I have owned Thule racks since 1995. I bought mine used, at a "Play it Again" sporting goods store. I carry fiberglass ladders. I have carried a 24' extension ladder, and 12', 8' and (2) 6' a frame ladders, all at once, many many times, for hundreds of miles, without any problems. Kind of looks like the Grapes of Wrath, but those things are tougher than nails. On the bimmer however, there is one thing I notice. If I open the sunroof with the racks on, the wind makes a funny howling noise.