Guide to roof bars: Attaching items to roof bars – The Roof Box Company Help Centre

There is a number of ways that roof mounted accessories (bike carriers, roof boxes, water sports carriers, ski/snowboard carriers, etc) can be attached to the bars, depending on the type of bar that the item is being attached to.

Most new roof mounted accessories can be attached to either steel bars, or aluminium aero bars and all the required fittings are provided. It is often normally possible to purchase t-track adapters separately if these aren't supplied with the product (more details below).

T-track adapters

T-track adapters are a T headed bolt that usually sides into a channel on the top of the roof bar. Sometimes the T-bolt pushes in from the top of the bar and twists/expands into place. This allows use of the full length of the bar, so is the best option if you need to carry a lot of, or large items on your roof.

T-Track bolts are only suitable for aluminium bars.

How do you fit T-track adapters?

When you need to fit the T track adapter you usually have to open the aerobar end cover and slide the T track bolts into the slot that runs along the top of the bar. Depending on the brand of roof bar you may have to remove the rubber strip from the t track before sliding in the adapter.

The T track bolts can be used at any position along the roof bar making it easy to fit the roof mounted product at any point along the aero bar.

Once fitted the T track bolt sticks up into the roof mounted product and is secured with the supplied wingnuts or clamps.

Are T-track bolts included with roof mounting products?

If we list T-Track adapters in the accessories tab on a product page, they will not be included with the product, but can be purchased separately.

BMW branded bars

If you have BMW own branded bars you will need to order specific t-track adapters as the t-track channel is wider on BMW bars than on standard bars.

If these are available, they will be listed in the accessories section of the product page.

U-bolts

U-bolts fit underneath the bar and are usually secured inside with wing-nuts. U-bolt fittings will be a specific width. You do need to be sure they are wide enough to work with your roof bars. T-track fittings are often available as an option if U-bolt fittings are too wide for your aluminium T-track bars.

Claw fittings

Many of our most popular roof boxes are supplied with claw type fittings. Claw fittings are very easy to use; you just turn a large knob inside the box to secure the fittings to your roof bars. Claw fittings fit most of the roof bars we sell.

Yakima fittings

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Many Yakima products have fittings that fit around the bars. These fittings work with most roof bars. T-slot (T-track) adapters are available for a limited number of Yakima products. T-slot fittings will be listed separately, where available.