People with roof rack bars - how long?

[invisible4Runner]

Looking at adding some Thule roof rack bars. Not yet decided between the square steel bars, or the aerodynamic bars. I'd leave the aerodynamic ones on all the time, yet the square ones would be better for heavier and dirtier loads (e.g. wood).

Thule recommends a 58" bar, which seems pretty big. I can get 48-50" used locally for both styles, but otherwise would have to order a 58" in and would pay over twice as much.

Anyone running ~48" bars on their 4Runners? Any thoughts?

 

[TheLast13]

I have the 58 inch bar set up and there is just a little over hang. Ill see if I have a picture...

I cant imagine a 48 inch would even come close to reaching.

Take your tape measure up there and see how far 48 inches even is.

 

[TheLast13]

I cant find a picture on my work computer ill post one when I get home. I'm using the Thule 45058 kit. Works perfect for my RTT.

 

[invisible4Runner]

Thanks - I'd measured previously and thought they would fit, but it is hard to tell without the feet, since those use up some room on the edges.

For the overhang, I'm hoping it won't be enough for me to crack my head on. I'm in and out of the back seat all the time loading my son back there.

Any noise with your setup?

 

[Wingsuit]

The aero bars are not only quieter, but all aluminum, so you won't get that pesky rust under the plastic coating that the square bars will eventually get. I have some whopping 60 inch aero bars, which allows me to carry two surf ski kayaks outside the 4Runner roof rails. Frees up room for paddle boards or ski box on the inside. Unless you're super tall the bar ends shouldn't be in the way. The bars stick out 6 3/4 inches past the Thule tower that hooks onto the 4Runner roof rail. The recommended 53 inch bars stick out about 3 inches on each side. The next size smaller in aero bars is 47 which won't fit. If you don't need or want any part of the bar sticking out the Thule aero blade edge system will fit the 4Runner.

 

[Cymon]

Looking at adding some Thule roof rack bars. Not yet decided between the square steel bars, or the aerodynamic bars. I'd leave the aerodynamic ones on all the time, yet the square ones would be better for heavier and dirtier loads (e.g. wood).

Thule recommends a 58" bar, which seems pretty big. I can get 48-50" used locally for both styles, but otherwise would have to order a 58" in and would pay over twice as much.

Anyone running ~48" bars on their 4Runners? Any thoughts?

I run the 53" Aerobars and I think they are perfect. You don't even know they are up there, virtually no loss in mpg and nowind noise. unless you want to load stuff outside the frame of the roof. Below is a picture with a loaded Skybox 16 with a 10'6" paddle board and 9' longboard on the bars. Check out the etrailer website. The usually have video reviews with most products.

 

[Cymon]

The aero bars are not only quieter, but all aluminum, so you won't get that pesky rust under the plastic coating that the square bars will eventually get. I have some whopping 60 inch aero bars, which allows me to carry two surf ski kayaks outside the 4Runner roof rails. Frees up room for paddle boards or ski box on the inside. Unless you're super tall the bar ends shouldn't be in the way. The bars stick out 6 3/4 inches past the Thule tower that hooks onto the 4Runner roof rail. The recommended 53 inch bars stick out about 3 inches on each side. The next size smaller in aero bars is 47 which won't fit. If you don't need or want any part of the bar sticking out the Thule aero blade edge system will fit the 4Runner.

Here is a pic of the 53" unloaded like Wingsuit mentioned.

 

[Billy_R]

These were the 58 Yakima crossbars I ran

 

[invisible4Runner]

Thanks for all the great replies - glad I checked here before purchasing smaller sizes.

I'm sold on the larger aerobars now. The lack of rust is a good point too, as I live on the ocean and will be carrying canoes & kayaks as well.

Thanks!

 

[Cymon]

Thanks for all the great replies - glad I checked here before purchasing smaller sizes.

I'm sold on the larger aerobars now. The lack of rust is a good point too, as I live on the ocean and will be carrying canoes & kayaks as well.

Thanks!

You won't be sorry with the choice. If you're using it for canoes and kayaks definitely go with the 60".

 

[desertred]

Just as an FYI, I have a Yakima set up with a 48" bar in the Rail Grabbers. The bar extends about one and a half inches beyond the Rail Grabber clamp.

 

[Diesel_Dog]

I have the 58" Thule squares. They hang over the sides about 6 inches. I had to set the front one as far forward to accommodate my Thule box not interfering with my hatch opening. There was quite a bit of wind noise from this setup.

It sounds, from the posters above, that the areo bars are a lot quieter.

 

[JGrauman]

Fairing is on a 48" bar, flush with body. 58"s on the back, of course 5" overhang on both sides. Wanted the bike racks more easily accessible and plenty of room for the load warrior. Wouldn't think you could accomplish much with a 48" for the actual accessories unless you were to climb up on the truck like with the load warrior on mine.

 

[Ski Wagon]

I have the 65" Thile square bars on due to needing the extra overhang for certain configurations (e.g, roofbox, bike mount(s) and fly rod box). Overhang is about 9" on each side - no problems with entry-exit from rear doors. (Sorry if the photo is sideways - can't figure out how to rotate from phone)

 

[Wingsuit]

Also, if you are carrying kayaks/canoes, it's easier to tie the boats down with them closer to the ends of longer bars, and if you load from the side as opposed to the back like I do, it's way easier to lift a kayak up there if you don't have to set it too far inboard.

 

[GRIMACE]

I run the 53" Aerobars and I think they are perfect. You don't even know they are up there, virtually no loss in mpg and nowind noise. unless you want to load stuff outside the frame of the roof. Below is a picture with a loaded Skybox 16 with a 10'6" paddle board and 9' longboard on the bars. Check out the etrailer website. The usually have video reviews with most products.

Do you have a side pick of your box on the truck? I have a yakima lo pro. I can't open the hatch fully. I hoping by adding aftermarket bars I'll get the height I need to open the back.

 

[Cymon]

Do you have a side pick of your box on the truck? I have a yakima lo pro. I can't open the hatch fully. I hoping by adding aftermarket bars I'll get the height I need to open the back.

I can open the hatch fully and have no issues with the "shark fin" with this setup. I'm sorry I don't have any straight side pics, but here is on with a rear angle that might show you what you want to see, there is plenty of height vs the factory crossbars. Usually I run the box in the middle of the rack unless I need to put the boards on the roof (this picture was just to prove to the wife I could get it all up top).With just the box on the Aerobars I averaged about a 2-3 mpg drop at 70mph highway (approx 18mpg) from South Florida to Maryland last month. Noise is also very low, almost unnoticeable especially with the radio on and kids in the back.

 

[Loadedpocketz]

Anybody using a Thule Hullavator? Wondering whether I would need 53" or 60" Aeroblades for side loading.

 

[TheLast13]

Thanks - I'd measured previously and thought they would fit, but it is hard to tell without the feet, since those use up some room on the edges.

For the overhang, I'm hoping it won't be enough for me to crack my head on. I'm in and out of the back seat all the time loading my son back there.

Any noise with your setup?

The square bars did have a little whistle at highway speeds, so I bought the Thule front deflector and it eliminated any sound.

 

[apollo]

i use the 53" thule aeroblades, and i have an alpine roofbox that is narrow enough to be able to put a surfboard on one side. i position the roof box so that both clamps are inside the rails and as far to the outside as possible...if i were to do it again, i'd buy longer crossbars to have more room for boards

with this setup, i have the bars positioned asymmetrical with more bar on the surfboard side to allow me to loop straps under the extended part...longer bars would give me a bit more room