Load Bar Racks

What load bars do

Load bars span the roof from side to side and provide the contact points for carriers, boxes and straps. They attach to a mounting system, such as factory side rails, fixed points, tracks or a leg kit, and carry a rated load that must be shared by the whole rack. They are the starting point for building a roof-based cargo setup.

Bar profiles

• Aerodynamic and wing profiles: shaped to reduce wind noise and drag, popular with commuters and overlanders who drive long highway miles. Examples include Thule WingBar styles and Rhino-Rack Vortex bars.
• Stealth and flush bars: lower-profile bars that sit tight to the roof.
• Heavy-duty bars: sturdy, often square or rectangular bars for tradespeople and utility use.
• Deck and platform parts: deck bars, platform side rails and accessory bars that build a flat load surface.

Choosing length and fit

1. Bar length: listed in inches or millimeters, such as 785, 845 or 905 mm, or in 42, 46, 54 and 65 inch sizes. Match the length to your roof width and the mounting points.
2. Vehicle mounting: confirm whether your vehicle has bare roof, raised rails, flush rails or fixed points. This sets which foot or leg kit you need.
3. Number of bars: some items are sold individually and some as a two-bar rack, so check the quantity.
4. Color: black or silver finishes are common.

Load ratings and safe use

Every rack has a dynamic load rating, which applies while driving, and the vehicle roof has its own limit in the owner's manual. The lowest of those governs. Do not exceed the figure, and note that cargo carried high shifts the vehicle's center of gravity, so expect different handling in crosswinds and corners. Secure all loads with rated straps, recheck them after the first few miles, and watch for changed clearance in garages and under low branches.

Installation notes

Bars are usually installed with the foot pack or leg kit specified for your vehicle, tightened to the manufacturer's torque with the supplied tool. Place the bars at the spacing recommended in the instructions, since too narrow a spacing reduces stability. Recheck fasteners periodically, and remove bars if you will not be using the rack, which can reduce wind noise and fuel use.

Confirm fitment for your exact year, make and model, and review the manufacturer's specifications, then compare the products below.

Accessories that build on the bars

Load bars serve as the base for many accessories, including cargo baskets, platform decks, bike carriers, kayak cradles, ladder racks, rooftop tents and awnings. Each accessory has its own weight rating and fit requirements, and tents in particular weigh far more than most simple carriers. Remember the combined weight of the accessory and everything on it when you compare it with your rack rating.

Fit end caps to open bar ends to reduce noise and prevent injury, and consider a lock set to secure bars and accessories when you park.

Measure the vehicle's roof width and any existing rails before shopping, and compare those measurements with the bar's published length. Bars that are too long can stick out past the body and catch trees, while bars that are too short limit what you can carry. Mark the correct bar spacing on the roof with removable tape so reinstalling the rack takes minutes.