FAQ

The correct roof bars for your car depend on your vehicle’s make, model, year and roof type. Roof bars are not universal, which is why it’s important to choose a vehicle specific roof bar kit.

The easiest way to find the right option is to enter your car registration. Our system will automatically match you with the correct roof bar kit designed specifically for your vehicle.

Browse all compatible options on our Thule Roof Bars for Your Vehicle page.

The roof bars themselves may sometimes be reusable, the fitting kit and foot pack (the parts that connects the bars to your roof) is designed for a specific make, model and roof type.

If you have changed vehicles, you will usually need a new fitting kit and foot pack and in some cases new roof bars as well to ensure a safe and secure fit.

The easiest way to check compatibility is to enter your car registration and view the correct Roof Bar Kit for Your Vehicle.

Don't worry, the rubber strip isn't supposed to fit straight away. You will need to tear it in half first then fit it to the roof bar.

Roof bars can slightly affect fuel economy because they create additional wind resistance while driving. This can cause the vehicle to use a little more fuel, particularly at higher speeds or when carrying items such as roof boxes, bike racks or other roof mounted accessories.

To help minimise this effect, many modern roof bars are designed with aerodynamic shapes to reduce wind drag and noise. If the roof bars are not being used regularly, removing them when not in use can help improve fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise.

Some wind noise is normal when driving with roof bars fitted, as they create additional airflow over the roof of the vehicle. The level of noise can vary depending on the type of roof bars, the speed you are driving, and whether any accessories such as roof boxes or bike racks are attached.

Square bars can be slightly louder than more modern bar designs because of their shape. More aerodynamic bars such as Thule WingBar Evo, Thule WingBar Edge and Thule ProBar Evo are designed to reduce wind resistance and help minimise wind noise while driving.

If the roof bars are not being used regularly, removing them when not needed can also help reduce wind noise and improve fuel efficiency.

Don’t worry, they aren’t broken! Bars such as WingBar Evo, WingBar Edge and SquareBar have a slight bow out of the box. The bend allows for the tension that will be applied when the foot pack is tightened to the roof and will straighten out once properly installed.

Thule bars can carry up to 75kg but you must also check your car manufacturer for what your vehicle can carry too.

No, fitting kits are covered in a special coating protecting your vehicle from any scratches.

These kits will clamp to the roof where the doors shut. For exact fitment, click on the instructions shown on the product page.

This is not recommended because some models raise above the roofline of the vehicle and could impact the foot pack or bars. This can cause damage to the vehicle and/or rack itself.

Thule's roof boxes are weather resistant. Exposure to dirt, dust and light rain for a short time will not affect the contents inside the box. The hard shell makes it one of the most water resistant carriers on the market but it is not 100% waterproof.

For every box, there is a manual. In the manual there is information available about measurements of the distance you'll have to measure from the first Roof Bar position to the end, we call it distance R (see image below). You have to make sure that you can open the boot, so that the boot does not cross the end of the roof box end.

Example image: (Thule motion xt sport manual)
You'll find each box's specific measurements in the the box's instructions pdf, that you will find under the description on each box product page

See distance 'R'. To understand if you can open the hatch, measure the distance between the boot opened and where the end of the box would be and make sure the R distance is longer than the minimum distance.
You can mount every Thule roof box on Thule roof bars as long as legal requirements are followed. You will find on our Roof Box Page, a wide selection of designs, sizes, colours and features available within the Thule roof box assortment.

In the instructions of your roof box, information about requirements of your roof box is available. You can find the instructions below the description on the product page of the roof box. For all our current boxes (Thule Vector, Thule Motion and Thule Force) the requirements of the image below is what currently used for our roof boxes. We do have T-Track solutions for non-Thule roof bars that have a 20 or 24 mm T-slot in them, you can find them here

We recommend lubricating the lock and lock assemblies with an aerosol graphite lubricant. White lithium grease is also an acceptable material. Once sprayed with the lubricant allow the time for it to penetrate. Then, place a drop or two of the same lubricant on each side of the key, and insert the key into the lock. They key may need to be installed and removed several times to loosen up the pins in the lock.

When entering your car registration and selecting your roof type, vehicle specific roof bars will be shown. Within each option we will recommend a roof box for your vehicle. However, if you would like a different size roof box please get in touch with us via chat, email or phone and we can advise.

