Thule ARB53 Aeroblade 53-Inch Roof Rack Bars Review
Thule ARB53 Aeroblade 53-Inch Roof Rack Bars Feature
- Aerodynamic bar helps reduce any possible cabin noise, and integrated T-slot allows easy mounting of select Thule accessories
- WindDiffuser textured surface on the t-slot cover disturbs the airflow better than a smooth surface, greatly reducing wing noise
- BoxBeam aluminum extrusion creates one of the strongest load bars in the market - over 800 lbs of force
- SwingBlade end caps pivot open to allow full access to the t-slot for easy accessory installs
- SmartSlide molded measurement system provides quick, no-hassle, tape-measure-free foot installation
- Best accessory compatibility and interface
- Easier, faster accessory attachment
- Fits the most vehicles
- Nothing is quieter or stronger
Thule AeroBlade roof rack bars are advanced roof rack crossbars that feature dramatically reduced noise, superior strength, total safety and an attractive aerodynamic look. AeroBlades come 43", 47", 53", and 60" bar lengths. They are compatible with a variety of Thule rack feet, including Thule Rapid Traverse, Rapid Podium, Rapid Crossroad, Rapid Tracker, Rapid Aero (sold separately). Feet slide easily onto the bars via underbar slots, while a wide variety of accessories* slide onto the bars via slots along the top of the bar. The wing design of the bars and WindDiffuser strips at the top and covers for underbar slots, keep wind noise to a minimum, while BoxBeam aluminum extrusion construction provides strength and a light weight. Additional features include: tape measure-free installation, and pivoting SwingBlade end caps.
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Features Designed for Strength and Easy, Quiet Use
Quiet WindDiffuser Strips
WindDiffuser technology is a big part of the AeroBlade being one of the most quiet roof rack load bars on the market. Provided in strips that can be cut to fit around rack accessories, the textured WindDiffuser surface sits on the top-oriented T-slot cover of the AeroBlade load bars and disturbs the airflow better than a smooth surface, greatly reducing wing noise.
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Strong BoxBeam Construction
The sophisticated BoxBeam aluminum extrusion construction of AeroBlades creates one of the strongest load bars in the market. Extrusion construction creates a fixed cross-section made up of separate compartments running the length of the forged aluminum bars. Compartments have separate load-bearing vertical sections that add support to load bars. This creates incredible strength within the bars, that is not compromised by the light aluminum construction. Using a vertical load test, the AeroBlade can sustain over 800 lbs. Of force.
Tape Measure-Free Installation with SmartSlide
The AeroBlade contains a measuring system/component known as a SmartSlide that allows for quick, no-hassle, tape measure-free installation on rack feet. The SmartSlide is a stiff, molded T-shaped strip with measurement increments etched into its upper surface. With it users can quickly make the simple measurements that may be needed when trimming the WindDiffuser and the additional T-strips used to cover the outer edge of the underbar slot once rack feet have been slid on. Covering these slots improves aerodynamics and noise diffusion as air flows over the AeroBlade. In addition, because the SmartSlide is designed to slide along the inner edge of the underbar slot to the mounting point of rack feet, the four SmartSlides included also cover these section's open slot. This minimizes the need to trim T-strips in the primary rack application, allows AeroBlades to more easily be used on multiple vehicles, and insures that a measuring device is always available.
Easy Access to T-slots with SwingBlade End Caps
Unlike the traditional end caps of some load bar systems that must be pulled off in order to gain access to accessory mounting T-slots, AeroBlade SwingBlade end caps (four included) pivot open and closed without being removed. This pivoting action allows full access to the T-slot for easy and fast accessory installs. It also ensures that misplacement of removed end caps is never an issue.
What's in the Box
- Two 53" AeroBlade load bars
- Four SwingBlade end caps
- Two 53" WindDiffuser textured strips
- Four SmartSlide strips
- Two bottom of bar T-strips
- Installation guide and warranty information
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule.
About Thule
Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life.
* Note: The following products are not compatible with the AeroBlade: 503 Load Stops, 516 Prologue, 579XT Canoe Carrier, 558P Tandem Carrier, 597XT Hullavator, 847 Outrigger II, 870XT-873XT Fairings, 884 Roll Model.
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