Roof Rack Types

Rain Gutters
60 years ago rain gutter roof rack attachment was common place and roof rack selection was simple.  Today great diversity exists in passenger vehicle roof types.  Rain gutters still exists on some late model vehicles but typically they're only found on full sized cargo or passenger vans.  The cross bar system is relatively simple and just requires the load bars and gutter foot pack.  Thule does offer three heights to choose from depending on roof clearance requirements and two speciality rain gutter foot packs.

Thule Foot Packs Options: 300 - Gutter Foot, 368 - Speciality Gutter Foot, 369 - Speciality Gutter Foot, 387 - High Gutter Foot, 953 - Super High Foot

Bare Roof
The most common roof type in late model vehicles today is the bare roof and this is the case because most vehicles on the road are cars and trucks and generally those vehicles simply have a bare roof with no factory pre-installed rack.  This is where Thule's experience shines. Since every vehicles roof contours and door frame vary, Thule designs kits to interface between the Thule foot pack and the vehicle.  Vehicle specific shaped rubber bases and rubber coated metal brackets customize the foot pack for a precise, positive and protective connection.

Thule Foot Packs Options: 480 Traverse Foot, 480R Rapid Traverse Foot
Required Thule Fit Kits are the 1000 Series Traverse Fit Kits

Raised Rail
The next most common roof type is the raised side rails found on the majority of SUVs, wagons and mini vans.  Raised rails are the stylish factory installed roof attachment that runs from front to back on the outer edges of the vehicle's roof.  Connecting a cross bar system to raised rails is quite simple and does not require a vehicle specific fit kit, just the load bars and foot pack.  Raised rails offer the versitility to choose the optimum cross bar placement along the raised sections for a wide variety of loads to be carried.

Thule Foot Packs Options: 450 Crossroad Foot, 450R Rapid Crossroad Foot

Flush Rail
The newest style of rail design has recently been introduced on many European makes, these rails are flush to the roof without any space between the rail and the roof.  There is typically an inconspicuous inner and/or outer groove that allows connection of a cross bar system.  Thule uses a special set of fit kits specifically for flush side rails to provide precise integration to the rail.  They look great, and are functional.  Flush side rails offer the versitility to choose the optimum cross bar placement base of the load that is to be carried.

Thule Foot Packs Options: 460 Podium Foot, 460R Rapid Podium Foot
Required Thule Fit Kits are the 4000 Series Podium Fit Kits

Tracks
Tracks are another type of roof rack connection. Tracks run from front to back on the outer edges of the vehicle's roof.  Tracks are parallel to each other and have a channel for attachment of a cross bar system.  The channels offer versatility in positioning of the cross bars from front to back along the length of the tracks.  Some vehicles and some camper shells come with tracks installed at the factory.  Thule Top Tracks can be custom installed onto truck fiberglass camper shells tops and sheet metal roof tops as well. These attachment methods require drilling and offer an excellent solution when other attachment methods are not available.

Thule Foot Pack Options: 460 Podium Foot, 460R Rapid Podium Foot
Required Thule Fit Kit is the KIT3101
Thule Top Tracks: TB60 - 60 Inch with Bolts, TP42 42 Inch with Flare Nuts and TP54 54 Inch with Flare Nuts

Fixed Point
Fixed connection points are factory threaded fasten down points that are typically located on the outer edge of the roof at two points on each side.  When not being use to attach a roof rack, there's very little sign of them.  Typically, the connection points are located under a roof trim piece, a removable panel or a flip up panel.  Once the threaded points are exposed a custom set of fasteners, bases and rubber boots interface between the vehicle and the foot pack and load bars.  The system offers a very clean integrated look while providing a dependable platform for attaching a variety of carriers.  Thule also offers two custom kits to interface with fiberglass truck camper shell toppers or sheet metal roof tops.

Thule Foot Packs Options: 460 Podium Foot, 460R Rapid Podium Foot
Required Thule Fit Kits are the 3000 Series Podium Fit Kits
Custom applications are the KIT3113 for Fiberglass and KIT3114 for sheet metal roof tops.