[Netmammal]

The "Official" GM roof rack is rated for 165 pounds. Problem is, if you go to Thule's website, and look at the 3168 fit kit, you find out Thule lists the limit as 110 pounds in the instructions.


Does anyone have any clue as to why Thule has a lower weight limit on their website than they gave GM to put up for their listing? I think I read somewhere that GM considers 165 to be the max for ANY roof rack, and I am pretty sure that is what Yakima lists for their own rack.

 

[mraymondus]

I know there is a difference if you have an LT vs Premier (both using Thule bars). Apparently, the Premier rails can distribute more weight than the pads with door clamps. I believe that the difference is 50lbs (Premier can carry 50lbs more)

 

[Netmammal]

The fit kit I mentioned is for the rail mounting, not the LT. I actually suspect the non-rail mounting has a higher weight limit (I have not checked.)

 

[The Yukon Bolt]

I beleive the Thule weight limit is based on their rails, in their insturctions on the web you still have to stay under the cars maximum weight rating, and you have to take into account the weight of the Thule parts
to calculate how much you can actually cary.

https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000173471-CrossBar-Weight-Limits

The "Official" GM roof rack is rated for 165 pounds. Problem is, if you go to Thule's website, and look at the 3168 fit kit, you find out Thule lists the limit as 110 pounds in the instructions.


Does anyone have any clue as to why Thule has a lower weight limit on their website than they gave GM to put up for their listing? I think I read somewhere that GM considers 165 to be the max for ANY roof rack, and I am pretty sure that is what Yakima lists for their own rack.

 

[lauragorf]

I also had this question. I am traveling a lot with my family, doesn't he a car, and always lacked space for the luggage. Once I decided to install a THULE, I wasn't sure that it would be possible to make it on my car. I have a Mercedes-Benz W211. I found on cararac.com that the car's roof is big enough for the THULE, so I went to the specialized shop. I was wondered how many types of such baggage sections are, and it was hard for me to choose one that would be just perfect. In the end, I chose the biggest one, because and extra space is always a good idea.

 

[boltage]

Thule states that their weight limits are generically 165 pounds, but they also say that some vehicles have lower weight limits for vehicle-specific reasons. Maybe GM, when sourcing the rack from Thule, only looked at the generic 165 pound limit and not the vehicle-specific detail of a lower limit?