Thule 599xt bike carrier

"rparsons" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Has anyone tried mounting a Thule 599xt bike carrier directly to the
cross beams of a factory roof rack? I called Thule and they said you
can't do it, but when I look at the mounting clamps and instruction
sheet (from an open box at the store), it looks like it would work.

I wouldn't. The cross-bars on most factory roof carriers with which cars
are equipped are designed for a different purpose.

Thule sells a system called the "tracker" consisting of "adaptors" which
lock securely into the car's roof-rack "channel" and onto which rack
components are securely locked in turn. At highway speeds, there are
twisting moments applied to rack components for which factory racks are not
designed. Thule's racks ARE designed to withstand these forces.

They're relatively inexpensive when compared to the cost not only of the
loss of your bicycle(s) but what you'll owe that tailgater when your factory
roof rack with its cargo goes through his windshield. If you had a Thule
cross bar attached to your car's factory rack, neither Thule nor your car's
manufacturer would be able to help you out with your loan application to pay
for it.