weird cross bars

[thebat]

On my 05 TB LT, factory roof rack and cross bars, the bars front edge is at an angle, front edge pointing down.What is up with the angle on the factory cross bars? I have a very difficult time getting ski racks or my Thule box to properly connect to these bars. Shouldn't they be level with the ground?
I would like to replace them with normal cross bars but it is difficult to find any that fit into the factory rack.

 

[Sparky]

My guess is the angle is for aerodynamics/noise.

The factory rack is a little weird. The rails on the roof have those long solid sections that you can't tie anything to either. Almost like it is a form over function rack.

I came close to fabbing some DIY cross bars out of square tubing with extra spots to tie stuff to (mostly for sticking ladders for work on), but never got around to actually spending the time/money doing it.

 

[xavierny25]

For this same reason I opted to change it all out rack and bars. I grabbed a set of Saab roof rails installed them and a set of aftermarket bars. Now I can have a combination of stuff up on top.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

I use 1 inch square Thule bars for crossbars

 

[thebat]

I use 1 inch square Thule bars for crossbars

Do these fit into the factory mounted roof rack? Can they adjust like the original? This seems like what I need although the 'Thule' name sounds like it's big bucks.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

They are not direct fit. I used 3/8 bolt n washer which slides right in the stock channel and they are fully adjustable then. You can do the same thing with standard 1 inch square aluminum tube from any big box hardware store/lowes/home depot/menards

 

[thebat]

Do you have the Thule part numbers? I looked on the Thule site and it said they don't have anything that fits 2005 TB. I'd like to set mine up like yours.

 

[Medic3166]

For this same reason I opted to change it all out rack and bars. I grabbed a set of Saab roof rails installed them and a set of aftermarket bars. Now I can have a combination of stuff up on top.View attachment 80990

That looks awesome! I was going to order a track-mount foot kit for my rhino rack bars, but with our tall racks it would look goofy as hell. I like the clamp mount racks.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Do you have the Thule part numbers? I looked on the Thule site and it said they don't have anything that fits 2005 TB. I'd like to set mine up like yours.

They are not TB specific, just standard bars like these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007CZTW0/?tag=gmtnation-20

 

[thebat]

So you have the
Thule 480 Traverse Foot Pack?

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

No. I have 2 bars of 1 inch square tube like the link shows, no foot or pack. Just the bars and a couple bolts n washers that slide right in the stock track.

Thule Roof Rack Load Bars, Set of 2