Roof mounted bike racks attach directly to your existing roof bars, so if you already have compatible roof bars fitted such as Thule roof bars most roof bike racks will fit. They’re ideal if you want to keep full access to your boot and don’t have a towbar installed. If you don’t yet have roof bars, you’ll need the correct vehicle specific roof bar kit first, which you can find using our registration lookup tool.

Tow Bar mounted bike racks connect securely to a standard towball and are one of the easiest options to load, as bikes sit at a lower height. They’re especially suitable for carrying multiple bikes or heavier e-bikes. As long as your vehicle has a standard towball, most towbar bike racks will be compatible.

Rear door bike racks clamp onto the tailgate or rear door of your vehicle, making them a good option if you don’t have roof bars or a towbar. However, fitment is vehicle specific and not all racks fit all cars. We recommend using our vehicle lookup tool to confirm which rear mounted bike racks are compatible with your vehicle before purchasing.

Please note that not every Thule bike rack is suited for any type of bike: a certain type of bike might require a very specific type of Bike Rack (eg. e-bike with full suspension, we don't have Racks for tandem or tricycles). More specific information is available under each product page on our website.

Our recommendation is to choose a bike rack where your bikes are comfortably held by the wheeltrays and straps, and where the bikes are not rubbing against each other, such as our Thule Easyfold 3 and Thule Epos. Because most heavy bikes makes transporting e-bikes on the roof/or hatch mounted carriers hard, we recommend a tow bar mounted one. Please check technical/specification information listed in the product.

Most modern towbar mounted bike racks are designed with a tilting or sliding mechanism, which allows you to open the boot or tailgate even when the rack is installed. By tilting the rack away from the vehicle, you can usually gain access to the boot without needing to remove the bikes.

However, the amount of access can vary depending on the type of vehicle, the size of the tailgate, and how many bikes are loaded onto the rack. Larger vehicles with bigger tailgates may require more clearance, and in some cases the boot may only open partially when bikes are mounted.

We recommend checking the product page information for the specific bike rack you are considering, as it will confirm whether the rack has a tilting feature for boot access.

Compatibility when mounting a tow bar rack is less dependant on the car design and more specifically dependant on the car's tow bar specifications. As a general rule tow bar must meet the following criteria:

- The towbar should be normalised (ISO50).
- The maximum load capacity of the tow bar must certainly exceed the weight of the bike rack AND the weight of the bicycles you wish to load.
- The tow bar must be made out of steel or at least an equivalent material. Tow bars made out of cast iron (GGG40) or aluminium are not to be used in combination with our bike racks.
- The electrical connection must be 7-pin or 13-pin (see your local & legal specifications).
- The socket cannot be located directly on or just below the tow ball.

There are specific requirements depending on each of our tow bar mounted carriers. For more information about that, please read our product information manual available on each product page on our website.

Yes, most Thule bike racks are suitable for carbon bikes. Many modern racks are designed to safely support carbon frames, but it’s important to ensure the bike is secured correctly and not overtightened when using a frame clamp.

Roof mounted bike racks such as the Thule ProRide use a padded frame clamp to hold the bike securely. When transporting a carbon frame bike on a ProRide rack, we recommend using the Thule Carbon Frame Protector 984, which helps distribute the pressure from the clamp and protect the frame. This accessory can be found on all ProRide product pages under Recommended Accessories.

Most towbar mounted bike racks can also carry carbon bikes as they typically support the bike by the wheels. However, it’s important to check the product page information first, as some carriers may require an adapter, while others may not be suitable for carbon frames.

To make choosing easier, we provide a vehicle lookup tool that allows you to enter your vehicle details and see which Thule Allax models are compatible with your car. This ensures the crate fits correctly within your boot space and allows the door to open as intended.

Once you have confirmed which Allax version fits your vehicle, you can then choose the correct crate size for your dog. You can find detailed guidance on selecting the right size in the “Size Guide” tab on all of our Thule dog crate product pages.

The Thule Allax Threshold version is designed for vehicles with a higher boot lip or deeper boot floor, while the standard Thule Allax is designed for cars with a low or flat boot threshold. The main difference is the door position and frame design, which allows the crate door to open properly without hitting the boot sill.

