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How to Fit Thule Roof Bars

Fitting Thule roof bars is easy and you don't need a professional to do it for you. In this tutorial we get to know the basics of Thule roof bar fitting.
how to fit thule roof bars
Step One: Find The Right Roof Bar For Your Vehicle

As with all roof bars, Thule roof bars are not a one size fits all; Thule roof bars are manufactured to fit a range of vehicles and are available in a range of sizes. You can make sure you are purchasing the correct roof bar by asking your roof bar retailer for information or advice or using a roof bar guide.

Step Two: Find The Correct Fixtures & Fittings

As well as the correct roof bar, you will also need the correct foot pack and may need a Thule fit kit which acts as a type of adapter for your specific vehicle model.

Step Three: Read Through The Instructions

To ensure the fitting process goes as smoothly as possible, read through instructional leaflet before starting. Your roof bar, fit kit and foot pack will each include a set of separate fitting instructions and should be easy to follow.
roof rack
Step Four: Prepare Your Vehicle

Before fitting your roof bar, ensure your vehicle is clean and dry, especially the roof. Choose a dry day and wear suitable clothing as working against the vehicle could mean dirt rubbing off on your clothes. If your vehicle is particularly tall, you may also need a small step ladder so that you can easily reach the top.

Step Five: Assemble The Fitting Kit And/Or Footpack

If your vehicle and roof bar require a fitting kit, this will need to be assembled and attached to the footpack in accordance with the manufacturer instructions. A fit kit is essentially an adapter for your roof bar and vehicle combination whereas a footpack is designed to fit directly to the roof bar. You may need both the footpack and the fitting kit or just the footpack to attach your roof bar. To find out which parts you need, check our roof bar guide and select your vehicle make, then model from the list.

Step Six: Assemble The Required Components

Once you have the required components (foot pack and fit kit) it is now time to assemble them. Assembly is usually easy, quick and can be completed in three steps or less. each foot pack/ fit kit is slightly different depending on the vehicle and roof bar it is designed for. Every kit comes with a set of instructions which can also be found online both on the Towing Centre website and Thule website.

Step Seven: Attach To The Vehicle

If you are using a fitting kit, at this stage you will need to attach it to your vehicle. As you fit the fit kit, you will need to ensure the placement of each component meets the correct measurements. These will be outlined in your instructions. You will need to measure both the distance between each roof bar and the distance between the front roof bar and the top of your windscreen. The specific measurements will be outlined in your instructions and will be dependant on your vehicle and roof bar of choice.

Step Eight: Attach The Footpack

Once the fit kit is attached (if using) you will then need to attach the footpack to the roof bar. With Thule roof bars, the footpack simply slides onto the underneath of the bar. on the underneath side of the roof bar, you should see a ruler. This will allow you to secure each foot at the correct distance so that it properly fits your vehicle.

Step Nine: Attach Roof Bar To Vehicle

Once the required components (roof bar, foot pack, fit kit) have been assembled and adjusted in accordance with the instructions and with your vehicle, the final step is attaching the roof bar. If you have used a fit kit, you will attach the foot to each fit kit point. If you are not using a fit kit, the foot should attach to the pre-installed fixation points or flush railings on your vehicle.