Weight Rating for Thule SquareBar Roof Rack on a 2013 Honda Accord Sedan

Updated 05/18/2020 | Published 04/16/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Thule SquareBar Evo Crossbars - Steel - 53" Long - Qty 2

(272)

$183.68

Fit Kit for Thule Evo Clamp and Edge Clamp Roof Rack Feet - 5208

(481)

$159.95

Evo Clamp Feet for Thule Crossbars - Naked Roofs - Qty 4

(410)

$264.95

Question:

Jon G answered my earlier question but I had a 2nd question. If I put on the Thule Roof Rack TH712400 - Foot Pack TH710501 - TH145208 Fit Kit - how much weight is my Honda roof rated for? I looked in my car manual thats in the glovebox and it doesnt say. It says how much people weight and cargo you can put inside the car but not on top. I have contacted Honda and they are supposed to get back to me but have not yet. You guys are in the roof rack business so I would think you have done your research.Please let me know if you know. And how much does this roof rack weigh? And is that included in the total weight the roof is rated for? Thanks

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

I wasn't able to find anything regarding roof weight rating in your owner's manual either so any specific number will need to come directly from Honda.

With that being said, the Thule SquareBar roof rack system that you referenced for your 2013 Honda Accord, consisting of parts # TH712400, # TH710501, and # TH145208, has a weight carrying capacity of 165 lbs and the overall weight of the roof rack itself is 16 lbs.

These weight ratings come directly from the manufacturers who have performed extensive testing to verify this so you can rest assured that it is safe to load your roof according to the listed weight ratings. The reason ratings can vary by manufacturer is simply due to the various components they use. The weight ratings will not include the weight of the roof rack themselves, just the weight of the accessories that you load on them.

expert reply by: Jon G

Jim C.

5/14/2020

As a former Honda employee I have to caution ANYONE planning roof-top additions to their car! The average Auto roof was never designed to bear more than @165 lbs... add a 35 lb roof rack and that total drops. I can't believe that there are actually companies that sell ROOF-TOP TENTS and advertise 2 adult capacity (sure, if they weigh 50 lbs each...). Don't take my word for it, see:

Chris R.

5/18/2020

We do always try to mention checking a vehicle's owner's manual for a specific roof capacity (if we can't find it ourselves). I agree with you that just about any roof has a lower capacity than the crossbars themselves. Most roof top tents have a bit of a different design that allows more weight though, such as the Yakima SkyRise # Y07437, which technically uses its ladder to support most of it.