Thule Podium Fit Kit
Made for vehicles without rain gutters, the model-specific Thule Podium Fit Kit brackets are designed to be used with Thule Podium Foot Pack (not included) to secure your rack to your vehicle.
- For more sizes, see items 607162 and 686543
Made in USA.
| Best Use | Travel |
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Buyer beware - See user manual before you purchase
Read through user manual before you purchase. What's pictured on the main page is not what you get. I have a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a factory track and the clasp that comes with KIT 183142 faces the wrong way and will NOT clasp on to the factory track. The only thing that mounts your kit to the rail it the 4 bolts. I purchased the Wingbar Evo 135, Rapid podium and the KIT 18342 for a support for my Tupui rooftop tent and Im crossing my fingers that the 4 bolts is what's suppose to support and secure this to the rails. The 2015 Jeep rails only have the outer side of the rail with a lip for the clasps to grab onto as the inner rail is flush with nothing for the clasps to grab on to. HEADS UP
Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Thule FitKit 183142. Thule FitKits are designed to fit the specific mounting hardware on certified vehicles. Because there are hundreds of different FitKits, photos of each individual kit is not a practical approach, so general renders are used to give an idea of the component, though the actual structure may differ depending on the model. FitKit 183142 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee sits slightly above the flush railing because the plastic trim is not load bearing and attaching directly to it would damage the vehicle. The mounting points you described are still certified to carry a maximum of 165 pounds with the Thule WingBar Evo.
Fits like a glove, and sturdy
Absolutely loved how the fit kit fit my car. Had to buy model 4073 directly from Thule to fit Volvo V90 CC. Very sturdy, heavy gauge metal. Fit great, as good as OEM rack.
Perfect fit and specific to Audi Q7
Got these for my 2019 Audi Q7 and they worked perfectly and were labeled specifically for my vehicle. I have zero issues with clearing the sunroof and it was a breeze to install.
Security Flaw on Fit Kit 183118 / 3118 - BEWARE
I purchased these along with 2 Aeroblades ($250 each Aeroblad = $500 + $150 for kit = $650 total) I installed the mounting kit as well as the Aeroblades. All looks nice and the from the outside, the Aeroblades look good and secured to the point they cannot be stolen. If you guy the locks ($40-$100), you will *THINK* your blades will be safe. WRONG! The mounting kit screws are exposed on the inside of the blades, easily accessible and can be unscrewed manually in 3-4 minutes, in 1-2 minutes if one uses an automatic screwdriver. Entire purchase can be easily stolen in a heartbeat, whether you have locks or not. I am returning everything purchased. I contacted Thule, but no response. See pictures attached (you will notice that the thick plastic could easily be designed to at least cover the screws... or a hard plastic-shell like would be safer.
Perfect fit for 2021 BMW 330i (G20)
The Thule Mount Kit 183174 base mount kit fit my 2021 BMW 330i (G20) 4-door sedan perfectly. Very impressed with how easily it went together, and how well it fit the contour of the car's roof. The mount kit does not look like the picture on the website, rather it is made of four rubber pedestals tailored for each hard point location on the 330i's roof, a threaded post that fit into each hard point location, angles that engage with features at the top of each pedestal, accommodating my existing Thule 460R Aerobar set.
Works for Subaru Baja 2004
I was very happy that someone was kind enough to give advice via the internet regarding Subaru Bajas because it was difficult finding confirmation on the Thule website regarding the best product to fit. I went with the shorter bars and am happy with the decision. This does the job. It fits snugly and looks great. I think I just raised the value of my Subie. The instructions were a bit ambiguous. It took some time to arrange the set up just right, but it's doable.
Upgrade
I had the old style kit for my element since 2007 and it was still fine but I wanted to upgrade. This kit has less pieces and is easy to install. I got the 60 inch square evo bars for extra room so if you go that route for the element know that it is the absolute limit for the setting on the distance across the car...meaning the two feet can not be any closer because the cutout slot will not let them go any closer. Leave the hardware kind of loose or you will be stressing to get it to fit, then tighten up later...and yes I know my car is filthy
Salida CO Mountain Biking
Great product! Bolts right up to the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, however you have to purchase other components to have functioning rack system, it adds up quickly. It shouldn't be the cost of nearly 2 car payments.
Instructions unclear
The installation instructions left a lot to be desired, I had to refer to a lot of other forums and youtube videos to get through the installation process. I was installing them onto a 2020 Jeep Grant Cherokee, ad very nearly sent them back because the rubber casings fit so awkwardly onto my track. Finally I learned that the poorly fitting rubber casings were by design, and not to worry about it. The tools provided also made it very difficult to complete the install, as the height of the wrench was too tall, making the tightening maneuver almost impossible to do. Overall installation felt difficult and confusing, and the end result did not feel secure.
Unnecessary Proprietary Engineering Poor Support
I bought this for a 2017 Highlander and attempted to install. The top of one of the bolts sheered off when tightening. I was not applying a lot of pressure, just wanted it to be snug. After much searching and a call directly to Thule, the only option is to buy a new fit kit. No replacement parts are available. And… due to current demand, no fit kits are available. The bolt has two different threads. And, the metal plate that sits on top of the rubber shock-mount foot only accommodates the smaller diameter threaded part. A single bolt with one thread pattern would be easy to find and make this useable again. Unfortunately, that is not the way Thule designed their product.