Thule XSporter 500XT vs TracRac Pro 2 for 3rd Gen

Wondering if anyone has successfully installed either a

$1,050 Thule 500XT Thule Xsporter Pro Multi-Height Aluminum Truck Rack

Thule 500XT or a TracRac Pro in the bed of a 3rd Gen? All online stores state these are multifit, but none state that either racks are 2016+ compatible (at least not on their site). Couple of questions:

1. Is the bed rail system the same on the 2016+ as it was on the 2010 - 2015? If so, than using the XK3 Thule Tacoma kit will install the 500XT without any issues. Can anyone confirm?

2. What about the Tacoma mounting kits one on the TracOne racks? If the bed rail systems are the same on both the gens, then these kits should both work.

Lastly, what are the pros and cons of each from a user perspective? Is the height adjustability (even though it is limited to the depth of the Tacoma bed sides worth the extra cost of the 500XT over the simple TracRac?

 

Someone mentioned the other day Thule was dragging their feet. Seems like a trip to a local REI or truck outfitter that carries the brands could answer the question in short order. Those racks are everywhere on the Hawaiian island Tacos so if they don't work, lots of surfers are gonna be unhappy.

 

I have talked to 2 truck outfitters. Their answers are: We will list it as soon as the manufacturers do. If anyone has done this, please chime in. And I agree with you on the Taco being the official truck of Hawai'i. I have family there and these trucks are like a precious metal, they hold their value like crazy.

 

REI staff could not confirm fit as Thule had not updated their site for the 2016 Tacoma. I'm waiting for the

$1,050 500XT Thule Xsporter Pro Multi-Height Aluminum Truck Rack

500XT as well.

 

Yeah, I bet they will both work, it is just a matter of Thule or TracRac confirming. I am staring to lean more towards the TracRac Pro. Wth the bed design, the

$1,050 500XT Thule Xsporter Pro Multi-Height Aluminum Truck Rack

500XT is severly limited in how low it will adjust, with Autoanything coupons it costs twice as much, and is weight rated much lower than the TraRac. Plus, they come in black which will make it less or an eye sore in the bed. Nonetheless, cannot pull the trigger until I know if it will fit for sure!

 

I have a TracOne system that I am thinking uses the same mount kit. Thule says it is looking like April. Here is their response to my inquiry: Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response Via Email(Karen) - 02/17/2016 08:53 AM
Hi Stephen -

We do not have a fit just yet for the 2016 Tacoma. There was a change in the location of the deck rail system forcing us to have to create a new clamp. That is underway in our engineering department. We hope to have something available in the beginning of April.

Thank you,

Thule Customer Support

 

April is also the month that the CVT RTT groupbuy goes down. Perfect timing. Good info, thanks for sharing.

 

I just off the phone with Thule and they said the 2016 Tacoma adapter is coming... but, that was it. No other info. I ordered a Yakima Dry Dock trailer hitch and Yakima Naked Roof Baseline single roof rack till I can install my thule 500 xsporter truckbed rack. I'll keep the roof rack on it once I install the xsporter. I have long kayaks and a 23' Wenonah minn 4 canoe (Kevlar)... so, have 3 tie down points will be good for me.

 

Have anyone gotten an update on the Thule rack yet for 2016 taco?

 

The Thule Xsporter mounts are now available! I should have mine mounted after I get off work today. I ordered from Proline Racks, they had the best price and the shipping was very fast. The 2016 mounts have Thule part # XK4.

 

It's on. It appears to be pretty solid.

 

That rack looks awesome. I got my mounts today and should pick up the Xsporter from my buddy in the next day or two. Hove you noticed any wind noise or decrease in mileage since you installed your rack? I have the short bed and based on your pictures I won't be able to adjust the height any lower than what you have in the picture.

I'm also going to go by Home Depot tomorrow and see if the Thule mounts work with their TracRac system. I read somewhere that TracRac is Thule's commercial brand.

 

I installed the rack this evening, so no driving impressions yet. The rack is in the lowest position, but I don't think it's going to be loud.

 

Any chance you measured the height from the bed rails to the top of the rack? I was leaning towards the Xsporter because I thought it could be used lower (not sticking up above the top of the cab very much) than the Trackrack but now I'm starting to think they are about the same height. I think the Trackrack is about 25" tall.

 

Yes us Hawaii 16 taco owners are waiting for the Thule adapter they will be in the islands later this week or next week can't wait. Almost every truck that has a surfer/kayaker/paddle boarder has these racks and they're awesome.

 

Thanks! Looks great. How was the fitting?

 

You can modify the rack by cutting some height off of the legs and that will allow you to lower the rack below the cab. I am fine with how low it goes, I bought it because I can raise it to different levels so I can carry canoes and sea kayaks. My canoe and sea kayaks are 17 feet long so I need them to clear the cab area . The rack fits great, the install was pretty straight forward. I did modify my bed rails so I can easily remove / install the rack .

 

I went by Home Depot this morning and took the new Thule mounting brackets inside and they appear to work with the $299 Trackrack system. By the end of the day I'll either have that one or the Thule Xsporter. I'm leaning towards the Trackrack because i think i prefer the angled legs as opposed to the vertical legs on the Thule. Also since i dont think I'll be able to make much vertical adjustment because of the wheel wells I'm not seeing that it is worth it to spend the extra money on the Thule. I'm going to think about it today at woek and pick one of then up on the way home this afternoon.

 

^^^ curious to see what Iansanders chooses. I've seen a couple 2016's with racks, but just passing on the highway. Unsure of the brands, but they were definetely not the Thule's. They looked more like the TrackRacks

 

Well, i can verify the Thule mounts work with the TracRac. I picked up the $299 model from Home Depot and it fits well. After putting it on, i feel it sticks up over the cab higher than i would like at about 7 to 8 inchea. Other than that i have no real complaints. The extra height makes it difficult to get my paddleboards up there. After putting it on i think i prefer the more stock look and think i may go with an OEM roof rack. But i did take a few pictures for you guys.