The Thule Allax ensures pet comfort with its spacious design and excellent ventilation. The window and crate openings allow for easy monitoring of your pet and ensure a comfortable and stress-free travel experience.

Unique features of the Thule Allax include an escape hatch for opening the crate from the backseat, a window for improved visibility and checking on your pet, and a door with a gas damping mechanism for gentle operation.

The Thule Allax's design facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance. Its materials are chosen for durability and ease of cleaning, ensuring that you can keep the crate in top condition with minimal effort.

Safety is a paramount feature of the Thule Allax. It's thoroughly crash-tested and includes an innovative crumple zone for superior protection. Additionally, the crate is equipped with a gas-dampened door and built-in lock for added security.

Most roof tents can be fitted to a wide range of vehicles, as long as the vehicle has a suitable roof bar system installed and the roof can support the load. Roof top tents work with most roof types including vehicles with roof railings, flush rails and fixed points, but they are not suitable for vehicles with completely bare roofs with no rails or fixing points. Vehicles with a sunroof are generally fine, however glass roofs are not recommended for roof tent installation.

It is important that the roof bars used are designed to support the weight of a roof tent. Factory installed crossbars or side rails supplied with some vehicles are often not strong enough to carry the load, so they should not be used. We also do not recommend mounting Thule roof tents on clamp or edge style roof rack systems, as the high static weight can potentially cause damage to the roof. This includes roof bar kits using Thule Evo Clamp (7105) or Thule Evo Edge (7205).

For the safest setup, we recommend using Thule roof bars with Thule roof tents, as these systems are designed to work together. Thule cannot guarantee compatibility or load capacity when using other brands or styles of roof racks.

If you would like more information please read our roof tent guide.

Thule roof tents are designed to work with most vehicles, but it’s important to understand the difference between dynamic weight (when driving) and static weight (when the vehicle is parked and the tent is in use).

While driving, your vehicle and roof bar system must support the dynamic roof load, which includes the weight of the roof tent and the roof bars. For most vehicles this is typically around 75 kg–100 kg, but it varies depending on the vehicle. You can usually find your vehicle’s roof load limit in the owner’s manual, on the manufacturer’s website, or sometimes on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame.

When the vehicle is parked and the tent is in use, the static weight capacity is usually 3 times more than the dynamic weight capacity because the ladder helps distribute the load. This allows the tent to safely support the weight of the occupants inside while camping.

To ensure safe installation, always check that the combined weight of the roof tent and roof bars does not exceed your vehicle’s dynamic roof load limit.

Thule roof tents are compatible with most Thule roof bar systems that use standard crossbars, such as Thule WingBar Evo or Thule ProBar Evo. These bars provide enough loading width and strength to safely support a roof tent when installed with the correct vehicle specific foot pack and fitting kit.

However, some Thule roof bar systems are not suitable for roof tents. For example, Thule WingBar Edge and Thule SlideBars should not be used because their design does not provide the required mounting space or support for a roof tent.

For the safest setup, Thule recommends using Thule roof rack systems with Thule roof tents, as they are designed and tested to work together. Compatibility with other brands of roof racks or bars cannot be guaranteed.

Thule roof tents are designed for quick and easy setup. In most cases, the tent can be fully opened and ready to use in around 2–5 minutes once you arrive at your campsite. This usually involves removing the travel cover, unfolding the tent and extending the ladder.

Some models, such as the Thule Approach, can often be set up in around 3 minutes, making them one of the quicker rooftop tents to deploy. Setup time may vary slightly depending on the model and whether any accessories are being used, but the tents are designed to get you ready to camp quickly and easily.

If you believe your product is faulty or covered under warranty, please contact us via Live Chat, Email or Phone and our team will be happy to assist you with the warranty process.

Thule products come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which covers defects in materials or workmanship for a specified period. The length of the warranty can vary depending on the product, so we recommend checking the product page or manufacturer information for the exact warranty details.

Many Thule products also allow you to extend the warranty by registering your product with Thule after purchase, providing additional peace of mind. For full warranty terms and registration details, please refer to the information provided with your product or on the Thule website.

To help process your claim as quickly as possible, we may ask for your order number, batch sticker and photos of the issue so our team can assess the problem.