How Far Back Should Thule Mounting Feet Be Placed On a 2019 Toyota Highlander with Bare Roof

Updated 07/09/2019 | Published 07/08/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Thule WingBar Evo Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 60" Long - Qty 2

(1280)

$279.95

Custom RCP Fit Kit for 4 Rhino-Rack RC and RV Series Roof Rack Legs - Fixed Mounting Points

(302)

$139.99

Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 49" Long - Qty 2

(2759)

$206.95

Rapid Traverse Feet for Thule Crossbars - Naked Roof - Qty 4

(160)

$194.02

Question:

I have a 2019 Toyota Highlander w/o roof rails. I would like to install a set of Thule crossbars 1803fit, 480r, and 60” bars. The Thule instructions say to place the front rapid traverse foot 13” back from the corner of the windshield. This looks like it is way too far forward in the vehicle. The rubber molding on the roof has stationary placement markers for the factory roof rack are much further back than the instructions for the door jam mount instructions for the Thule. Have you installed this setup farther back than 13”on a Highlander? In other words, are the Thule instruction measurements minimums or exact? Thank you.

asked by: Donna

Expert Reply:

The Thule WingBar Evo Crossbar System part # TH711520, part # TH480R, and part # THKIT1803 while installed on your 2019 Toyota Highlander will indeed need to be positioned so that the door clip is located 13-1/4" back from the rubber molding between the roof and windshield. This is an exact measurement and not a minimum measurement as you alluded to. The spot above was what Thule found to offer the most support for their system which is why that was the spot chosen. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend that you place the door clips further back.

If you would like to have a roof rack that does sit further back you can use the Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbar part # RRVA126B-2, part # RRRCH4, and part # RRRCP37-BK which mounts in the same location as the factory roof rack.

expert reply by: Conner L