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853354407 Replacement Rubber Strip for Thule Aero Load Bars 53"
California residents: click here
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Michael: Hi there. I'm Michael with etrailer.com. Today, we're going to take a quick look at the replacement rubber strip for your Thule Aero load bars. This strip is going to fit your 53 inch Thule Aero load bars. It is going to replace that rubber strip that slides into your T slot there, just like the original. And it's going to help cut down on that wind noise whistling at high speeds.
And it's also going to give you a nice grip for tying down any of your cargo. And it is, of course, going to help prevent any dirt and grime from getting into that T slot, making it difficult for you to slide your accessories in place. This is going to replace the original. So if yours has been lost or just has degraded over time and it's allowing that whistling noise to happen, you can replace the original with this.It is going to work with your Thule Aero, but it is not an exact replacement. You can see, it is nice and smooth rather than having the notches in the rubber like the original did.
So it's a little bit different, but it is still going to work with your Thule Aero bars. And it's going to do a good job of providing the same benefits as the original. So if you're needing a new rubber strip for your Thule Aero 53 inch load bars, this is going to be the piece that you need. A lot of our customers have been very pleased with this. They have noted that it is just slightly different, being smooth.
It might be just a little bit thicker and softer rubber, but almost everybody agrees that this is going to do a great job for you. So that's going to complete our look for today. Again, I'm Michael with etrailer.com. Thanks for watching..
Not a perfect fit , but will work... my racks are an off brand so took a chance.
Placed order Saturday, arrived Wednesday. Installed without a problem. Very happy with product and etrailer.
What can I say, it's a rubber strip for my Thule aero bars. Fast shipping and came as listed :)
Excellent replacement for a part that is very hard to find! I used it on my OE VW Aero rack. This rack uses a T-Channel attachment system (Thule Aero system). Replacement rubber strips are nowhere to be found but this one fits perfectly.
A+ product and lightning fast shipping! I have knock off load bars that are actually a descent alternative to BMW's $240 version, but my rubber strips were shot. The upper T-slot on the bars are 7/16 which I found confirmation from the Q/A that confirmed these would fit! Good stuff and I highly recommended etrailer.com!
Michael F. 
2/17/2017
Still working great! Wow has it been a year!!!
I bought a used Thule aeroblade roof rack for my Toyota Venza. But whenever I drove 50mph and up it would make a loud whistling noise. After reading other people’s reviews I found out the old top rubber strips were really worn out and flimsy and were moving when I was driving, causing the whistle. After installing the new ones the whistle has almost completely stopped, next I have to replace some of the underside rubber strips that are missing.
Great product, fit almost perfect, I had to trim about 1” off the ends which isn’t a big deal. And like other users have said, it doesnt have the notches on the rubber as the original one does, but it still gets the job done.
I replaced this strip and one of the end caps and the horrid whistling is now GONE. Very pleased.
We ordered a second one since the first fit perfectly as a replacement for our Thule load bars. Customer service, shipping and communication are excellent. Great company!
Worked perfectly for replacing the rubber on my 2009 Mercedes ml350 roof rack. Shipping was fast.
We bought this rubber strip as a replacement for one of our Thule roof load bars. It fits perfectly and stopped the whistling noise. We easily cut the extra few inches with a scissor. We’re so glad to have found this. We intend to buy another to have on hand since the remaining load bar rubber strip is fraying and we will need to replace that one soon as well. Thank you!
Karen
7/27/2023
It’s been a year since we bought the replacement rubber strip for our Thule roof load bars. It is still in great condition after using the bars to carry our kayaks. Good product!
I ordered this item to replace the rubber strip on my Saab Sportcombi's roof rack. It didn't fit exactly in the rack rail groove but still close enough to the originals that it should work.
Thank you for being a dependable resource for hard to find parts.
The package arrived in an expedient amount of time.
I bought this as a replacement for the top slot of the Thule Rapid Aero bars. I have not used it, since I still have the existing strips in, but it looks like the perfect shape to snap in if needed.
Billy
9/15/2015
Oh hey, thanks for writing, theyre pieces of rubber and havent failed me yet, so theyre doing their job just fine so far :
I've been waiting for this product to get re-stocked and I have finally received it! So happy to have this replacement for my Audi crossbars. Without the stripping the wind would whistle like a railroad hobo......now it's smooth and quiet. An affordable fix that was incredibly easy to install. Took me all of five minutes.
Adora F.
8/4/2015
Still love the product and its performance has been top notch!
Exact replacement for the original rubber strip for the Thule Rapid Aero RB53. Now that I have an extra, I can cut one for use when I have components in the T track.
Christopher
9/13/2021
Still perfect after a year.
Great product. The thule aero load replacement rubber strip fits my Volkswagen roof bars perfectly. Price was right as well. Erika (from Etrailer) was very helpful in helping me determine if this would fit properly.
Customer Service was awesome! I sent an email to etrailer.com as I needed help to figure out the exact replacement rubber strips for my Thule Aero Load Bars manufactured in 2002. etrailer.com was kind enough to do research on my behalf in locating the replacement strips and then informed me that Thule had stopped making them for this particular bar (which is why I couldn't find it on my own), but suggested a replacement strip that they carried. I ordered them asap and received the strips quickly. I installed them today and found that they fit the bars PERFECTLY! Thank you!!! I would definitely recommend etrailer.com for your automotive needs.
Used these to replace the tired originals on my OEM Yakima cross bars mounted on my 2001 Isuzu Vehicross. Its was a tight fit but they worked great.
Service was terrific getting this product to me, but as for the product itself….terrible! I have Thule Aero Load Bars, and this replacement rubber strip has proved impossible to thread into the channel on the bar. I tried oiling the rubber strip, then tried oiling the channel and neither worked. I'm very disappointed. I guess you get what you pay for and I guess I just have to pay extra for the genuine Thule ridged rubber strip. In the meantime, I guess I'll just have to cover the channel with tape and hope it stays on long enough to save me from hearing the whistling for upcoming long drive.
Good stuff... this replacement rubber strip installs easily and fits the Thule Aero bar's perfectly. It is a bit different than the original product in that it has a smooth surface, is softer than the original, is symmetrical (the original is directional), and a slight bit thicker.
I'm hoping it is a non-marking black rubber, (asked but did not get a clear answer), the Thule priginal is not and leaves ugly black marks on my kayak, canoe, and paddleboard. If it is I would say its a definite advantage.
Was having trouble finding the particular molding I needed to reduce wind noise on aftermarket roof rack crossbars. etrailer quicky identified the correct part and it shipped immediately. We will definitely do business again.
I recently acquired a factory roof rack for my 201 Audi A3 and they were missing the rubber strip. These fit perfect and look great.
Joe S.
5/25/2016
No complaints great product
Fast shipping, came as expected.
Fit my 2010 Ford Flex well. Someone stole the original rubber while it was parked outside without the thule covering it...
The replacement was easy enough to install and stopped the whistling sound THANK GOODNESS.
A little tougher to install than the Thule OEM strips, but they fit great and the value is fantastic!! I purchased these so I can customize for various T-track mounted accessories.
Perfect fit on my Thule Aeroblade roof bars from 2010. Easy to trim to length.
EXCELLENT quality and fast shipping! Very happy with this product and the service received from etrailer.com. These were purchased to replace the discontinued Mopar factory luggage rack inserts for a 2007 Jeep Commander. The fit is much better and a vast improvement over the loose-fitting Mopar inserts!
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Rm
6/22/2013
1. These rubber strips worked just fine on my VW-branded racks for my Golf. I had to use these because I bought the car used with the racks but without the rubber strips. The VW dealer couldnt find a part for them.