Roof Rack Information
Benefits of a Roof Rack System
A roof rack system is the perfect solution for you if you cannot seem to fit all your outdoor equipment in your car. Roof Racks provide an effortless method of transporting extra cargo and equipment to wherever you are going.
Key Features:
- Allows you to carry more gear
- Provides more interior space in vehicle
- Carry bikes, canoes, kayaks, skis, snowboards, and cargo boxes
- Easy installation for any vehicle
What Can My Vehicle Carry?
Our roof rack fit guide not only tells you what roof rack components are needed for your vehicle, but also which roof rack accessories (bike racks, cargo carriers, watersport carriers, ski and snowboard carriers, etc.) will work. Even if you have a factory installed rack, our fit guide will tell you which products are compatible with your vehicle.
Naked Roof Vehicles
A naked roof is when the rooftop has no tracks or rails, as pictured above. With a naked roof, you will need a fit kit, foot pack, and load bars for a complete roof rack system.
The pictures above show two possible ways the fit kit can fasten to your vehicle.
- A = fit kit: custom designed for each vehicle - includes rubber pads that contour to the roof and clips that fasten to outer edge of vehicle
- B = foot pack: connects to fit kit to provide a base for the load bars
- C = load bars
Short Roof Vehicles
If your vehicle has a short roof line, you may need a short roof adapter:
- Most commonly used on smaller two-door vehicles
- Expands distance between front and rear load bars
- Provides greater weight distribution
- Allows for increased carrying capacity
Factory Installed Raised Side Rails
Raised side rails run front to back on vehicles. These rails are most commonly found on SUVs and Minivans. Raised side rails can take many shapes-round, square, or oval. If you have these rails, you will need bases and load bars to complete the roof rack system.
- A = foot pack
- B = load bars
The bases attach around the side rails and provide an attachment point to secure the load bars.
Factory Installed Flat Tracks
Flat tracks run from front to back on the vehicle roof. With tracks, you will will need a fit kit, foot pack and load bars to complete the roof rack system.
- A = fit kit: connects inside the tracks
- B = foot pack
- C = load bars
The fit kit will connect to the tracks and provide an attachment point for the foot pack. You will attach each of the foot packs to the fit kit and then insert the load bars.
Factory Installed Roof Rack with Crossbars
Factory roof racks typically have flat, wide crossbars that work with many roof rack accessories. Thule and Yakima, however, do have carriers that work specifically with their load bars, so adapters are required. Each product description will specifiy whether an adapter is required.
The Thule Ride-On Adapter Bar is an example of an adapter that will clamp to the factory crossbars. In this case, the adapter provides smaller bars with which you can utilize Thule bike racks.
Recommended Items
Fairing
- Dramatically reduces wind noise caused by roof rack
- Fits snugly on round and square crossbars
- Offered in several sizes to accommodate length of roof rack
Locks
- Use locking cylinders to secure your gear into the carrier, your carrier to the roof rack, and your roof rack to your vehicle
- Can be keyed alike so you can conveniently use only one key
