Thule Aeroblade Roof Rack

[AWDLover]

Just purchased and installed a Thule roof rack. The parts are: 480R Rapid Traverse foot pack, ARB53 Aeroblade cross bars, fit kit 1462, and 544 4 pack of lock cylinders. Figured I would post a pic as I could not find any installed on a B8 sedan.

Install was super easy and these things are sturdy and very quiet. Plan on getting a couple of Rockymount Euro pitchfork bike racks and mounting my yakima ski rack up for the winter. Looked at the Whispbars but chose the Thule rack due to build quality and the fact that the fit kit on the Thule makes the bars more on a level plane with each other.

[audibmi]

Nice. I have the same setup. Too bad the 50 inch bars are only available in europe as they provide the perfect overhang. I tried 47 inch and they were too short in the front and the 53 is a tad too long. Rocky mount euro pitch fork provides the cleanest mount as hardware is well hidden without unsightly clamps. I use clear paint protection film on the car contact points. Won't scratch the paint that way.

[typer100]

Nice. I have the same setup. Too bad the 50 inch bars are only available in europe as they provide the perfect overhang. I tried 47 inch and they were too short in the front and the 53 is a tad too long. Rocky mount euro pitch fork provides the cleanest mount as hardware is well hidden without unsightly clamps. I use clear paint protection film on the car contact points. Won't scratch the paint that way.

Just cut 1.5" from both side... 50" bars :) It's just aluminium. Easy to do.

[AWDLover]

Just cut 1.5" from both side... 50" bars :) It's just aluminium. Easy to do.

Yup. I may do this down the road sometime. From Thule:

Q: I want to use a shorter bar than what Thule lists for my vehicle in the fit guide, can I do that or can I cut down the AeroBlade bar to a custom length?

A: Thule always recommends the shortest load bar that will fit the vehicle. The Thule Square bars can easily be cut down and the end cap will cover a imperfect cut. To cut down the AeroBlade, it is necessary to cut all four ends in order to keep the bars centered and an imperfect cut will show. Filing the ends can bring an imperfect cut back into square. Additionally, the end cap has a clip that engages into a notch at the end of the under bar slot, if you cut the bar you will cut away that notch, however, the end cap will still press and hold into place without the notch. So, the answer is yes, the AeroBlades can be cut down but it requires more precision and effort. A rotery miter saw with a non-ferrous metal cutting blade would produce the best results.

[fidelcashflo]

Dang so the 47 inch aeroblades definitely dont fit the B8?

[audibmi]

Dang so the 47 inch aeroblades definitely dont fit the B8?

when i initially measured fitment with 47" aero bars, they were from an A3. keep in mind at the time, i did not have the B8 fit kit yet, and because i couldn't tighten the clamps down, the bars appeared to be too short.

now that i have the actual fit kit for the B8, and everything set up and clamps tightened, i can confirm that the 47" bars work. my measurements are as follows for your reference, but I used a yard stick rather than my digital calipers, so I may be off slightly:

rear bar overhang on 53" bars is 4" on each side including the notch for endcaps which is 1/2" from each end.

front bar overhang on 53" bars is 3.5" on each side including the notch which is 1/2" from each end.


so, according to my calculations:

rear bars: 53"-4"-4"= 45", so with 47" bars, you will have 1" overhang on each side. You will also be able to retain the notch for the endcaps

front bars: 53"-3.5"-3.5 = 46", so with 47" bars, you will have 1/2" overhang on each side. You *may* be able to retain the notch for the endcaps, as they are approximately 1/2" from the end.

front overhang on 53" bars is 3.5" including notch


rear overhang on 53" bars is 4" including notch


notch for endcap measured from the end is 1/2"

[El. Cid]

looks very nice. I went with the Yakima Wispbar instead of the Aeroblade for the simple reason it can support a bit more weight but then got the Thule Sidearms that work perfectly for bikes. Both are great options.

[AWDLover]

looks very nice. I went with the Yakima Wispbar instead of the Aeroblade for the simple reason it can support a bit more weight but then got the Thule Sidearms that work perfectly for bikes. Both are great options.

Aren't they both rated around 165 lbs. unless you go with the whispbar HD?

[fidelcashflo]

when i initially measured fitment with 47" aero bars, they were from an A3. keep in mind at the time, i did not have the B8 fit kit yet, and because i couldn't tighten the clamps down, the bars appeared to be too short.

now that i have the actual fit kit for the B8, and everything set up and clamps tightened, i can confirm that the 47" bars work. my measurements are as follows for your reference, but I used a yard stick rather than my digital calipers, so I may be off slightly:

rear bar overhang on 53" bars is 4" on each side including the notch for endcaps which is 1/2" from each end.

front bar overhang on 53" bars is 3.5" on each side including the notch which is 1/2" from each end.

Thanks for the help man I appreciate it.
I went ahead and ordered a set of 53s and 47. Ill let you know if the 47s fit when i get them.

[fidelcashflo]

The 47s fit! Got them on tonight with no problem at all. Idk why Thule would recommend the 53s for the B8s because the 47s fit perfectly.
Took some shitty iphone pics:

[audibmi]

looks good. Glad it worked out!

[Itgb]

Just another vote for the 47in aerobars here. They fit perfect on my avant.

[skimtb27]

I have a 2012 avant and I wanted to purchase Thule's new Aeroblade EDGE, that sits flush off that footpack with no overhang and their most quiet, BUT, apparently this set up will interfere with the moonroof when open (major bummer as I ride MTB and ski year round). They (Thule) used the word "may interfere with"....does any A4 Avant owners or others know of anyone with this set up that can confirm?? Otherwise, i will go with the setup like you have...which is still nice

Joe

[skimtb27]

Just another vote for the 47in aerobars here. They fit perfect on my avant.

Itgb - can you post picture of your avant with the Aerobars? I am contemplating which set up to get...thanks!

[Itgb]

Itgb - can you post picture of your avant with the Aerobars? I am contemplating which set up to get...thanks!

I don't have the aerobars on at the moment, but they look exactly like this: A4 Avant with Thule Aerobars

[skimtb27]

I don't have the aerobars on at the moment, but they look exactly like this: A4 Avant with Thule Aerobars

Thanks for the link, I saw that vid on youtube but wasnt completely sold it was what I wanted. A few weeks back I found the thread with the extensive review of the whispbars on a red avant and they looked sweet...flush edge and sunroof fully functional. Then I learned they were recalled for our avants :(.

[Chelsea]

So does the quietest Thule or Yakima Whispbar work on the Avant? I see differing opinions here.

The fact that the roof doesn't open is mildly annoying, but not a big deal to me. I don't keep the bars on if I'm not hailing bikes or the box.

[vtwinjunkie]

So does the quietest Thule or Yakima Whispbar work on the Avant? I see differing opinions here.

The fact that the roof doesn't open is mildly annoying, but not a big deal to me. I don't keep the bars on if I'm not hailing bikes or the box.

Got a set of arb53's for sale if anyone is interested near new condition. $100 bucks plus shipping.

[sidkneeeeee]

Got a set of arb53's for sale if anyone is interested near new condition. $100 bucks plus shipping.

Damn i need to sell mines too, sucks there was no update on this thread when i purchased the bars. Its kind of annoying me how much the bars hang.

I think i will need to cut off the sides as stated by audibmi with the new specs. Im iffy though about cutting it need an electric saw and with non ferrous blade.