Can Thule Ride-On Roof Rack Adapter Use Longer Thule Square Crossbars

Question:

Hi can I replace the cross bars on this with longer ones? Can I remove these bars? Thanks

asked by: Gord

Expert Reply:

The Thule Ride-On Adapter is a great way to add a broadly-compatible square bar rack to an existing factory roof rack to allow installation of accessory carriers like their Big Mouth bike carrier TH599XTR that won't fit on some factory bars. Since some carriers will fit only on certain factory racks the Ride-On adapter lets you keep on using your bike carrier even once you've changed to a new vehicle that has incompatible roof rack bars.

The standard length bars that come with the Ride-On adapter are the 32-inch part # 853-0182-35. Thule does make their square bars in many lengths, such as the 53-inch # TH712400, but since the Ride-On adapter is really made just to allow use of a bike carrier, longer bars are not recommended. Using longer bars could mean that you might overload the adapter with too much weight.

expert reply by: Adam R