified to match the 2 3/16" pitch for the bolts on the fixed mounts. This is easy.

I have this setup on my X-Trail and it's rock solid!

Ken
 
#9 ·
Thule solution for X-Trail

Contrary to popular belief, the Thule 418 foot pack is still stocked by Thule Canada (Montreal) I used one of my customers to order it for me. Just about any bike/sports shop that carries Thule can order the pack for you.
It fits perfectly into the hard mount points in the top rails. I slightly modified the rubber foot pads by carefully cutting off the two little rubber "nubs" found on the bottom of the pads. Perfect fit. Thule will be offering a "Fit Kit" for the X-Trail in 2006 when the truck becomes available in the USA. The only problem with the 418 system is that it does not completely fill the space in the top rails. The new kit will.
As well, I noticed that there was a lot of wind noise with the Thule installed. That was fixed with the installation of the Nissan Sun Roof Deflector. Very quite now.
If you are in a rush to mount your Thule, get a 418 kit. If you can wait till spring, the "approved" kit will be available then.
 
#10 ·
thule modification for xtrail

I'm considering buying a 06 SE without that hyper roof rail because I want manual transmission. I have read I think all of the threads about the Thule solution for X Trail. I'm not clear on what I'm supposed to buy or and modify.

I understand about the load bars (50 or 58 inches), 430 tracker II foot pack.
Now about the Tracker kit, I need TK6 kit? Now what exactly do I need to modify? Please explain, as I would like to know before buying that xtrail.

Thanks in advance!


boatek said:
and finally got this answer...

Response (KATHLEEN CSR) - 07/27/2005 11:09 AM
If your Xtrail has pre-set mounting points then the North American installation for the vehicle is the 430 Tracker II Foot Pack, Tracker Kit TK2 and a pair 50" Load Bars. If it has raised rails running front-to-back down either side of the vehicle then it is require the 450 Crossroads Railing Foot Pack and a pair of 50" Load Bars.



This information is bunk!

The TK2 will not fit on the X-Trail. To fit a Thule rack to the X-Trail you need the following.

50" or 58" Load Bars
430 Tracker II Foot Pack
TK6 Tracket Kit

The TK6 needs to be modified to match the 2 3/16" pitch for the bolts on the fixed mounts. This is easy.

I have this setup on my X-Trail and it's rock solid!

Ken
 
#11 ·
Kayaker,

It is very easy to modify the TK6 foot pack. All you need to do is drill one hole in each "rail" section they give you, for a total of 4 holes drilled. This is to match the hole spacing on the X-Trail which is 2 3/8" ( I believe, measure and be sure)

I'll try and post pictures when I get home tonight. It's a very easy mod.

Ken
 
#12 ·
Ok I think I get it. I wouldn't mind a picture though. And the bolts are the right length and pitch?


boatek said:
Kayaker,

It is very easy to modify the TK6 foot pack. All you need to do is drill one hole in each "rail" section they give you, for a total of 4 holes drilled. This is to match the hole spacing on the X-Trail which is 2 3/8" ( I believe, measure and be sure)

I'll try and post pictures when I get home tonight. It's a very easy mod.

Ken
 
#14 ·
Wal,

This has been covered in other posts, try using the search function...

However, I have a Thule rack for the X, and it requires a minor modification of the TK6 foot pack. Here is a copy of my orriginal message...

To fit a Thule rack to the X-Trail you need the following.

50" or 58" Load Bars
430 Tracker II Foot Pack
TK6 Tracket Kit

The TK6 needs to be modified to match the 2 3/16" pitch for the bolts on the fixed mounts. This is easy, and only involves drilling 4 holes into the TK6 kit. No drilling into the vehicle. All the bolts etc are otherwise a direct fit.

I have this setup on my X-Trail and it's rock solid!

