Today on our 2013 Ford Escape well be test fitting the Thule square bar roof rack system, part numbers THLB58, TH480 and THKIT1671. Now with our roof rack system already assembled according to Thules fit guide or the included instructions well open the front passenger and drivers side doors of the vehicle and set the front crossbar onto the roof. It is important to have your feet brackets loosened all the way to ensure the correct fit onto the roof of the vehicle. We will then measure from the glass to the first part of the foot 11 inches. Well do this for both the drivers side and passengers side of the vehicle, making sure that the crossbar is perpendicular to the vehicle. Once we have established this position onto the vehicle well go ahead and tighten down the brackets using Thules included Allen key to secure the crossbar to the vehicle.
It is important to alternate sides when tightening them down so the crossbar does not lean or favor to one side. Now with the front crossbar secured to the vehicle we can close the front drivers side and passengers side doors and open the rear. We can then set the rear crossbar onto the roof of the vehicle, and then measure our crossbar spread. Our crossbar spread is 28 inches. This measurement is important for choosing roof rack accessories.
Well measure the crossbar spread for the passengers side and drivers side of the vehicle to ensure that the crossbars are parallel to each other and the rear crossbar is perpendicular to the vehicle. Once we have established this position onto the roof of our vehicle we can again tighten them down with Thules included Allen key. Now with the rear crossbar secured to the vehicle well close our doors and were ready to load our accessories. That completes todays test fit for Thules square bar roof rack system, part numbers THLB58, TH480 and THKIT1671 on our 2013 Ford Escape.