When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Roof Transport System - Non Porsche Accessory Compatibility
Hi all,
I've recently added the roof transport system on my C4S. I also ordered the Porsche 320L roof box in Platinum finish, but due to shipping and stock delays, I may not receive the roof box until mid/end of February.
I was planning on driving the 911 to go snowboarding next weekend, so I wanted to check out quick/cheaper options for the Ski & Snowboard Roof Rack attachment. I can contact my Porsche dealer tomorrow, but they always seem to be out of stock of any Porsche accessories (I guess this is how Porsche dealers work in Japan...), so they will likely say they need to ship it from Germany etc.
If they have the Porsche brand ski/snowboard rack attachment in stock, I'll likely just purchase it from them -- but in the case that they are out of stock, I was wondering if non Porsche brand ski/snowboard mounts would be compatible with the Porsche Roof Transport System (I found quite a few brands like Inno, Yakima, Thule etc. with ski snowboard mounts at a fraction of the cost of Porsche's). My understanding is that the Porsche Roof Transport System uses T-bar/T-bolt mounting screws, so would any of the non Porsche brand ski mounts that are also using a T-bar/T-bolt mounting system be compatible with Porsche's roof transport system? I understand that any universal clamp/hook mounting system would work with Porsches Roof Transport System, but curious about the T-bar/T-bolts (if they are all the same universal sizing, and fit in Porsche's rack).
I have always used the U bolt fitments. I feel more secure with the U bolts wrapping around the whole bar. And, they are easy to install. I have a Packasport box, it’s pretty heavy and going 80 or 90 with just the little barrels holding everything together, I dunno. I’d bet the barrels are universal and I am sure engineering
ensures they are safe, just my observation
Most roof rail accessories should attach without any issue just like they would attach to brands like Thule, Yakima, etc. I have the Porsche rails and attached a cargo box by Inno without any issues.
I've recently added the roof transport system on my C4S. I also ordered the Porsche 320L roof box in Platinum finish, but due to shipping and stock delays, I may not receive the roof box until mid/end of February.
I was planning on driving the 911 to go snowboarding next weekend, so I wanted to check out quick/cheaper options for the Ski & Snowboard Roof Rack attachment. I can contact my Porsche dealer tomorrow, but they always seem to be out of stock of any Porsche accessories (I guess this is how Porsche dealers work in Japan...), so they will likely say they need to ship it from Germany etc.
If they have the Porsche brand ski/snowboard rack attachment in stock, I'll likely just purchase it from them -- but in the case that they are out of stock, I was wondering if non Porsche brand ski/snowboard mounts would be compatible with the Porsche Roof Transport System (I found quite a few brands like Inno, Yakima, Thule etc. with ski snowboard mounts at a fraction of the cost of Porsche's). My understanding is that the Porsche Roof Transport System uses T-bar/T-bolt mounting screws, so would any of the non Porsche brand ski mounts that are also using a T-bar/T-bolt mounting system be compatible with Porsche's roof transport system? I understand that any universal clamp/hook mounting system would work with Porsches Roof Transport System, but curious about the T-bar/T-bolts (if they are all the same universal sizing, and fit in Porsche's rack).
Anything with the little bolts that can slide into the porsche rack rails will work, I use Thule Snowboard racks and Rocky Mounts bike racks with no issue. Obviously any U mount will work as well, but will mar the rack's finish, but not that big of an issues unless you are super OCD.
I added an Inno t-bolt ski/snowboard rack that I bought on Amazon for about $110. The Inno t-bolts fit the Porsche RTS well and had no issues with fitment. Also Inno has their brand attached with stickers, but you can peel the stickers off easily for more of a stock look.
Regarding the rubber wind diffuser strips that come with Porsche RTS, I had them on the roof rack when nothing was installed on top, but is the idea to cut the rubber wind diffusers to fit around any t-bolt attachments that you add on the roof rack?
I was thinking to wait until the Porsche roof box arrives (assuming the length between the t-bolts are different from Inno’s ski rack) — but I am noticing a lot of wind noise/whistling with no rubber seal strips on the RTS…
I added an Inno t-bolt ski/snowboard rack that I bought on Amazon for about $110. The Inno t-bolts fit the Porsche RTS well and had no issues with fitment. Also Inno has their brand attached with stickers, but you can peel the stickers off easily for more of a stock look.
Regarding the rubber wind diffuser strips that come with Porsche RTS, I had them on the roof rack when nothing was installed on top, but is the idea to cut the rubber wind diffusers to fit around any t-bolt attachments that you add on the roof rack?
I was thinking to wait until the Porsche roof box arrives (assuming the length between the t-bolts are different from Inno’s ski rack) — but I am noticing a lot of wind noise/whistling with no rubber seal strips on the RTS…
I always love seeing 911s with roof transport systems installed, it makes me happy to see the exact opposite of garage queens: cars that are being used as much as possible, rather than being buried in a garage. That's awesome. Kudos, OP.