Thule roof racks come with everything you need to install them on all kinds of vehicles and are really simple to do.
In This Article...
Can you put roof racks on your own house?
With a roof rack, your car becomes an all-purpose, trip-taking machine for your active family. Even while basic roof racks are a common feature on many vehicles and SUVs, if your vehicle doesn’t already have one, you can install one yourself.
Whatever your car’s starting configurationbare roof (no rack at all), roof rails (no crossbars), or complete rackwith these suggestions, you’ll quickly have your gear loaded and prepared for your next family vacation.
Full Roof Rack
Your objective has already been mostly completed if your car has roof rails and crossbars. You merely need gear adapters, that’s all. For example, customized adapters clamp to your current crossbars to transport a bike or a kayak.
Installation takes only a few minutes and only a few simple tools, if any at all, are needed. To make moving your equipment even simpler, several automakers, like Subaru, sell individual parts. After installation, load your equipment in accordance with the manual that came with the adapters.
RoofRailsOnly
Your car’s roof rails are really just a smaller version of a full roof rack. A set of crossbars is the ingredient that is lacking. Although your car’s manufacturer presumably makes crossbars specifically for your particular make and model, you can also likely find aftermarket crossbars that connect to your existing roof rails. Use the provided tool or a set of simple hand tools to attach them. Once the crossbars are in place, you must locate the proper adapters to mount the particular equipment you are towing.
Bare Roof
Factory and aftermarket alternatives can get you and your gear on the road with minimum hassle even if all you have to work with is a plain roof. Your service center can typically provide the templates and drilling needed for factory roof racks. On the other hand, you can install a set of factory roof racks in about an hour with the right equipment, factory instructions, and persistence.
There are alternatives to factory roof racks. Bolt-on roof racks will demand careful consideration while designing and building, especially with regard to waterproofing. When not in use, clamp-on roof racks are simple to mount and demount without the need for drilling.
Things to Keep in Mind Regarding Roof Racks
Depending on your car, aftermarket roof racks could not come as a kit but rather as individual pieces. Similar to this, gear adapters are specialized, e.g., for a cargo basket or snowboard, so you just need to acquire what you require. Look for security elements that can help prevent theft of your roof rack, adapters, and most crucially, your equipment, such as a keyed clamp, special installation tools, or a security cable pass-through.
Any non-factory racks, or at the very least the crossbars, should be taken off while not in use. Even empty roof racks can significantly harm your car’s aerodynamics, reducing its fuel efficiency. Of course, you won’t have to worry about this if you’re actually carrying stuff.
Be careful when loading and unloading your gear because roof racks are high, possibly even above your head. You might damage yourself, break a window, or scratch the paint. However, if you put in a little extra work, you’ll soon be cruising to the beach or the slopes without any mess!
Consider shopping for all the cargo accessory products on NAPA Online or having your regular maintenance and repairs handled at one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare facilities instead. Consult a qualified specialist at your nearby NAPA AUTO PARTS shop for more details on roof racks.
What position should Thule roof bars be in?
The bars should be spaced between 24 and 36 inches apart, measured from the same position on each crossbar, unless otherwise specified in the construction instructions.
Roof racks might they harm your car?
When it comes to traveling with a roof rack, the staff at Mick’s Garage are experts. For more than ten years, they have sold and installed roof racks on clients’ cars. They have acquired a plethora of experience and understanding about the typical problems you can encounter throughout that period. When installing and utilizing a roof rack, there are some frequent problems and errors that individuals make.
Here is MicksGarage’s list of the Top 10 Dos and Don’ts for avoiding them.
- Us guys typically don’t read directions, and to be honest, the majority of us get away with it 95% of the time! Before taking a single bolt out of the box to install a roof rack on your car, it is crucial to read all the directions completely. In the long term, they will assist you in doing the task more quickly, easily, and safely. While not necessary, having an extra set of hands is unquestionably very beneficial. Don’t forget that your car is worth far more than the roof racks you just got; don’t ruin it by failing to read the directions!
2. “Take special note of the torque settings (if mentioned). A roof rack that is installed and utilized correctly will provide years of trouble-free service and won’t harm your automobile. Your automobile may sustain harm from a poorly fitting, overloaded, or improperly torqued roof rack. For some helpful advice on installing a roof rack properly, watch this MicksGarage video.
