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Our cars are used for a lot of outdoor activities, so the first “day 2” mod is always roof racks. I prefer Thule, and for the RX 350, I chose the Thule AeroBlade Edge System, part #7602. The fit kit is Thule part #4072. With this installation Thule’s minimum crossbar spacing is 27 in., with a maximum of 49 in. I spaced these bars 32 in center to center, with the front crossbar spaced 16 in back from the leading edge of the factory rail. This 32 in crossbar spacing makes for perfect fitment of our bike racks or Thule cargo box. The AeroBlade system will support 165 lbs. I purchased the crossbars from REI, but the fit kit came from Rack It in San Diego; REI does not have this fit kit available. Bars cost $249 ea + tax, and fit kit was $110. Locks cost $60. Total cost $708. Expensive, I know, but the system will transport a lot more expensive carbon bikes, and I will never have worries of loosing a bike or cargo box. The racks will remain on the car year round giving the car a little sportier look, without wind noise. BTW, I never use commercial car washes. ��
1. Measure out location on factory flush mount roof rails and mark with painters tape.
2. Remove crossbar from box, lay on floor, and pull each end of bar out to expose marks denoting length. Pull to 40.
3. Attach fit kit piece with single bolt as shown in instructions. Do this to each end.
4. Protect roof with soft towel, and carefully lay crossbar assembly in place. Line up each end with taped location. Carefully fit rubber padded foot over rail on one side, and tighten single bolt on fit kit piece just a few turns. Don’t tighten the bolt in crossbar yet.
5. Repeat step 4 on opposite side. Now tighten fit kit bolt to about 50%.
6. Tighten other side to 50% and check bar length for equal settings i.e. 40 on one side and 40 on opposite side. Gently pull/push to make equal.
7. Finish tightening fit kit bolt on each side to 100% or 6 newton meters, or about 50 inch lbs. Use inch pound torque wrench to adjust if available.
8. Now firmly snug up the single Allen bolt at each end of crossbar.
9. Finish by placing plastic covers on each end per Thule instructions.
10. Note: front crossbar will be adjusted to 50 if set back 16 in from front end of rail. Front crossbar will be adjusted wider than rear crossbar because of roof shape.
11. Rear crossbar will be adjusted to about 40 if set up with 32 in bar spacing.
12. Add locks if you have them.
13. Always carry key and Allen wrench with you when traveling.
14. Happy trails!
I went with the Thule Wingbar Evo, hoping to get a little more clearance from the top of the car above the sunroof. Should arrive tomorrow.
For others that ordered this, what crossbar size did you use? The Thule site says to use 711300 (50 inch), but eTrailer says to use TH711200 (47 inch). In the end I ordered through Thule assuming they know best what they're talking about.
Our cars are used for a lot of outdoor activities, so the first “day 2” mod is always roof racks. I prefer Thule, and for the RX 350, I chose the Thule AeroBlade Edge System, part #7602. The fit kit is Thule part #4072. With this installation Thule’s minimum crossbar spacing is 27 in., with a maximum of 49 in. I spaced these bars 32 in center to center, with the front crossbar spaced 16 in back from the leading edge of the factory rail. This 32 in crossbar spacing makes for perfect fitment of our bike racks or Thule cargo box. The AeroBlade system will support 165 lbs. I purchased the crossbars from REI, but the fit kit came from Rack It in San Diego; REI does not have this fit kit available. Bars cost $249 ea + tax, and fit kit was $110. Locks cost $60. Total cost $708. Expensive, I know, but the system will transport a lot more expensive carbon bikes, and I will never have worries of loosing a bike or cargo box. The racks will remain on the car year round giving the car a little sportier look, without wind noise. BTW, I never use commercial car washes. ��
1. Measure out location on factory flush mount roof rails and mark with painters tape.
2. Remove crossbar from box, lay on floor, and pull each end of bar out to expose marks denoting length. Pull to 40.
3. Attach fit kit piece with single bolt as shown in instructions. Do this to each end.
4. Protect roof with soft towel, and carefully lay crossbar assembly in place. Line up each end with taped location. Carefully fit rubber padded foot over rail on one side, and tighten single bolt on fit kit piece just a few turns. Don’t tighten the bolt in crossbar yet.
5. Repeat step 4 on opposite side. Now tighten fit kit bolt to about 50%.
6. Tighten other side to 50% and check bar length for equal settings i.e. 40 on one side and 40 on opposite side. Gently pull/push to make equal.
7. Finish tightening fit kit bolt on each side to 100% or 6 newton meters, or about 50 inch lbs. Use inch pound torque wrench to adjust if available.
8. Now firmly snug up the single Allen bolt at each end of crossbar.
9. Finish by placing plastic covers on each end per Thule instructions.
10. Note: front crossbar will be adjusted to 50 if set back 16 in from front end of rail. Front crossbar will be adjusted wider than rear crossbar because of roof shape.
11. Rear crossbar will be adjusted to about 40 if set up with 32 in bar spacing.
12. Add locks if you have them.
13. Always carry key and Allen wrench with you when traveling.
14. Happy trails!
Thank you for your post, I bought 2 #7602 crossbars. My RX350 has a panoramic roof and reading from another post, they recommended place the front crossbar about 11" from the front of the rail, so that it won't interfere with the moon roof.
Thule's website recommends #7602 for front and rear but in my case the from bar is very "stretched out" and when I tighten the feet I feel it is putting lot of pressure. What's the width of your from crossbar? Thanks!
My front bar is at 50 (Thule measuring marks on bar). Front bar will be set to a wider width because of taper in body width from front to rear. Please see step #10. PM me if you need additional help.
My front bar is at 50 (Thule measuring marks on bar). Front bar will be set to a wider width because of taper in body width from front to rear. Please see step #10. PM me if you need additional help.
So I received the longer cross bar for the front and I have to say it’s a much better fit, I’m not sure why Thule stopped recommending it.
I assembled everting and I’m pleased with the looks and quality.
I got one more questions, I noticed there is a small bag in between the plastic mount cover and the mount itself (see attached pic).
It seems OP has a similar gap but I was wondering if there was any way to fix that, to please my OCD needs
I just purchased a 2022 350 RX and want to add factory crossbars. I will be mounting my Thule cargo box with the “claw”clips and am wondering about minimum and maximum distance between bars. I called the dealer and they couldn’t tell me.
Anyone know the maximum front to back distance? Thanks much!
As I recall on my 2020 Rx350, my factory crossbars only can be placed in one position. i removed them to try to increase the distance when I mounted by Thule kayak carriers but found that they fit into a single slot on the rails and couldn't be widened out. They work fine though for me carrying 2 kayaks in the factory position.
As I recall on my 2020 Rx350, my factory crossbars only can be placed in one position. i removed them to try to increase the distance when I mounted by Thule kayak carriers but found that they fit into a single slot on the rails and couldn't be widened out. They work fine though for me carrying 2 kayaks in the factory position.
Thanks for the info. I’m surprised that they aren’t adjustable. I may have to go with a Thule mounting system.
04-19-19, 08:19 AM
Thule Crossbar install
