Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

Yakima Q-Towers

5K views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  hammick 
#1 ·
Has anyone put a rack on an '11 Cherokee using Yakima Q-Towers? On all my past SUV I have been able to use Yakima towers that grip the factory parallel rails. On the Cherokee it doesn't work. Thule makes some but they don't allow the installation of my Thule Evolution box far enough forward to clear the hatch.

Yakima says the Q-towers will work for me but I am worried about them scratching up my paint. Plus 125lbs max load including the weight of the box is not a huge amount. Below is the info from Yakima:


Here are the fit notes and measurements for your 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Q-towers over your factory rack:
Vehicle: JEEP Grand Cherokee
Year Range: 2011-2011
Fit Type: Top
Factory Rack: Fits Over Factory Racks
Weight Limit: 125
Tower/Attachment: Q Towers
Crossbar Length: 58" CrossBars
Recommended Fairing: 50" Fairing
Front Clips/Landing Pads: Q10-A
Rear Clips/Landing Pads: Q5-A
M Measurements:
M1: 47 1/8”
M2: 13”
M3: 46 ¼”
M4: 32”
Fit Notes:
82. Any load extending beyond the length of the roof (except luggage boxes) must be secured to both the front and rear of the vehicle, in addition to the rack.
114. Check clips after installing. Grab each clip and try to pull them hard away from your vehicle, twice. If the clip moves after the second pull, tighten the adjustment post. If the clip still moves after the second pull, recheck your measurements between the towers and adjust if necessary. Check clip again.
132. Any load/mount extending beyond the rear hatch seam may cause interference.
161. Maximum allowable weight load is 125 lbs.
180. This fit requires the use of current generation Q-Tower (4 Pack PN 8000124 or 2 Pack PN 8000135). Contact your local dealer if you have questions or call Consumer Service at 888-925-4621, Option 2, from 7am-5pm Pacific Time M-F.
197. Foam blocks limit capacity to one boat per vehicle.
 
See less See more
#2 · (Edited)
I have the Thule setup with Aero bars and have no complaints. However if that isn't a far enough spread do what Moosehead did. He went all out and got Yak towers with a rackattack rail setup, ripped the stock off the Jeep, he has the most flexibility out of all setups as the rails are much longer and more sturdy. Rails ~300 plus rack system

Check it out: http://www.jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=15504&highlight=rack+attack
 
#3 ·
Thanks. The more I read about the Q-towers the less I like them. I am hoping Yakima comes out with towers for the factory rack because I already have round Yakima Bars and the lock cores. If I go the Thule route I'll have to get their rectangular bars and lock cores. Either way I will have to drill new holes in the box to bet it far enough forward to clear the rear hatch spoiler.
 
#4 · (Edited)
The wife and I put the box on the Cherokee this morning. Good news is it fits and I won't have to re-drill the box to move it forward. It is the Thule Evolution 672 model (which is discontinued). I will have to install a shark fin.

I'm going to wait and see what Yakima comes up with for towers that fit the factory rails since I already have Yakima round bars fitted to my Thule Box and already have a set of lock cores that are keyed the same as my Yakima 4-bike hitch carrier. If Yakima doesn't have towers by next Spring I will have to buy the Thule towers, bars, fit kit and lock cores.

Come on Yakima, get your act together.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top