Yes. We carry a set of roof rails that you can bolt onto your roof. Once on, they work just as well as any stock set of rails. And, after you add the crossbars, you are ready to strap on a roof rack or a roof bag right to the top of your ride.
For a secure fit, you will have to drill a few holes into your roof to mount the rails. They use an ingenious riveting system that delivers a firm grip and looks factory-installed. Once you have the rails bolted into place, you can decide whether to go with a bag or a rack.
The majority of our roof bags are crafted from water repellent fabrics and feature redundant sealing, such as taped zippers and storm flaps. We also carry one entirely waterproof bag. The Thule Sidekick Roof Cargo Box is crafted from a hard polyethylene shell that completely stops the elements from infiltrating your cargo.
On the other hand, we do carry one bag which is not specially treated to repel water. The cost effective Thule Quest Bag is an excellent choice for summer jaunts and for people who live in arid or temperate zones.
Yes. Almost every single roof bag that we have is aerodynamically shaped to reduce drag. When you're cruising down the highway at top speeds, there is a lot of air rushing over your vehicle. If this air hits a flat surface, such as a tailgate or a flat-sided box on your roof, it collides and acts like a parachute. Anyone who has run around with an open umbrella knows just how powerful drag can be.
To combat this wind resistance, the leading edge of most roof bags is sloped backwards. That way, the airflow can just pass right over the surface without running into any road blocks. This aerodynamic design will keep you engine from having to work double-duty to keep up with the drag. And that means you'll get better fuel economy.
When you're loading your roof rack, it's important that you do not stack your gear too high. Overhangs, drive-thru restaurants, parking garages and everywhere else with an overhead awning can only accommodate vehicles of a certain height. If you heap too much onto your roof, you're liable to loose some by ramming into a toll-booth.
Neither a roof rack nor a roof bag is inherently better than the other. They both perform the same basic function, but are designed for different situations. A roof rack is excellent if you frequently have to carry large loads, if you haul odd-sized items or if you need to mount lighting or tool carriers to your roof. Roof bags are great if you travel infrequently, if you like not having a permanent attachment to your roof and if you need to protect your goods from the elements. Choose the one that best suits your unique needs.
We carry a number of different kayak carriers for getting your aquatic gear safely to whichever body of water you want to explore. There are two types: a vertical and a horizontal carrier. The vertical leaves room for mounting a bicycle next to it on the roof, but the horizontal carrier gives you a solid, sturdy base.
If you drive a truck, there's even a special rack that rides on your bed rails. It leaves your cargo bay open for normal storage, and it adds an upper layer that you can use to securely mount your sports equipment on. That way, your kayak won't be rubbing up against your tailgate while you're cruise down to the river.
Absolutely. There are optional light mounting brackets that you can bolt directly onto your roof rack to brighten any trail. Here's a suggestion: mount lights on all four sides of the rack to give your vehicle complete illumination.
We are presenting you with a large dose of information, so it's understandable if you're feeling a bit like baggage handler on his first day of work at O'Hare Airport. You are in luck, though. We have a cure for information overload: give us a call. We have a troop of highly knowledgeable Automotive Accessory Specialists standing by to answer any questions you might have about roof racks, roof bags or any other accessory for your vehicle. Our toll-free number is 888.874.8888.