Ken
 
#16 · (Edited)
I have Rhino Sportz on my exy and they fit perfectly without any modification. They actually fit much better than the factory racks and cover the roof rail opening in full (unlike the factory ones)

HERE are the racks I have. (first ones from the top) and nope, the "surfboard" is not included. hehehehe :)


Rhino have an agent in Canada I believe, HERE
 
#17 ·
aussietrail said:
I have Rhino Sportz on my exy and they fit perfectly without any modification. They actually fit much better than the factory racks and cover the roof rail opening in full (unlike the factory ones)

HERE are the racks I have. (first ones from the top) and nope, the "surfboard" is not included. hehehehe :)


Rhino have an agent in Canada I believe, HERE
Look the same as the Uk Atera except they cover the roofrail opening, so a better bet I think...wish I had seen the link for Rhino before I bought mine!
 
#18 ·
This seems like as good a time as any for my first post. I've been lurking for a few months, but Wal's question was one I've been wrestling with since I bought my X in March.

I hope this isn't a thread hijack (I'm a forum newbie), but I have additional questions about roof racks for the X. The foam blocks for the canoe just don't cut it any more.

I've searched the forum, and have reached the conclusion that for Canadian X-Trails, there are four options:

1. Buy factory cross bars
2. Buy a Thule 430 and TK6 (or TK8 or TK9) and modify fit kit to match hole spacing
3. Track down an old Thule 418 foot kit
4. Import a European or Australian rack that fits

So my questions/comments are as follows:

1. This year Nissan apparently jacked the price of the factory rack to about $600. The dealer told me his cost is about $500. Is the 2006 model any different from a 2005 model rack? Has anybody bought a rack for a 2006? How much did you pay? Can the factory racks be used with the Thule (square bars) or Yakima (round bars) canoe carrier?

2. Boatek, or someone who has installed the modified Thule 430/TK6 rack, post a picture of their installation? I've been to Rack Attack in Vancouver twice and done a bit of a test fit on my X. They didn't have a TK6, but I tried the TK8. I can see where the holes need to be drilled, but without a plastic cover, the installation is ugly with the foot pad sitting on top of the aluminum rail. How many holes are in the TK6 rail? How have you managed to fair the gap in the rail, or have you bothered? Rack Attack has told me that modifying the rail will invalidate the warranty and that I'd have to sign the invoice in acknowledgement. Did anyone have this issue come up while buying the TK6 fit kit?

3. Local stores don't seem to have any of the Thule 418 kits anymore, nor are they interested in tracking them down. I saw one on E-Bay a couple weeks ago. Some people on this forum have mentioned having to trim the footpad to fit properly. Does the 418 fill the gap in the rail any better than a 430/TK6? If you've installed a 418, can you post a picture?

4. The most desperate option is to try an import something from overseas. The Thule UK website lists some racks for the X, but there appears to be different rail configurations in the UK. (I have some relatives coming from the UK in a few weeks, so I've considered having them pick up a foot kit for me). The most likely candidate seems to be the 417 foot, which is apparently different from a North American 417. Are the fixed points on a Canadian X the same as those on a European (or Australian) X? Are the bolt holes in the Canadian mounting bracket metric? If I got a European 417, would it work with North American Thule cross bars?
The Rhino Sportz that Jalal has installed look nice, but it doesn't look like a set for the X is available in Canada (surprise, surprise!)

Any help or suggestions from you guys would be appreciated, as I am getting frustrated with my roof rack search. Unfortunately for me, I didn't discover the roof rack issue until after I bought the vehicle. Otherwise I've been enjoying my X thoroughly!

Thanks

Michael
 
#19 ·
Hi Michael,
I searched for a few months for a proper fit kit before I bought my X-Trail, as I have the full Thule line of products. I am into many activities and have almost all the accessories for Thule. I didn't want to go to factory racks or anything else and then have to adapt my accessories or buy new ones. So I got a TK6 and the dealer drilled the other hole for me. The TK6 comes with two holes but are spaced farther apart then what we require. I sacrificed looks for functionality, and I am happy I did. My Thule rack fits fine and is secure. As far as the 418, they don't have those anymore and you will have to buy used (if you can fine one). I have not seen any and can't comment on the looks compared to my setup.

Regards,
Greg
 
#20 ·
aussietrail said:
HERE are the racks I have. (first ones from the top) and nope, the "surfboard" is not included. hehehehe :)
As usual the North American section of their website makes no reference to the XTrail. But looking at the fitting guide pdf from the .au website it looks like they completely fill the space left when you remove the covers from the rails.

aussietrail said:
Rhino have an agent in Canada I believe, HERE
If you put your area code in on the North American (on the home page) website there are a number of different distributers around. One in my city too. I might have to stop by and see if they can get these in.

