Kayaker

Hey all,
I just purchased an A3 on Monday. What a sweet ride? Coming from a Toyota 4 Runner, I never knew driving could be so much fun. I'm a pretty avid sea kayaker and my question is how much spread in inches between the crossbars are you with racks able to get? Ideally, I love to get 36 inches. This is a minimum to get the kayak cockpit between the crossbars. The kakaks weigh about 50-60 pounds each. That should fall within the range that yakima and thule allow.

Thanks for any input you can provide.
Bob

2006 A3 2.0T, DSG,Premium,Cold,Lava Pearl,OS,beige leather

RyanS3

I like having the option to remove my rack in minutes b/c they ruin the lines of the A3. And any rack + Open sky is LOUD with or without the sunroof open.

<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/ryanscamera268.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/ryanscamera269shopedCODED.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/ryanscamera297.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/ryanscamera087.jpg">


I have no idea what happened to the website. AudiUsa used to have all the lifestyle rack system accessories on there. INCLUDING A KAYAK rack! It's in the accessory book, check your parts counter.

Yes the thule and yak stuff rules, this is the first time EVER that I'm using OEM. It's b/c I had to get a surf board to the shore in July and nobody else has a solution yet. Now I'm beginning to like the gutter rack system since it's easily removed, by myself in about 4 minutes.<ul><li><a href="http://collection.audiusa.com/store/subcategory.asp?parent%5Fcategory%5Fid=11&amp;cate gory%5Fid=120&amp;subcategory%5Fid=536">audi site is lacking now!</a></li></ul>

MarkFank

What bike mount options do you have w/ the Audi rack? Can you use Yak mounts?

RyanS3

OEM/ is thule, don't know about compatibility with aftermarket thule though! yet.

0cean

Man.. I miss surfing..

bouldermax

I have been down this road......Neither Thule or Yakima have yet released racks (feet) that work with the A3. Both claim to be working on it. RyanA3 is correct - his rack is made by Thule for Audi, but you have to buy directly from Audi and there are limitations (and it is a pricey option). I actually bought a Yakima rack for my A3 from a great dealer last Summer who tried to make it all work, but the rack would slip a bit with bikes on top, so I took it off. Not worth the risk. So, I am patiently waiting for either Y or T to formally support the A3, and in the meantime, my old Audi 100 with Yak racks takes my bikes/Yak box around as needed.

Kayaker

Thanks for the responses. Hopefully the first person who hears that Yak or Thule have an A3 rack, they will post here. Good thing I have lots of friends with racks already.
Bob

steveracer

Will need a bike rack come spring--keep us posted!

Paris UK

I do have the 3 door,

www.roofbox.co.uk do Thule roof bars for the Sportback with or without rails.

cheewy

was that they finished testing and what not, but Sweden (place where they are being manufacutured) is delaying them so basically Thule said the fit kit won't be available till middle/end of Feb. Originally they said Jan, but now its being delayed. Sooo pissed cuz I need one for my ski trips and Audi ones are sold out everywhere as well...

Good thing out seats fold down.