ProView – Thule Caprock Review

My partner and I have been building out our Nissan Frontier truck for camping and off-roading over the past four years and we were really excited to take the Thule Caprock rack for a spin. The Frontier is typically carrying a rooftop tent in the summer and we take it off for fall/winter when we’re off-roading and snowboarding. I was super excited when I heard Thule was coming out with the Caprock rack because we’ve been wanting a platform to switch out the crossbars our rooftop tent was previously set up on. 

We had the opportunity to take this rack camping and off-roading a handful of times in the Colorado Rockies this spring and we were pleasantly surprised with how much this rack could positively impact our truck. 

Setup

Setting up the rack was very easy and straight-forward. The tools and instructions Thule provided made installation a breeze. If you can put together an IKEA bookshelf, you can set this bad boy up on your car. I would definitely recommend having two people help lift the rack onto a car as the rack is super heavy and sturdy.

Performance

The Caprock Rack performed super well and did exactly what we wanted to … and more! It was awesome to replace our crossbars and have our expectations exceeded by how great this rack functions. We were able to mount gear easily and I had no concerns about loading heavy gear, including a rooftop tent, thanks to its sturdy construction. We especially loved how well it worked with our rooftop tent for setup and takedown. Setting up a rooftop tent on a lifted truck can have its challenges as you work your way around the truck stepping on the tailgate, backseat, and even the tires to get high enough to unzip and open up the tent. The Caprock Rack gave us really useful anchor points to hold onto as we were setting up our tent.  

As you can tell, the ability to hang on was one of my favorite features of the rack.

Look

Let’s be real … rooftop platforms look “cool” and give that overlanding feel. This rack was no different. The rack has a sleek matte black finish that really completes the look of our truck.

Features

The main feature of the Caprock Rack is mounting gear, which was a breeze. It mounts directly to Thule Evo foot packs and can also be used with third-party feet as well. We set ours up on the Thule Evo feet and we were able to utilize spare Thule T-nuts from another Thule rack, effortlessly sliding them into place. The modular design offers incredible versatility, allowing us to attach our rooftop tent, our recovery box, traction boards, and more. We can also mount our ski racks for the winter as well which will be great!

Durability

This rack can handle a whopping 150 kg (330lb) of load capacity. On top of that, the high-quality construction of the Caprock Rack gave me peace of mind while mounting heavy equipment onto our car. Despite encountering rough terrain (and maybe a couple trees), the rack showed no signs of wear or damage.

Who is this product for?

This is a great product for anyone wanting to mount gear on their car. I think someone who is using their vehicle to adventure and/or go off-roading would find the most use out of this rack. It’s perfect for someone who wants to upgrade the mounting system for their rooftop tent or for the thrill-seeker who wants to be able to mount recovery gear for easy-access.

What sets this product apart?

The overall design, functionality, and durability really set this product apart. I’m super excited to continue using it because it’s been a joy so far and I’m sure there are more functions we’ll continue to use it for in the future.

The Final Word

The Thule Caprock Rack is an exceptional platform that unlocks the potential for outdoor adventures. With its easy setup, sturdy construction, and sleek design, it seamlessly integrates into any rig. The versatility and durability of the Caprock Rack make it a must-have for those seeking to explore off the beaten path. 

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