I have had a THULE set-up on my car for over three years now. I worked at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports and we sold Yakima products there (a THULE sales rep was dating an employee there and he hooked me up with the tower, x-bars, fairing, and a ski rack for free). I love the Yakima accessories but I like the THULE rack system much more. The tower, bar, and fairing design are all much better looking and easier to use IMHO. I've carried four bikes, four kayaks, a snowboard w/ 2 sets of skis, and some miscellaneous cargo. I'd say Yakima and THULE are equal in quality. I think THULE's roof rack is sleeker and Yakima's more basic accessories are better than THULE's. Don't buy anything else than those two companies though or you will get some cheap crap.