Racks and Cargo Management
Frequently Asked Questions
A roof rack is typically made of 3 different components: a crossbar, a tower, and a fit kit. The towers and crossbars are fairly universal and a fit kit is very vehicle specific.
Often, when you get a new vehicle, you can use some of the components from your old roof rack, and you’ll only need to purchase a few items from us. Calgary Hitch Shop can look at your roof rack and determine what parts are needed for your new vehicle.
Roof racks can be attached in a number of different ways, including:
- Pre-existing holes in the roof specifically designed for a roof rack
- A raised rail that’s on the roof specifically for attaching a roof rack
- There’s a flushed rail designed for a roof rack
- The vehicle’s rain gutters (least common)
Yes. Thule and Yakima have racks that can clamp to your rails, allowing you to transport accessories easily.
Bent or short crossbars are common. Factory ones can be removed and placed on whatever length is needed for your application. Aftermarket roof racks will often have a higher weight rating than factory ones.
Yes. If your crossbars are strong enough, then you can fasten your skis, kayak, bike racks, etc., without any problems.