Ian
 
#21 ·
IanR said:
it looks like they completely fill the space left when you remove the covers from the rails.
Yes they do. They fill in that gap in full and perfectly. Also they sit higher than the rear spoiler, which is very important if you plan to carry long gear or a luggage box.



I might have to stop by and see if they can get these in.

Ian
Even if they don't have it in stock they will be able to have them imported/ordered for you from the main office in Australia. They're authorised agents, so they will be able to do that. The price of the Rhino Sportz roof racks is $238AUD/pair here in Australia.
 
#22 ·
I bought the factory cross bars about 2 weeks ago from the dealer. They only cost around $250, so I don't know where the $500 would come from. Maybe that's how much they are for the Hyper Roof rack? I just have the regular small roof rack, no fancy lights :D

I also don't know if they are a different type then other people bought, but they fit fine over the existing rack. Someone said there is a space or gap, but the cross bar feet completely cover the "hole" on the roof rack so I'm not worried about water getting in.

The main reason I went with the factory one is that I have all the attachments from my VW which fit fine with a little bit of grinding to the little plate that anchors them.
 
#23 ·
Michael,

Answers to some of your questions...

Boatek, or someone who has installed the modified Thule 430/TK6 rack, post a picture of their installation?
I will when I get a chance, early next week. I'm away from home on business now.

How many holes are in the TK6 rail? How have you managed to fair the gap in the rail, or have you bothered?
You're on the right track, TK6, or TK8 or TK9 will all work. One new hole is drilled into each aluminum rail on the TK6 kit. I haven't bothered trying to fair the gap in the rail. Aerodynamically the cross bars and box or kayak or canoe will be more significant that the gaps in the roof rails. As for a rust concern, I don't really have one, as the exposed metal is all powder coated and well away from the road salt spray generated at the wheels. I would lube the nuts/bolts when you remove them as a preventative measure.

Rack Attack has told me that modifying the rail will invalidate the warranty and that I'd have to sign the invoice in acknowledgement. Did anyone have this issue come up while buying the TK6 fit kit?
I got my rails and feet used on ebay, so a warranty was not a concern.

Does the 418 fill the gap in the rail any better than a 430/TK6? If you've installed a 418, can you post a picture?
I don't think that the 418 will fill the gap any better than the TK6 option.

Are the fixed points on a Canadian X the same as those on a European (or Australian) X? Are the bolt holes in the Canadian mounting bracket metric? If I got a European 417, would it work with North American Thule cross bars?
I am confident that the bolt pattern and bolt size are the same on all X-Trails, and I believe that the European 417 will work with the NA Thule bars.

For me, the Thule solution has worked well. The only issue is that you have to take the entire system off the X-Trail to put the factory roof rail caps back on the vehicle. Not a big deal, more of an inconvience for me.

Hope this helps...

Ken
 
#24 ·
Thanks everyone for your help.
After seeing evjm's response I decided to double check the Nissan dealership. Turns out my salesman had no idea what he was talking about when he said that the 2006 racks were twice the price of the 2005. They were only in the $275 range.
Since I don't already have any accessories for Thule or Yakima that need to fit, I decided to go with the Nissan crossbars. Picked them up and installed them today, just in time to take the canoe out tomorrow.
Has anyone used or seen the Nissan canoe carrier? They have two different ones on the website, neither of which was in stock, and I'm not sure of the difference between them. I'll probably go without for this summer, but I am curious about them.
Thanks again!

Michael
 
#25 ·
I haven't seen the nissan canoe holder. All I use for my kayak is a couple curved pieces of foam on the crossbars and tie downs to the crossbars. I think Mountain Equipment Co-Op makes them, I bought them locally for ~$35. It's not the prettiest but it works even on the highway.
 
#26 ·
I've carried a 17 ft. canoe directly on the plain Nissan roof racks at highway speed. A nylon tiedown was used on each rack, with a pair of tiedowns from the front of the canoe to the front tie points under the bumper. I do wish that there was a rear tie point on each side, but for some reason they didn't include one on the exhaust side.
 
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