Roofrack Problem

Edward Holt said:

My Thule roofrack fell off my Toyota Starlet at 60mph today with two
bikes on.
Luckily no cars were hit wor much damage sustained to the bikes - I
only damaged a handle bar grip on one of them.
The roof rack is a write off - that's only the fourth time I used it.

I can't think why that came off - maybe because it was freezing
weather when I out it on th car then it got warmer during the day?

Sorry to hear that. I check mine periodically to make sure the clamps are
still tight and always prior to attaching the bikes.
My problem is forgetting the bikes are on the car when going into the
garage.........doh!

Gary

Edward Holt said:

My Thule roofrack fell off my Toyota Starlet at 60mph today with two

bikes

Quoted message said:

on.
Luckily no cars were hit wor much damage sustained to the bikes - I

only

Quoted message said:

damaged a handle bar grip on one of them.
The roof rack is a write off - that's only the fourth time I used it.

I can't think why that came off - maybe because it was freezing

weather when

Quoted message said:

I out it on th car then it got warmer during the day?

Improper installation, possibly? Weather should not affect it's
ability to work correctly.

I have used a Thule rack for 12 years now, and had it on 4 different
vehicles. Carried 6 surfboards (they catch lots of wind) at one time,
5 bicycles at once, and 10 sheets of half inch thick plywood without
any issues. All those were long trips (5+ hours) minus the plywood,
multiple times.

I crank the foot attachments very tight, so the bar bends downward
very slightly. You should be able to yank front and back on it without
it moving.

Sorry to say it's likely installation error. Good luck about the lack of
damage (and lawsuits).

Tighten the bolts successively at each tower till everything is snug. Then
tighten again. If it's an older car, check rain gutters (if that type of
foot) to ensure no rust involved. If it's mounted to factory rails, ensure
the rail fastenings aren't failing.

I've had mine on various cars (with various feet) for over a decade, and
check them by grabbing the bars and rocking the entire vehicle. There
should be zero play in the bar to roof connections.

Cheers
Gary

"Edward Holt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

My Thule roofrack fell off my Toyota Starlet at 60mph today with two bikes
on.
Luckily no cars were hit wor much damage sustained to the bikes - I only
damaged a handle bar grip on one of them.
The roof rack is a write off - that's only the fourth time I used it.

I can't think why that came off - maybe because it was freezing weather

when

Quoted message said:

I out it on th car then it got warmer during the day?