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Thule Rack on Chrysler Pacifica

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Thule Rack on Chrysler Pacifica

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Old 03-31-07 | 08:19 PM
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Thule Rack on Chrysler Pacifica

I was wondering if anyone has mounted a Thule bike rack on a Chrysler Pacifica using the roof racks. Will a Thule fork mount rack fit on the Pacifica's luggage bars or do I have to convert the bars over to Thule bars. It would be nice if I could find a way to mount like the Thule Velo Vise with the factory bars. If I have to convert everything, with the Thule feet, bars and two racks I am looking at around $400. Just trying to do things right but be cost effective at the same time. Kind of don't want to spend $400 since this is a company vehicle and we'll only have it for 2 years.
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Old 03-31-07 | 09:46 PM
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Don't know for sure, but I got a set of "Mighty Mounts" for Thule to mount some bike trays to my wife's Subaru. The Mighty Mounts are designed to fit factory roof racks and accept Thule gadgets, so that might be worth checking out. I got mine at REI.
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Old 04-01-07 | 07:14 AM
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Why don't you check with Thule? That's what I'd have to do to answer your question.
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Old 04-01-07 | 09:47 AM
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I have been down this same road. I also have a company provided pacifica, new every two years, I just got my second one. My first was an early '05 model and I could not find a compatible rack system for it- I believe at the time they did not make an attachment for the "unique" track system on the pacifica.
I ended up getting a relatively inexpensive rack system from Xport (around $150 or so). No gimmicks but it works just fine- it clamps (bolts) directly to the cars crossbars on the factory rack. I just transferred it over to my new "07 and it took about five minutes, continues to work fine. Only downside is it only allows for two trays.

One more thing on the Xport- the tray's did not accommodate disk brakes for my mountain bikes- I simply used a hacksaw to cut away a small section on the brake side of the tray to make room. A two minute fix that works fine.
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Old 04-01-07 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Why don't you check with Thule? That's what I'd have to do to answer your question.
Because I'm sure Thule would tell me that I have to have this and this and that and everything else. Usually with these types of gadgets, there is the way Thule advises you to do it so they can get the most money out of you and then there is another way that is just as effective but you don't have to buy all of the stuff Thule "recommends".
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Old 04-01-07 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by chaffyd
I have been down this same road. I also have a company provided pacifica, new every two years, I just got my second one. My first was an early '05 model and I could not find a compatible rack system for it- I believe at the time they did not make an attachment for the "unique" track system on the pacifica.
I ended up getting a relatively inexpensive rack system from Xport (around $150 or so). No gimmicks but it works just fine- it clamps (bolts) directly to the cars crossbars on the factory rack. I just transferred it over to my new "07 and it took about five minutes, continues to work fine. Only downside is it only allows for two trays.

One more thing on the Xport- the tray's did not accommodate disk brakes for my mountain bikes- I simply used a hacksaw to cut away a small section on the brake side of the tray to make room. A two minute fix that works fine.
Cool, I look into these racks. I appreciate it.
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Old 04-01-07 | 11:04 AM
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Thules are designed to clamp onto most factory luggage bars, as they are usually adjustable to some extent. Also, if it doesn't, any local rack shop should have adapters. Changing the whole factory bar is not necessary.
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Old 04-01-07 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by mpd224
Because I'm sure Thule would tell me that I have to have this and this and that and everything else. Usually with these types of gadgets, there is the way Thule advises you to do it so they can get the most money out of you and then there is another way that is just as effective but you don't have to buy all of the stuff Thule "recommends".
So rather than take the advice from the people who make and stand behind the product you'd prefer to take advice from somebody who you don't know, who may not have a clue, and who might well be stretching the truth regarding their own experience.
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Old 04-01-07 | 01:55 PM
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I already had the Thule bars, etc. from my previous car...so for my Pacifica all I had to buy was the necessary foot attachments...some little doohicky that attaches to the Pacifica factory gutter and stays there, and a foot connecting doohicky to bar...Not too expensive.
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Old 04-01-07 | 09:53 PM
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It's ##11, IIRC. You have to special order it from REI (or another Thule dealer). I still haven't bought the feet since the bike fits inside.
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