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Yakima rack towers on 2012 v?

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by 2012 Prius v wagon 3, Mar 31, 2020.

  1. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

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    I have a 2012 v

    Have many Yakima rack components from my old car and hitch mount system that I'd like to be able to use on my Prius here. Have searched, and not found much info.

    Regarding rack clips that fit the door rails (e.g., Yakima Y-clips for the SST towers, or Q-clips for the Q towers), can anyone confirm what other models / years are the same as my 2012 v? For example, are things different for the v vs. the hatchback? Are 2010 through 2015 all the same? Before and after that generation?

    Ideally, I'd find the proper Y-clips so I can just use everything from my old setup (from a car I just sold), just using new clips. Am willing to modify, etc. What are the best Y-clips for my Prius?

    For others that don't know, the Yakima SST towers and Y-clips were phased out in the mid-90s. So simply looking it up in a compatibility catalog will just say it won't work - but that's only because they did not try to make the correct clip to fit the Prius roof side rails, not because it is impossible. Thanks.

    I would probably not leave the rack permanently installed. Would only use it for road trips as needed. Not concerned at all about MPG, etc.
     
  2. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I wish I could help but I started with Thule, and so kept with it's interchangeable part system.

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  3. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

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    I've been investigating a little. Here's a general question, regardless of the specific rack to be used:

    Feeling the underside of the roof side rails (the part of the body / roof that the top of the door goes up against), following the arch from the front of the car to the back, I can feel two separate, distinct segments in there that are a little deeper than the rest of the rail. That slightly deeper indentation should allow the roof rack clips to grip more securely and give some more space to avoid contact with the door. Their locations appear to be where one might think to attach roof racks.

    So my question is whether anyone has knowledge / information / references about whether those two locations actually are the designed rack attachment points. Are they reinforced structurally, in addition to their indentation?

    My car is a 2012 v. If anyone wants to confirm whether their car has these indentations, that would be helpful too, mainly out of curiosity. You can't really see them, but should be able to feel them. The indentation is maybe 2mm, over a distance of about 20 cm.
     
  4. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Here's the Thule instructions. It's kind of dark outside for me to check right now. Should help answer your question.

    The Thule Fit Kit 1668 seems to be going out of production. Thinking of getting it and the ARB53 bars to complete a set. Already have the 480R Foot Pack. View attachment 141668.pdf

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  5. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

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    Good info in that Thule PDF. I wish they used more words to go with the diagrams, but I guess most people can't read.

    That has instructions for the 2012+ 5-dr Estate and 2012+ v 5-dr Wagon, both with or without the glass roof.

    The last page there does not specifically mention the indentations I can feel. But the dimensions they give (12.25" from the top edge of the windshield to the front edge of the forward rack tower; 28" crossbar to crossbar spacing) match pretty much exactly with the indentations. Not a coincidence. So I'll infer that those are the preferred locations for the tower clips.

    I think my standard spacing for other cars I use my rocketboxes on is 32" spacing, and would probably try to move the rear bar 4" rearward to allow that. Will keep an eye out for documentation regarding rail reinforcement and whether this is still completely safe.
     
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Sounds like you have the same Yakima 1C-SST towers that I have, with the round bars.

    I also did extensive searching on Y-clips that would be compatible with our three Toyotas (2010 Camry SE, 2011 Prius Three, 2014 Corolla LE) but came up short. The best info I found was a fit list for the newer Q-clips.

    I came up with a solution that works very well to mount my old Yakima rack to my three cars securely. Once mounted, I can shake the car by grabbing the crossbars and tugging on them in multiple directions. However, the straps do interfere with the door seals, so expect water to enter the car if caught in heavy rain.

    Disclaimer: If you do this, I take no responsibility for any damage or injuries that may result. Do this at your own risk. ;)

    I got the idea for this mod from products like this.

    Here's what I did:

    Materials needed:

    3/16", or 1/4" quick links (4)
    1" ratcheting straps, or wider (4), like these.
    Soft loop strap tie downs (4), note, they are included if you get the ratcheting straps linked above.

    1) Remove all the screw down knobs with the lock cylinders in them, and Y-clips from the towers, you won't be using them.

    2) Attach the quick links through the lower keyholes for the extend a rack attachments at the back of the SST towers.

    3) Attach a soft loop strap through the quick link, thread the strap through the tower, above the foot pad, but below the mechanism where the original lock lever was installed. Repeat for all towers.

    4) Assemble your crossbars and towers.

    5) Place your roof rack on your car, open your doors, place the soft loops down into the passenger compartment.

    6) Hook the ratcheting tie down straps through the soft loop tie down loops and tighten the ratcheting straps until you get good tension. Hint: Placing the ratcheting mechanism on the passenger side will keep it away from your head when you are driving. Wrap the extra webbing/strap material around the ratcheting mechanism so it won't interfere with your driving/passengers. The straps pulling down and outward on the SST tower mechanism will tighten the tower on the crossbars preventing movement of the crossbar/towers.

    7) Check rack/towers for tightness and make any adjustments if necessary.

    I did place extra wood spacers/stabilizers on my crossbars to keep an even spacing between my crossbars, to prevent the towers from tipping forward or backward, but they aren't necessary. They just make setting up the roof rack easy now, because they can be carried onto the roof as a single unit, and I can hang it up in my garage easily for storage.
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 xliderider, Oct 10, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2020
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  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Now that I know the proof of concept works, I ordered beefier components.

    1.5" Soft Loops with higher load handling capacity. These will spread the force of the straps onto a slightly wider area.



    Triangle rings to bridge between the quick links and the soft loop straps.



    I'll also be using 1.5" or 2" ratcheting straps instead of the 1" straps I used earlier to cinch everything tight in the cabin. Yes, probably overkill, but I like the extra peace of mind the heavier straps will give me.

    I can use the 1" ratcheting tie down straps purchased earlier for securing the loads now.
     
    #7 xliderider, Oct 16, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2020
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  8. orlans108

    orlans108 Junior Member

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    Just a few months ago I installed Toyota OEM roof racks for a 2014 Prius v. They fit perfectly, and can be easily removed. I recommend them highly; they are well made and look great.
    I couldn't find them in the US, so had to order from Canada for about $300. Contact Michael Taylor <[email protected]> ... he's the parts guy at Scarborough Toyota in Canada, and he was more than helpful. Took a week to arrive.
    Here's the part:
    Genuine Toyota ROOF RACK PZ403G8610GA
     
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  9. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    $300 is a great price for roof racks, at least from my personal shopping around. Thanks for sharing!

    moto g(7) power ?
     
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  10. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Yep, looks nice. Unfortunately, the OP hasn't been around for a while.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Received the triangle rings and 1.5" soft loops.

    The 1.5" soft loops are definitely beefier than the 1 inch ones I had previously. So much so that they were bulky looping around the rings in the traditional way. I used some quick links to attach them to the rings. 20201110_104347.jpeg 20201103_101723.jpeg 20201110_104033.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. Pv14driver

    Pv14driver New Member

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    I was looking into the Toyota rack for my Prius v '14 as well. However I am concerned I can only fit one boat on it rather than two, because the crossbeam isn't as wide as a Yakima or Thule. Have your tried fitting two kayaks or a canoe and kayak onto your rack?
     
  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Update: The triangle rings were too bulky to use. Save yourself the trouble and don't get them. I ended up just looping the 1.5 inch straps through the quick links. It was a pretty tight fit, but it works.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.