Share
THULE RACKS 10% OFF SALE GOING ON NOW!
+ free shipping on orders of $99 & over (contiguous US only)
*Thule luggage excluded from 10% off sale
*Thule cargo roof boxes excluded from free shipping program
Features Thule AeroBlade load bars... the world's most advanced roof rack crossbars, featuring absolute silence (zero roof rack noise), superior strength, total safety and stunning good looks!
» learn more about Thule AeroBlade load bars
also available:
Thule 480 Traverse roof rack w/ square bars
(uses classic square load bars instead of AeroBlade load bars)
This exclusive design offers discerning customers premium styling and sleek good looks! The complete Thule 480 Rapid Traverse roof rack system is the ultimate multi-purpose base rack solution for cars and pickup truck cabs that have smooth, naked rooftops with no rain gutters, no factory side rails, no factory racks etc. The Thule 480R Rapid Traverse car rack system works the same as the regular Thule 480 Traverse system but uses the premium, aerodynamic Thule AeroBlade bars instead of square load bars. The Rapid Traverse is the result of extensive engineering and testing by Thule Racks, delivering the strongest hold, safest fit and easiest installation for total roof rack peace of mind. Replaces the Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero car rack system with a host of new features and benefits. The Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack includes 50% fewer parts and requires half the time to install than any competitors' models. Optionally lockable outer cover features bold, contemporary styling and hides and protects the interior of each Foot while blending flawlessly with any roofline for a truly integrated appearance. We highly recommend a four pack of Thule Locks (not included; see accessory add-ons below) to lock the rack to vehicle.
The Thule 480R Rapid Traverse complete roof rack system includes all 3 components that are necessary for installing a general-purpose base rack on your vehicle's roof top, providing the foundation that will allow you to then connect roof mount gear carriers that carry your gear and equipment:
- Four (4) Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Feet.
- Four (4) Thule Traverse Fit Kit clips (specific to your vehicle; see ordering notes below).
- Two (2) Thule AeroBlade Load bars (bar end caps included).
Effortless installation process thanks to these included patented features: AccuTight Tightening Tool - Automatically indicates when the car rack is safely and properly attached to vehicle, assuring the safest install on all styles of vehicles; MaxClamp Technology - Dramatically greater vehicle grip over any competitors' Foot Pack, Towers, Stays etc.; EZ Assemble Design - 50% fewer parts and requires half the time to install; EasyClick Traverse Fit Kit Clips - Attach to each 480R Rapid Traverse Foot without tools or fasteners; OneTouch Bar Lock - separates Foot positioning from rack mounting, set it once and done.
Protective surfaces on rack prevent shifting and protect vehicle's paint. No tools required for assembly; easy-to-follow installation instructions manual included. Can be locked to the car rooftop using a 4-pack of Thule Racks One Key System lock cylinders (not included; see accessory add-ons below). Thule Racks Lifetime Warranty!
The 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack uses the exact same existing Fit Kit Clips that work with the regular 480 Traverse Foot Pack. The Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack is designed to work exclusively with the super strong, totally silent Thule AeroBlade load bars, creating a seemlessly integrated sleek look. The AeroBlade load bars are offered in four sizes for optimal fit on any vehicle (we highly recommend using our Thule Racks Fit Guide, see above or below, to determine proper Aero Blade bars length for your specific vehicle.) Customize rack by connecting Thule gear carriers to the AeroBlade load bars. (Thule Xadapt kits required for connecting certain carriers; see accessory add-ons below).
Virtually all Thule roof mount gear carriers attach directly to the Thule AeroBlade load bars or using the Thule Xadapt Kit adapters. Please click the link below to view compatibility specifications of the most popular Thule sports gear carriers when used on Thule Aero Blade bars:
» complete Thule gear carrier compatibility chart
SPECIAL NOTE: Short roof lined cars, minivans & pickup trucks including 2-door models and vehicles with dramatically curved rooftops must check the Thule Racks automated fit guide (see below) to determine if your car or pickup truck requires the additional Thule 487 Traverse Short Roof Adapter kit (sold separately; see accessory add-ons below).
» Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Instructions Manual
Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Roof Rack Resource Wall
Product Reviews
Read the reviews below to find out what other customers are saying about the Thule Rapid Traverse 480R roof rack system.
Contribute Your Review of the Thule Rapid Traverse Car Rack |
» all Thule 480R Rapid Traverse roof rack reviews
Excellent Service!
this Thule 480R Rapid Traverse review by E. Tweed
vehicle year/make/model: 2011 VW GTI
item(s) transported: road and mountain bikes
(also reviewing Thule 518 Echelon bike rack and Thule 593 Wheel-On wheel holder) Excellent service! Got everything I needed for a great looking and easy install! ORS has been great and easy to work with - and quick! They had everything I needed to install the rack on my new 2011 VW GTI 4Dr roof. Install was a breeze!
