Q: Current Vehicle: 2001 VW Jetta (IV) – Future Vehicle: 2011 VW Golf (VI)

I am currently looking at getting Thule cross bars for my car (480R Foot Pack, RB47 Rapid Aero Bars, KIT 1051, 871XT Fairing 38”); however, I am also considering getting a new car in the next year or so. When I look up the parts that are recommended for the new car, I see that I would need a new fit kit (KIT 1323), aero bars (RB53), and possibly a new fairing (both the 871XT and the 872XT 44” are listed). My question is two fold: is it possible to install longer aero bars (putting the RB53’s on the 2001 Jetta) then recommended (I have seen many cars with longer square bars, but I am less familiar with how the aero bars are assembled), and do you know if the 44” fairing would fit on my current car?

A: Because of the way the Rapid Aero bars connect to the foot–via a channel located at the end of the bar–you cannot get a longer bar than what is listed as fitting your vehicle because the connection channels would be too far apart to settle into the tabs on the top of foot. As far as the fairing, you generally can go up or down a size without too much trouble. It just might look a little funny.

Q:  I have two vehicles, a 2003 VW Passat Wagon and a 2007 Volvo XC 90. I’m looking to equip them with a Thule system, and both have factory rails–so I believe I’ll require the Thule Crossroads 450.  However, I’m unsure whether the 50″ or the 58″ Thule load bars will be sufficient, or will I need  different size bars to accommodate the VW and Volvo?

A:  Yes, both vehicles will use the Thule 450 CrossRoad Roof Rack System. It is true that the Volvo takes the 58” load bars and the VW takes the 50” bars. However, you could still use the 58” bars on the VW if you don’t mind the extra 4 inches on either side.

And, while the Volvo does call for the 58” bars you may be able to trim them down once you mount them and see how they fit. Thule only lists the minimum bar length you can use, but since they only sell the bars in certain lengths it is possible you could get away with something in between 50” and 58”. They are easy to cut down with a hack saw.

We also have a couple of 450 packages that include locks that will save you a bit of money if you were to buy the rack and locks separately since the racks do not come with the locks. One package comes with the 58” bars and one comes with the 50” bars.

Q: I’m looking for a kayak rack for my 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan (Wolfsburg edition). I have the two bars on top of my roof but I don’t have cross ties (racks) to hold the kayak. The car has a panoramic sunroof (large) and an antenna on the roof in the back in the middle. Can you recommend a kayak rack for this car? I’d prefer to spend $100 or less for the cross bars/tie off.

A: Your best bet is the Thule 450 CrossRoads ($228.85 a bit more than $100 but well worth it) system and once you have these bars spanning across the vehicle you can use any type of kayak rack. The type of kayak rack you select is somewhat dependent on the kayak type/material you buy. Super wide kayaks may be best in a J cradle like the 835xtr, or if getting an expensive fiberglass boat then consider the 883 Glide and Set.

Q: I bought a set of q clips from a friend who had a vw passat, early to mid 2000′s I believe. Mocking it up on my car, there doesn’t appear to be any issues. I was close to bending the clips that he used and drilling a whole to fit hardware to fit my car, but thought I better do it the right way.

My 850 is a wagon. What is the difference? Could I make it work? What does the number 51 or 52 designate? I really want to avoid buying another clip.

A:  I applaud your gusto, but I would recommend buying the appropriate Q-Clips for your vehicle, which are the Q52s (the Q51s are for the 850 sedan). Using any other Q-Clip, especially after they’ve been drilled and bent, could result in a rack disaster.

Each set of Q-Clips are unique as they are designed and shaped specifically for a particular vehicle. Even if two look similar, it isn’t recommending using them for a vehicle they are not designed for.

This VW Jetta hitch mounted bike rack is using the Saris 4229 Thelma 2 hitch mount bike rack.

Here’s a nice shot of a Volkswagen Jetta 4 Door rear mounted hitch bike rack using the Saris 4229 Thelma 2 hitch bike rack.  It attaches to either 1 1/4″ or 2″ receiver hitches and carries two bikes in the upright position. This Jetta has a 1 1/4″ receiver and is using the Saris 3022 Locking Hitch Tite to lock the Saris Thelma 2 bike rack into the receiver. Also recommended is the Saris 981 Locking Cable to lock the bikes onto the rack.

Killer example of roof rack excellence, this VW Eurovan roof track rack system and luggage carrier is using the Yakima Control Tower System with 2 sets of #1 Landing Pads mounted into a set of Yakima 60" roof tracks and the Thule 605 Ascent 1700 cargo box.

