Can I Mount Cargo Box Clamps Past the Feet of My 58-Inch Crossbars on My 2020 Volkswagen Atlas?

Question:

We have a 2020 VW Atlas cross sport. Can we safely put one side of our clamps on our cargo box on the out side rail that sticks over the roof mount?

asked by: Rob S

Helpful Expert Reply:

Even though we recommend that neighbors place a cargo box like the Thule Pulse # TH615 centered on your crossbars, you can technically clamp one side of your box onto the crossbars past the feet of the roof rack. However, there are some things to keep in mind. First off, if there is nothing mounted on the other end of the rack, this creates a lot of off-balance weight on top of the crossbar system. This is why I generally recommend that if you do have clamps over the feet, it is always best to have something mounted near the other end of the crossbars for balance. Secondly, if you do have the clamps past the feet, it is important to have those outer clamps as close to the feet as possible for the most support. Thirdly, it is important to note that the more weight you load into the box the more pressure there is on that one side of the roof rack. The safest route is to try to alleviate any unnecessary cargo if possible.

expert reply by: Bob C