3. “The fittings on your roof rack can rust over time if it is left on your car and exposed to the environment. A little copper lubricant on the mounting bolt threads will help prevent corrosion and make removing them in the future much simpler to combat this.
4. “The maximum weight that can be carried on the top of your automobile is listed in the owner’s manual. It’s crucial to check and never go above whichever is the lesser of the two weight limits because we frequently find that the car has a lower restriction than the roof bars.
5. “Loading a roof rack with large, heavy objects can be challenging. Get help moving that 12-foot boat instead of damaging your beautiful paintwork by struggling and straining to move it. Things tend to break when you’re struggling and straining.
6. “You wouldn’t believe how many calls we receive from clients informing us they simply drove their car into a multi-story parking lot (or their own garage), forgot they had a roof rack, roof box, or bike rack installed, and ripped the whole lot off! Try to keep in mind the extra height you’re hauling because it becomes more of a problem on taller MPVs and 44s but is still a possibility in family saloons.
“Only security-locked roof racks are available at MicksGarage,” 7.
utilize them at all times, especially if you’re transporting expensive items like kayaks or bikes. Keeping your roof rack keys on your automobile key ring can also be a smart idea. Every year, we receive hundreds of calls from people looking for new keys.
8. “Canoes, kayaks, and surfboards must be secured to both the front and back of the vehicle, not only the roof rack. If the vehicle has a tow bar or towing eyes, you can use these. When moving at high speeds, these kinds of devices can produce extremely enormous quantities of aerodynamic lift and, if your roof rack is not correctly secured, they can completely rip it off your car. This is a particularly crucial aspect because even if you’re not moving very fast, severe windsand it’s frequently very windy when surfers and wind surfers venture outcould exert forces greater than the roof rack is rated for and harm the vehicle.
9. “Some roof rack add-ons, such roof boxes, have a maximum speed warning that shouldn’t be ignored. Speed increases the aerodynamic drag, therefore going over the speed limit could put too much force on the accessory or the roof rack. A roof rack nevertheless contributes some weight and aerodynamic drag to your car despite its use of lightweight materials and aerodynamic shapes. Even though it’s not much, it will have a negative impact on your fuel economy. So remove it if you aren’t using it!
10. “Finally, avoid the baboons if you’re planning to visit the safari area with a roof box mounted on your rack! Or simply make sure it is locked.
How do you say “Thule”?
In 1942, in Hillerstorp, Sweden, Erik Thulin and his family established Thule. Thulin offered a pike fishing trap to Scandinavian fisherman as the business’s first item. The business expanded its useful items as it prospered.
In the 1960s, the business started to focus mostly on automobile accessories, such as its roof rack. It increased sales into new markets in the 1970s, first in Central Europe and then the US. The Eldon Group purchased Thule from the Thulin family in 1979. Thule was purchased by the private equity company Candover in 2004, and its growth accelerated. After Nordic Capital bought it in 2007, the company went through a slump as a result of dwindling sales and world financial worries. In 2009 and 2010, The Thule Group underwent restructuring.
Through both organic expansion and the acquisition of new businesses, the brand kept growing. That includes the Italian snow chain producer Knig in 2004, the German roof box maker Jetbag in 1991, the RV accessory maker Omnistor in 2005, the towing systems provider Brink in 2006, and the technology accessory provider Case Logic in 2007. A few of the businesses were absorbed, while others were later disposed.
Despite not having a phonetic spelling in English, “It’s not difficult to pronounce Thule. The appropriate phrase to use is “too-lee, according to Rack Outfitters.
Are crossbars necessary for a roof rack?
We strongly advise owning a roof rack. They let you transport practically anything that your automobile can’t or won’t fit. Large items like bikes or boats may be involved, as well as filthy items like hockey or camping gear.
Some automobiles have rack systems fitted from the outset; others do not. If your crossbars are factory-installed, you might not require an aftermarket rack system and instead can purchase attachments (like kayak carriers) with universal attachment mechanisms that will snap right onto your factory-installed bars.
You’ll need to purchase a rack system if your bike doesn’t come with factory crossbars. Your roof’s appearance and the items you intend to carry will determine the type of rack you purchase.
What is a rack system?
Crossbars and supports make up the foundation of a rack system. To span your car, you’ll need two crossbars and a means of fastening those bars to it. The elements you’ll hear us discuss are:
How do roof racks influence fuel efficiency?
