Thule are the world’s leading roof rack manufacturers. As well as their high-quality products, having roof rack solutions for almost all car makes and models is a key reason for their unchallenged success in the roof rack industry.
All Thule Roof Racks and Thule products are TÜV crash tested and approved. On top of this, Thule have also developed the Thule Test Program™. No Thule product or Thule Roof Rack will ever make it to the shop shelf without their 25-point standards test, which far exceeds that of the ISO standard.
Thule offer a range of roof bars to suit different applications, and they also use a number of different ways to attach a roof rack to your vehicle. The most common roof rack fixing points are outlined below.
Types of roof rack fixing points
Fix Points
Situated directly on top of your roof (commonly underneath a protective flap), the Thule Roof Rack will simply bolt or clip to the vehicle’s factory fix points.
Raised Roof Rails
These rails run parallel from front to back on your vehicle and are raised from the roof. In most cases you can wrap your hand around the rail. Thule roof bars clamp to raised roof rails using easy twist-and-lock handles.
Flush Roof Rails
Flush fitted roof rails run parallel from front to back on your vehicle but sit directly against the roof with no gap underneath. Thule use a bolt, clamp, and lock system designed specifically for flush rails.
T-Track (Accessory Track)
Some vehicles (and many camper or commercial setups) use a T-track system: an aluminium track mounted to the roof with a “T-slot” channel. Roof rack feet and hardware slide into the track and tighten in position.
Rain Gutters
Older vehicles and some utility models have external rain gutters along the roof edge. Thule rain gutter mounts clamp securely around the gutter lip to create a strong fixing point for roof bars.
No Visible Fixings
If your vehicle doesn’t show any obvious fixing points, Thule produce a fitting kit that clamps securely to the vehicle body. This usually mounts under the door shut or along the window ridge, creating a solid base for the roof bars.
Choosing your Thule roof bars
Once you’ve identified your vehicle’s fixing points, you can choose the right roof bar style to match your needs (e.g. aerodynamic, heavy-duty, or compatible with specific accessories).
Thule Square Bar
The original Thule roof bar, the Square Bar is a durable rectangular design measuring 32mm x 22mm. It’s the most affordable option in the range, offering excellent value while maintaining trusted Thule quality.
Thule Wing Bar
A sleek aluminium roof bar available in silver or matt black. Featuring an integrated T-track system for quick accessory fitting, the WingBar is also Thule’s quietest bar, reducing wind noise by up to 90%.
Thule Wing Bar Edge
Sharing the same performance and T-track features as the WingBar, the WingBar Edge uses a low-profile, one-piece design. This creates a clean, integrated look that complements the shape of your vehicle’s roof.
Thule Slide Bar
Designed for taller or wider vehicles, the SlideBar extends away from the roof for easier loading. It eliminates reaching and stretching, while the integrated T-track system ensures full compatibility with Thule accessories.
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Car roof top tents no longer have to follow a classic look. With the introduction of the exciting all-new Thule car roof top tents, roof top camping has been taken to another level—becoming stylish and ultra modern without losing functionality. See our full range of Thule roof top tents.