Thule Racks & Gear - Rack Attack (2025)

FAQs

Can Thule roof racks go through car wash? ›

It is necessary to remove the racks and any other accessories before going through a car wash. The large brushes can get tangled in the racks and even pull them off of your car.

The plastic base on the Thule UpRide noticeably flexes if you shake the mount side-to-side. In terms of their hold strength, both racks grip the front wheel in a way you needn't worry about. However, the Yakima feels more secure and wobbles less, something that is most noticeable with a heavier mountain bike.

Unlock the mechanism with the locking key.

Insert the locking key (one of the keys with “teeth”) into the slot and make a counterclockwise quarter-turn. The mechanism should unlock — for instance, you'd now be able to remove your ski from the rack.

If you have Thule products mounted to your car, your driving speed depends on several factors: what your car is carrying, the road type, road quality, wind conditions, traffic intensity and speed limits. But make sure that you under no circumstances exceed 130 km/h!

“If left on your car, your roof rack will be exposed to the elements, and as a result, the fittings can corrode over time. To counteract this, a bit of copper grease on the mounting bolt threads will help protect against corrosion and make removing them in the future so much easier.”

Both systems are designed to work on vehicle's that have the flush mounted rail system and both systems will be about the same in terms of effort for installing and removing. They have similar crossbar designs and features but Rhino-Rack has crossbars that are 7" longer at 54" versus the 47" for the Thule system.

Thule has a number of factories across Europe, Brazil, and the US. But no matter where they are, we'll make sure of climate-smart and efficient manufacturing, in a workplace where our employees feel positive and safe.

Our products are made in several locations. We have company owned factories in Taiwan and mainland China. We also build our cargo boxes, and do final fitting on a number of products at our facility in Southern California.

While roof racks use lightweight materials, it still adds weight to your vehicle and creates drag. This has the potential to waste fuel. It's therefore sensible to remove your roof rack if it's not in use.

Should you find a lower price with another authorized dealer either online or in-store, we'll match the offer* before your purchase or within 30 days after your purchase.

Are clip-on roof racks safe? ›

Are clamp mounted roof bars any good? Clamp mounted roof rack systems have been unfairly criticised, but they are perfect for vehicles that don't have a fixpoint or rails. They are a very secure and cost-effective roof rack solution that only need an occasional check to ensure the fit remains tight and secure.

Keys can be ordered either here or at your local Thule dealer. If the barrel has no stamped number you need to either visit a dealer and try possible keys or use a locksmith to take out the lock. Once the lock has been removed you can get a new set of Thule One Key locks.

It is not unusual to need to lightly tap the key all the way into place in the lock core the very first time you use it so that it seats fully. You can use a rubber mallet or small hammer to gently coax the key into its fully-inserted position. This usually does the trick.

If you're going to take your car through a car wash, you must remove your roof racks before doing so. Roof racks and any accessories can be damaged going through a car wash. Brushes from the car wash can get stuck in the roof racks and cause the roof racks to be pulled off your car.

Exposure to dirt, dust, and light precipitation for a short time should not affect the contents inside the carrier. The hard shell carriers, or boxes, are the most water resistant but are not waterproof. Prolonged exposure to heavy rain can allow water into the carriers.

So, the lesson here... don't go through the car wash with your brand new bike rack, whether hitch or roof mounted, because it'll cost you an extra twenty bucks in parts.

Do NOT take your car through with anything attached to the roof. Even if there is a good chance nothing will happen, I've been surprised what can get caught and ripped off. Wash it by hand or remove the box.