How wide should the cross bars be?

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:24 pm

How wide should they be if I don't want them to overhang more than just a little bit. Basically, I want them to extend past the mounts just enough to be able to use them to wrap a strap around, maybe 1.5" - 2" inches I guess? The Thule website is showing 53" bars as the only option but I'm not sure if that's too wide or if it's not enough. My Jeeps not with me so I can't measure myself.

dgeist · **Posted:** Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:02 pm

scoobysnax wrote:

How wide should they be if I don't want them to overhang more than just a little bit. Basically, I want them to extend past the mounts just enough to be able to use them to wrap a strap around, maybe 1.5" - 2" inches I guess? The Thule website is showing 53" bars as the only option but I'm not sure if that's too wide or if it's not enough. My Jeeps not with me so I can't measure myself.

Don't remember the exact size, but I used the yakima fitment calculator then went one full size bigger. The great part is that most brands can be trimmed with a hacksaw, so get the longest you've comfortable with (I say don't go past the mid-point of the mirrors) and then trim if they make you nervous.

bugnout · **Posted:** Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:55 pm

the rails are wider at the front than the back. If you cut them the same length, the back will hang out farther than the front. Its not really noticeable unless you look closely.

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:09 pm

Good points. Does anyone know the distance between the roof rails at their widest point so I can get an idea of what I'll need. According to the Thule fit guild the Thule "Rapid Load Bars" would be 53" for the liberty. But the regular load bars come up 50".

I'm thinking of getting the regular ones to save on the price and I've heard that the aero bars really don't make a difference in terms of wind resistance. Anyone know if that statement is true?

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:19 am

I've got the 50" Thule load bars on my wife 02. I will get pics tonight for you after work.

edit: these bars are square and noisyon the highway! I had them on my 05 Limited but I had to move them to the wifes because they were just too noisy with the sunroof open on the highway. I have the factory Mopar rails now and much quieter. You might also want to think about Yakima as their bars are round and may be quieter as well.

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:06 pm

here you go: Thule 50" load bars with Thule Footpads. Front and back.

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:40 pm

just an FYI: I would look into the mopar cross rails, they are designed to fit the KJ , less noise on the highway and if you run them all the way to the front and rear you will only have about 1.5 overhang.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:55 pm

why bother with cross bars
surco rack has support bars that fit left to right just fine
and $5 in U-bolts holds it one
the entire rack cost me ~$150
I has held a full ice chest and 5 nights of camping "stuff" for 4 adults for a 600+ mile trip

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:07 pm

i have the yakima lowrider mounts and 48" crossbars and they fit perfectly fine, the back maybe has 2" or more overhang and the front has about 1 or 1.5", about, they stick out but not a lot

you can kinda see in these pics how much they stick out

How wide should the cross bars be?

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