Here's the scoop on Yakima and Thule racks for the RL:
As of two weeks ago, Yakima's fit kit for the RL is still under development. No timeline for completion. Thule has a fit kit listed on their fit list at their website (under the 2005 model year, btw), but I was told by the Thule rep that the kit will not be in the country (Thule is Swedish) for several months.
So, if you want to have Yakima or Thule racks, you have few options:
I have a lot of Yakima and Thule accessories already, so I didn't want to spend the $280 or so for the factory rack. So I did a permanent installation with the Yakima Track system, which are tracks that bolt on permanently to the roof, and Landing Pad and Control Tower towers for the bars. This isn't for the squemish: you have to drill into the roof. But it looks completely clean and stock after its done, and it's easy to remove the rack from the tracks if you need to go into a car wash. Plus you can slide the bars as needed for different loads.
I also bought the wind fairing because the wind noise was fierce. The fairing cut it down to almost nothing.
Pics:
Oh, if you don't like the giant "Yakima" or "Thule" logo on your fairing, simply install the fairing backwards.
As of two weeks ago, Yakima's fit kit for the RL is still under development. No timeline for completion. Thule has a fit kit listed on their fit list at their website (under the 2005 model year, btw), but I was told by the Thule rep that the kit will not be in the country (Thule is Swedish) for several months.
So, if you want to have Yakima or Thule racks, you have few options:
- Permanent installation using tracks or landing pads
- The factory rack and clips to fit on the crossbars so you can use Yakima or Thule accessories
I have a lot of Yakima and Thule accessories already, so I didn't want to spend the $280 or so for the factory rack. So I did a permanent installation with the Yakima Track system, which are tracks that bolt on permanently to the roof, and Landing Pad and Control Tower towers for the bars. This isn't for the squemish: you have to drill into the roof. But it looks completely clean and stock after its done, and it's easy to remove the rack from the tracks if you need to go into a car wash. Plus you can slide the bars as needed for different loads.
I also bought the wind fairing because the wind noise was fierce. The fairing cut it down to almost nothing.
Pics:



Oh, if you don't like the giant "Yakima" or "Thule" logo on your fairing, simply install the fairing backwards.