This is the kind of rack magic we love to see, especially under a bluebird sky. I wanted to praise the owners but I was worried that they may have been taking a snooze after a long day on the trails. This Volkswagen Eurovan permanent roof tracks rack system with cargo carrier is using  a set of Yakima 60″ roof tracks mounted to the pop top. The Yakima Control Tower system is installed into the tracks using two sets of #1 Landing Pads (LP1).  A Thule 605 Ascent 1700 cargo box is attached to the Yakima 66″ crossbars.

Picture of a 2011 Volkswagen GTI Type VI 5 Door roof rack luggage rack system using the Thule 480 Rapid Traverse base rack system with Fit Kit 1323 and the Thule 686BXT Atlantis 1600 cargo box.

This is a great install photo showing a 2011 VW GTI 5 Door roof luggage rack and crossbar system using the Thule 480 Rapid Traverse base rack with Fit Kit 1323 and RB53 Rapid Aero Bars and the Thule 686BXT Atlantis 1600 cargo box.  As you can see, the VW GTI’s rear hatch is wide open and completely unobstructed by the box while the front end of the box doesn’t overhang the windshield too much. Cargo boxes are great to provide extra cargo storage for smaller vehicles.  Just make sure you choose the the right box like these folks did!

Q:  I’m a bit confused as to what to buy  for my 2011 VW GTI 2 Door. In the summer, I need to hold two bikes. In the winter, I need it to hold a snowboard/ski’s (not sure if this is a separate part). I also would like a wind fairing deflector. Are there other parts necessary to prevent paint scratching and door leaks?

A: Unfortunately your particular vehicle (2011 VW GTI 2 door) is prone to leakage when using some top of car racks. Due to this, we highly recommend you use the Yakima Q Tower System with two Copperhead bike carriers on the new GTI, as the thinner Yakima Q clips have less deformation to your rubber door gasket than other vendors systems.    In the winter, just add a Yakima ski carrier (see Big Powderhound) and you have a system for all your needs.  As for a Fairing you will need the 44” size.

Picture of the all-new Rocky Mounts Euro PitchFork bicycle carrier, a fork mounted roof bike rack for use on votex rack cross bars - OEM roof racks for Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mini Cooper, VW, Volvo etc., Whispbar roof racks, Thule Rapid Aero load bars, Thule Xsporter truck rack etc.

Following on the heels of the wildly-popular Rocky Mounts Pitchfork bike rack is the uber-cool RockyMounts Euro PitchFork bike rack. While the standard PitchFork model fits any roof rack square and round cross bars from Thule Racks, Inno Racks, Yakima Racks etc., it falls short when it comes to working with any oval, aerodynamic style cross bars with t-slot channels such as votex roof rack cross bars, which are available as OEM roof racks on Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mini Cooper, Volkswagen, Volvo etc., Whispbar roof rack crossbars, Thule Rapid Aero load bars, Thule Xsporter truck rack and more. The Rocky Mounts Euro Pitch Fork bicycle carrier has all the same premium features included on the normal RockyMount PitchFork, as well as the specific installation hardware for the slotted channel cross bars. And as with all other RockyMount bike rack products, this carrier delivers all the same high-end features, design styling and ease of use found on Yakima and Thule roof bike racks yet is available at a cheaper price. Works with most styles of bicycles, from road to mountain and anything in-between. Optionally locks the bicycle to the rack and the bike rack itself to the roof rack (RockyMounts locks sold separately).

2011 VW GTI 4 Door roof bike rack system using the Thule 480R Rapid Traverse base rack system with 1323 Fit Kit with 871XT fairing-air deflector and two Thule 518 Echelon bike racks using the Xadapt 9 adapter kits and two 593 Wheel-on wheel forks.

Nice install shot of a 2011 Volkswagen GTI 4 Door roof mounted bike rack system using the Thule 480R Rapid Traverse car rack system with Fit Kit 1323 and the 871XT wind fairing.  For bike transport, two Thule 518 Echelon fork mounted bike carriers are attached to the Rapid Aero bars using two Xadapt 9 Kits and carrying the front wheels are two Thule 593 Wheel-On bike wheel carriers.  Locking security is provided with the 596 lockpack (4 lock cores for the base rack system, 2 lock cores for the bike racks, all locked with one key).

Complete details and installation info for 2011 VW GTI 4-Door bike rack system.