Thule 144cm SlideBar bi-directional sliding bars (2) no. 892
£235.00
In stock
SlideBars are expensive but definitely a lot cheaper than a strained back, broken equipment or a dented vehicle. They sometimes make loading even possible, and always make it easier and safer.
Check out our picture captions for one way of using SlideBars but keeping the rest of the cost down; note that you can't wrap ties around the bars otherwise they don't slide, so use Thule's adjustable eye bolts 320 instead.
SlideBars are expensive but definitely a lot cheaper than a strained back, broken equipment or a dented vehicle. They sometimes make loading even possible, and always make it easier and safer.
Check out our picture captions for one way of using SlideBars but keeping the rest of the cost down; note that you can't wrap ties around the bars otherwise they don't slide, so use Thule's adjustable eye bolts 320 instead.
Thule’s SlideBar is a superb innovation - no wonder it won an IF product design award in 2011. It can be really awkward to load heavy items safely onto a vehicle roof, especially on taller vehicles, without damaging the roof, the load, or putting your back out. The bars slide out 60cm on either side of the car, making loading relatively very easy - you can maintain a strong and safe vertical lift. Some colleagues here have also mentioned that you no longer need to lean for support against the sides of what might be a wet and dirty vehicle. Kayaks and bikes are obvious candidates for loading on SlideBars - they're items where 3, 4, or even 5 are often carried. (Kayaks can of course only be carried on the roof!) See the picture captions for some tips on how we used SlideBars to carry four solid 12' and 14' polypropylene sea going kayaks on the roof of a Vito van. Loading and unloading was not only easy but became "safely possible"; we're very grateful to Thule. SlideBars allow you to use a longer bar than is standard; SlideBars are available in lengths up to 162cm. This is because the feet can attach to the underside of the bar at any point – unlike Thule’s SteelBars and WingBars where the fixing positions are limited by the length of the slots in the base of the bars. If you go for longer bars you must be sure that bar or load does not stick out any further than the vehicle bodywork at its widest point, excluding the wing mirrors. Some other great features and information:
These bars have T-tracks to make it easier to mount your gear; T-track adapters are included with, or available for, most products. |
The aim of this note is to persuade you that kayaks should always be tied to the carrying vehicle at both bow and stern. Untied kayaks have, in our experience, the greatest potential for a roof bar or kayak carrier failure. The massive forces that untied kayaks can generate have even been known to snap roof bar fixing bolts with the result that a complete assembly of roof bars and kayaks has ended up on the road. We know that this has happened with almost every brand of roof bar, and regardless of whether the kayaks are on a special carrier or just strapped to the bars. You need to fix bow and stern lines, probably using the front and rear screw-in towing eyes to get strong and accessible fixing points on the vehicle. Kayak shops should be able to provide suitable 'paracord' for this purpose. Alternatively, we have sets of straps available that are perfect for the job and are really easy to use. Yakima make some excellent Bow/Stern tie down straps and Thule makes the QuickDraw 838 which we have listed together with every kayak carrier we sell. Please note that kayaks should be strapped to the roof bars, or to kayak carriers, using straps that are suitable for the purpose, e.g. 25mm polypropylene straps with strong buckles. Bungee cords must never be used. Please also note that all roof bar instructions point out the dangers of carrying unsecured long items, as of course do all kayak carrier instructions. If you tie down your kayaks properly you almost certainly won't experience a product failure. If you don't you may or may not get away with it. If there is a disaster and the kayaks end up on the road, separated from the vehicle, then you were not using tie downs and you have subjected the roof bars to forces for which they were not designed. The costs of sorting this out are yours, not ours, and you may also have difficulties with your insurers. We're sorry to be so firm about this, but "things coming off the tops of cars" is the stuff of nightmares, and we want to do all we can to prevent accidents of this sort from happening. |
Delivery charges and arrangements:We charge a contribution towards delivery costs, depending on what you order, where you live, and how quickly you want the goods. These are our standard charges; there are usually surcharges for all offshore destinations and some remote postcodes - for details please see our delivery information page.
Delivery of other items
Delivery timesDelivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday, excluding Bank holidays). Cut-off times for Express Delivery orders
Delivery FAQsWhen will my order arrive? What about Next Working Day delivery? Is my delivery day guaranteed? Do I need to be at home? Payment options:We take the following cards, and also PayPal. Please note that the entry on your card statement will be from "The Roof Box Company". Secure paymentsOur website is secured by Sectigo (formerly Comodo CA), the largest commercial Certificate Authority in the world. |
Fitting PDFs Thule SlideBar - How to fit |