How Far Apart Should the Crossbars On My 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Be?

Question:

Is there a recommendation for how far apart to space roof rails for max stability? The rails on our VW Tiguan are universal so they can be adjusted accordingly. Also, would a heavy plastic tote such as the Plano Sportsman Trunk hold up on the roof rack at interstate speeds? I appreciate any advice!

asked by: Stephen M

Expert Reply:

If there is no specific spacing instructions for your crossbars then the rule of thumb is to place your bars between 24" and 36" apart measured from the same position on each crossbar. Doing this will ensure that you have the optimal spacing for the maximum stability.

Also, as far as fitting your Plano Sportsman Trunk on your roof, you'd need to use a platform rack like the Rhino-Rack Roof Mounted Steel Cargo Basket # RMCB02 however with that trunk being so deep you're still going to have quite a bit of overhang.

As long as the box is properly secured to the platform rack then you won't have any issues at highway speeds, as long as you're not going excessively fast.

expert reply by: Bryce D