1.
I have a set of Thule roof bars but they aren't like
the 'Foot pack no. 750' ones. Is there an adapter kit for my car?
Possibly. Thule introduced their "Rapid System" in 1998, but there are several
quite modern cars which still use the "Old Style" system. Check
to see if there's an "Old Style Adapter Kit" listed for your car. If we only
show the Foot pack no. 750 then it's time to buy a complete new Rapid System.
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2.
How does the bar system fix on?
There are essentially five types of system...
5. Systems for cars with T-track slots mounted flush against the roof
(locks usually required) Not illustrated.
But
I don't appear to have any fixing points in the roof
?? Most
systems clamp on - one bar between the front doors, one between the rear doors.
The metal clamps are unobtrusive and coated with a special plastic which won't
mark your car; they don't affect the door sealing or cause wind noise. Many
recently designed cars have special fixings hidden behind the door seals,
which Thule use. Sometimes Thule makes use of the roof bar fixings in the
roof (e.g. Vauxhall Astra, most BMWs), but generally they don't.
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3.
The report for my particular car shows that I need a Thule "Short Roof Adapter".
What's this for?
These adapters are usually used on two door cars where the doors aren't wide
enough to accommodate both bars and still allow at least 650mm between them.
In this case, the front bar is clamped into the front door area, the rear
bar stands loose on the roof behind the front doors and is joined to the front
bar with the Short Roof Adapter. This is then clamped into the front door
area, pulling everything tight and holding the rear bar firmly on the roof.
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4. What are these alternative
Thule T-track aerobars (Numbers 860, 861, 862, 863)?
You need either the ordinary plastic coated galvanized steel 32mm by 22mm
bars, or (for £25 more) the aluminium oval shaped bars. Aluminium bars
do look very smart but you may need to buy extra adapters to fit accessories
to them. The "T" track is so called because the bolt that slides into the
slot, leaving the thread sticking upwards to fix things to, is like an upside
down T when seen in section.
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5.
I have a Jeep with Jeep bars fitted.
Can I use them?
You'll need to check your handbook, your local Jeep dealer, or Jeep UK on
0800 616 159. Many Chrysler / Jeep bars have a low load limit and are really
only for show. There is anecdotal evidence that the uplift which boxes generate
may be enough to lift the bars out of their sockets.
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6.
I have very wide dealer supplied
bars and my dealer is telling me that the only box that will fit is his own...
99% nonsense. (The 1% is probably the manufacturer who cannot supply either
adapters or any accessories to fit his bars!) We can supply box adapters for
almost all roof bars. If you do buy into a manufacturer's system with bars
other than 32mm by 22mm section, or aerobars with 20mm wide T-track slots,
be aware that you may have to buy their bike carriers and small accessories,
and that these won't then fit other bars. There are very few cars for which
we don't have either Thule or Atera roof bars. "No fit" vehicles
include certain Lexus models, the Mini, and the Smart.
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7. Will bars make much
difference to the fuel consumption?
Yes - as much as 15%, depending on your driving style. Bars on their own can
be quite noisy, too. But add a box, and the noise all but disappears, and
the fuel consumption penalty improves to around 10%. We recommend that bars
are removed whenever they aren't being used. Some caravanners
claim that boxes actually improve tbeir fuel consumption!
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8. How high above the
roof will the bars be?
Gutterless systems usually leave the top of the bar approximately 115mm above
the roof. (Any closer and there's a risk of whistle...) Cross bars on longitudinal
roof rails are usually about 60mm from the rail to the top of the bar - in
other words, very neat. Atera cross bars are approximately 40mm from the centre
of the rail to the top of the bar.
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9.
I have a question to which I can't find an answer
on this page.
Please contact us; we'll reply as soon as we can.
Contact us, or phone 08700 766326.
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1. Systems for cars without rain gutters (locks required)
2. Systems for cars with rain gutters (locks required)
3.
Systems for cars with longitudinal roof rails
(locks included)
4. Special systems (locks
usually included)
Some cars have special systems, e.g. Seat Leon.
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