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Customer Reviews

Difference Between Rhino Rack And Thule

Written by HItchweb Team
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 — 2 Comments

What is the difference between Rhino-Rack and Thule?


Thule vs Rhino Rack

There few differences between Rhino-Rack products and Thule products and there are also similarities. Let's go over how they compare.

  1. Both systems are designed to work on vehicle's that have the flush mounted rail system and both systems will be about the same in terms of effort for installing and removing.
  2. They have similar crossbar designs and features but Rhino-Rack has crossbars that are 7" longer at 54" versus the 47" for the Thule system. 
  3. Both Rhino-Rack and Thule offer a limited lifetime warranty.
  4. As far as noise, they are both similar and much quieter then most competing brands.  It's been said that the Thule AeroBlade bars may be a little quieter then the elliptical bars on the Rhino-Rack system, but both brands take the aerodynamics of their bars seriously.
  5. Both brands have bar types that are compatible with a wide range of accessories, in fact Rhino Rack's accessories are made to be compatible with other brands such as Thule and Yakima, in some cases adapters or fit kits may be required. So for instance, if you already have Thule's Aero Blade or Square bars, you can still install Rhino's Sunseeker Awning.
  6. Thule has a few more options when it comes to roof mounted bike racks, watersports and snowsports carriers however Rhino-Rack has been known to make lower profile ski racks.
  7. Rhino has some nice components like their quick release foot packs and a great easy-to-use clamping system for their cargo boxes that's worth seeing.
  8. Overall, for quality and price, Rhino currently seems to have the edge, they're able to provide a quality product and in most cases for a lower price, this is likely attributed to the fact that they're still trying to build their name in North America.

Now, people are often swayed to go with the brand they know, and Thule is that brand that people naturally consider as their first choice because the brand has been around North America for longer than Rhino-Rack. Conversely, if you go other parts like Australia or New Zealand, you'll find that Rhino is very prominent, so brand recognition alone doesn't make one better than the other.

Want to compare a specific Rhino-Rack product to the Thule brand? Contact us with the part numbers and we will look into it!

Hitch Bike Racks

Hitch Bike Racks

Roof Bike Racks

Roof Bike Racks

Pickup Bed Bike Racks

Pickup Bike Racks

 Kayak Racks

Kayak Racks

Boat Racks

Boat Racks

Snowboard & Ski Racks

Snow Sport Racks

Foxwing Vehicle Awning

Vehicle Awnings

Cargo Carriers

Cargo Boxes

Rhino Roof Luggage Bags

Roof Luggage Bags

Rhino Roof Baskets

Roof Baskets

 

Posted in Cargo

Comments


Hitchweb Team
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Hello, Unfortunately you will not be able to only change the kits. The safe fitment for the 09 focus uses 1,118mm crossbars and fit kit DK061, Unfortunately the 2014 focus sedan uses a 1,260mm crossbar and fit kit DK307. The only parts that can be shared between these two kits safely would be the RLKVA leg system.
Anonymous
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Hello! I am looking at buying a sedan compatible roof rack system. I would like to buy rhino-rack but I know that I will be going from a 2009 ford focus to 2014 in the next year. If I buy Rhino Rack will I be able to buy the individual fit kit designed to adapt my rack for $75 or $100 or will I have to buy a whole new kit? I know that with Thule you can buy just the fit kit, but I am nervous as the rhino rack website is hard to operate like that.
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