Using the Thule XSporter Ladder Rack on a 2017 Toyota Tacoma to Carry a Kayak and Bikes  

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Expert Reply:

When installing the Thule XSporter Pro, part # TH500XTB-THXK4B on your 2017 Toyota Tacoma with a BedRug, like the complete kit for bare/spray in liners, part # BRY19DCK, you may need to measure and cut away the top of the bedrug to allow the clamps to attach to your bedrails, depending on the fit. The posts of the XSporter should move easily enough as they sit inside the bed about 1 inch.

For the Thule Peloton, you'll need part # THXADAPT9 to properly fit to the XSporter bars, as its channel and bar width are much larger than roof top bars. Most Thule kayak carriers will require part # THXADAPT3 to fit correctly as well.

In terms of removing these, it will depend entirely on what kind of carrier you use, and how low the XSporter can adjust inside your particular vehicle's bed. You'll lose about 3/4-inch when using these with the BedRug, due to its thickness.

If you use a shorter kit like the Thule Top Deck, part # TH881, a saddle style rack, you likely won't need to remove the saddles when parking in the garage. This has the added benefit of being fairly easy to load, as you can simply slide the kit onto the saddles from the rear of the vehicle without having to heft the kayak.

The Thule Peloton follows the same principle, with the added bonus that when mounted with part # THXADAPT9, sits lower, flush with the top of the rail, making it even easier to leave on when driving into the garage with the lowered XSporter bars.

expert reply by: Jacob W

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