How Tall is the Thule Xsporter Ladder Rack and Will I Have Enough Cab Clearance to Haul my Kayaks

Updated 01/14/2014 | Published 01/13/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Thule Xsporter Pro Adjustable Height Truck Bed Ladder Rack - Aluminum - 450 lbs - Silver

(87)

$1149.95

Thule Xadapt3 Xsporter Load Bar Adapter for the Hullaport

(51)

$34.95

Question:

Do we have clearance Clarence? Currently have a Thule 422 on my Dodge Ram Quad. When my kayaks are on it they hit/rest on the top of the cab which isnt good for the kayak or the truck - and requires some mods. How tall is the 500 by comparison? What is the max height from the bed to the top of the rack? Ive read everything from 26inch - 28inch but dont know people are measuring from or to?

asked by: Jeff

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Thule Xsporter Pro Adjustable Height Truck Bed Ladder Rack # TH500XT is adjustable up to 27 inches. This is an overall height adjustable measurement. I measured one that we had on hand, and this measurement is from the top of the base assembly (that attaches the rack to the bed rails of your truck) to the bottom of the load bars. Additionally, the load bar is 1-5/8 inches wide, so the total measurement from the bed rail to the top of the load bar would be 28-5/8 inches.

I have included a couple of photos showing this rack installed on a Dodge Ram Quad cab for your reference. These photos show the rack in the fully extended position, and you can see there is quite a bit of clearance between the load bar and the top of the cab. I have also included two videos for you, one is a review of the this rack system on a Dodge Quad cab and you can see how it would look on your truck. The other video construction and installation process of the rack system.

Considering the measurements that you provided for the Xsporter # TH500XT, it is possible that the width of the load bars may have been the reason for the variances in measurements that you are indicating. The Thule Xsporter 422 is no longer in production, and unfortunately I do not have one available to measure for comparison to the current TH500XT Xsporter. You will probably need the Thule Xadapt3 # THXADAPT3 to install the carrier on the Xsporter system.

I have provided links to the products recommended above, a helpful article, and a link to all the watersport carriers that we currently offer for your reference.

expert reply by: Rachael H