Shorter Crossbar Roof Rack for 2016 Jeep Cherokee with Raised Roof Rails

Question:

Im interested in the Malone crossbar system. I have the factory-installed raised roof side rails on my Jeep and would like to use the 50inch bars, rather than the 58inch bars. From measuring the outside distance of my side rails, it seems that the 50inch would fit. Would you please comment and/or provide a firm recommendation for proper fit? Thanks.

asked by: Sandra

Expert Reply:

If you check out the picture I attached you can see why the longer version of the Malone Roof Rack part # MPG216 is recommended and not the shorter one. If you look at the rear bar you can see that there is enough bar overhang to fit the shorter bar but then if you look at the front bar you can see the overhang is much smaller due to the raised rails not sitting totally parallel.

Thule offers a similar roof rack that does have different length crossbars if you'd prefer a rack that has better matched bar lengths to raised rail widths. For this you'd want the Thule Aeroblade Edge Rack part # TH7501-TH7502 which is a flush bar rack where the crossbar does not extend out past the feet of the rack at all.

expert reply by: Jameson C