The SUV’s mileage, on the other hand, showed less of a decrease, as we discovered when we examined bike racks that were hitch- and roof-mounted. Fuel economy was reduced by almost 2% when the roof rack was empty, which equates to a little over a gallon of gas. At 65 mph, the mileage decreased from 41 mpg to 40 mpg. The RAV4’s fuel economy decreased to 35 mpg with the pod added, a 13 percent decrease, or slightly more than 5 mpg.
Note that the extra bike rails were present in the empty racks when we tested rooftop bike racks.
When not in use, consumers should remove the rooftop carrier and roof rack, according to our experts. Owners of sedans in particular experience significant reductions in fuel efficiency when only the roof rack is installed. However, even for SUV owners, there is no need to waste fuel by driving around with an empty pod and rack.
My profession is a direct result of my father purchasing a 1965 Corvette and me choosing an Audi A4 over a Chevy Tahoe. My passion for automobiles was sparked by the Corvette, and the Audi introduced me to automotive journalism, track days, and do-it-yourself vehicle repair. No matter the season, I cycle as much as I can in my spare time.
How long does it take to install roof racks?
Roof Rack installation is getting harder and riskier to complete without creating damage, leakage, or rust problems. The primary cause of this is because, as a result of vehicle designs, car roofs now have weaker, thinner sheet metal and are more difficult to attach. With over 30 years of expertise, Roof Rack Galore is the top choice for roof rack installations and the leading industry specialist when it comes to roof racks and bike racks. We offer a comprehensive warranty that covers all of our installations, and we guarantee to offer the best roof rack installation service.
Can factory roof rails be removed?
The good news is that factory roof racks can be removed if you currently own or want to purchase a car with one. The bad news is that this will be a labor-intensive process if you intend to remove everything, including the factory-flushed or elevated side rails, and go with a naked roof. The majority of factory roof racks are the most challenging to remove since they are made to be permanently attached to the vehicle using built-in manufacturer rails. If you do choose to get rid of your OEM rack, it should probably be a long-term choice because it will involve extensive modifications to your car. Most likely, your roof and headliner will have holes in them. In order to protect the interior of the car from damage, these holes must be carefully sealed. This type of repair is probably doable by a handy DIYer, but if you’re unsure or unexperienced with body work, you might want to take the car to a pro.
Does It Fit My Car?
Although most roof rack systems contain some modular parts, your specific options will depend on the year, make, and model of your car. For the majority of vehicles, brands like Yakima and Thule currently provide one or more solutions, but at ReRack, we are able to offer a wide range of options, from now-discontinued designs to the most cutting-edge racks. Contact us if you’re unsure about the parts your car needs! We are glad to assist. See this section of our guide for a description of the common roof rack types.
How Much Is It Going To Cost?
For our clients, price is typically the most crucial consideration. We attempt to stock as many return and used things as we can because you’ll save money and it’s better for the environment (the majority of a rack’s carbon lifecycle occurs during original construction). We also provide a wide selection of brand-new roof racks, of course!
At ReRack, we only offer racks and accessories made by reputable companies like Yakima, Thule, and Rhino-Rack. These roof racks often have greater weight and gear capacities than stock manufacturing racks. The cost of a base roof rack will vary depending on if you want new components, an aerodynamic profile, and the year, make, and model of your car. Complete roof rack systems range in price from about $150 for a secondhand rack on older vehicles to more than $500 for a brand-new, top-of-the-line arrangement that is aerodynamic.
What Do I Want To Carry?
The majority of the time, people purchase a roof rack so they may attach specialized mounts (such as bike racks, kayak carriers, cargo boxes, etc.) to them or because they already have roof mounts. Purchasing a roof rack and roof rack mounts from the same brand is the easiest and least expensive option.
While some goods can be used with several crossbar types, others need additional adapters that must be bought separately or simply won’t function with particular crossbars.
Consider your needs and whether a certain brand is best suited for the equipment you plan to place on your roof rack.
What’s Going To Look Good?
Everyone has own tastes, right? You might choose square or round crossbars; you might need more height; you might prefer silver or black; you might prefer round crossbars or square ones. Before making a choice, compare a few different rack manufacturers because they all have slightly distinct designs.