Quick, Clean, Cool, Quality!
this Thule 480R Rapid Traverse review by Steve F.
vehicle year/make/model: 2011 Volkswagen Golf
item(s) transported: 18' kayak
(also reviewing Yakima Bow Down j-cradles kayak rack) I've never had a vehicle with a naked roof before so this combo was a new adventure for me. The fit turned out impeccably well & the installation took about 25 minutes total. I'm very happy with the look - very streamlined & solid, & my 18 footer rests snugly & safely in the Yakima BowDown kayak cradles. The Aero bars are not as noisy as the round ones I used to have, but they make their presence known, when not loaded, at 50 mph & above. All in all a really great set up for me!
Great Product
this Thule 480R Rapid Traverse car rack review by Tim
vehicle year/make/model: 2011 Audi A4
item(s) transported: bicycles
I previously had different Thule base components for a different vehicle and loved it. The new components (I am using the Thule 480R Foot Pack, Thule RB53 bars, Thule 1462 Kit) were very easy to assemble and attach to my vehicle. Great product line.
Product Discussion
Discuss the Thule 480R Rapid Traverse roofrack system. Use the form below to fire away with your questions, answers and general comments about this product. |
» all Thule 480R Traverse roofrack discussion posts
Shane asks - I'm trying to install this system on my Saab 9-2x but having issues. Specifically, the Fit Kit clip is not long enough to reach from the 480 Foot to the correct position on the door well. Any help?
ORS Racks Direct crew answers - Check out this photo link of the Thule 480 Traverse Foot troubleshoot to solve your problem. Image A depicts grey screw on the Thule 480 Traverse Foot in the fully tightened position and clip positioned at highest point (the Fit Kit attaches to the clip). If you find that the Fit Kit does not reach down far enough to be
positioned correctly on your doorwell, simply fully loosen the grey screw and the clip will lower to its lowest position as depicted in image B. You can then attach the Fit Kit to the clip in this lowest position, allowing the
Fit Kit to be properly positioned on the doorwell.
Mike W. asks - I have Thule bike trays that I had mounted to an old Thule roof rack for fork mounting a mountain bike. I just purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 4 door, and wanted to double-check that this is a compatible system to be used as a 2011 Chevy Cruze roof rack set up.
ORS Crew answers - Yes, running the Thule 480 Traverse roof rack system as a 2011 Chevy Cruze roof rack set up is a superb choice. System includes a set of four Thule 480 Traverse Feet, set of 1569 Traverse Fit Kit clips and a pair of 50 inch load bars with end caps. You can then attach your current Thule bike trays and any other gear carriers to the load bars. Note that you will probably have to use the Thule Xadapt9 Kit to connect your fork mount bike tray to the AeroBlade load bars. The Thule 480 Traverse car rack system (with classic square Thule bars) is also an option, and you would not need to use the Xadapt 9 Kit for the square bars.
MN-Twins asks - I have a 2007 Ford F250 four door crew cab and just want to confirm the 480R will work (also want to make sure the regular 480 system works too, what is the difference between the 480R and 480 roof racks?)
ORS Crew answers - Both the Thule 480 and 480R systems will work superbly as 2007 Ford F250 4-door crew cab pickup truck roof racks. They are exactly the same except that the 480 uses the traditional square Thule load bars bars (the LB65 65" bars are recommended for the '07 Ford F-250), while the 480R uses the aerodynamic and ultra-quiet AeroBlade bars (the ARB60 60" bars are recommended for the '07 Ford F-250). Both systems use the Thule 1508 Traverse Fit Kit.
Product Videos
Thule Racks AeroBlade Official Introduction Video
PLEASE NOTE: This video was produced prior to the release of AeroBlade bars and includes the older model Rapid Aero bars in the installation. However, the AeroBlade load bars are similarly installed, only easier!
Thule 480R Rapid Traverse roof rack review video & demo by ORS Racks Direct. Demonstration movie of the Thule Racks 480R Rapid Traverse system, the revolutionary new premium multi-purpose base rack for vehicles that currently have nothing on the rooftop (i.e. no rain gutters, no factory rack or factory siderails, no roof tracks, no fixed attachment points etc.) Includes Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack, set of Traverse Fit Kit clips (specific to your vehicle) and a pair of Rapid Aero load bars. Much easier to install than the previous Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero car rack system. Delivers a more premium modern, aerodynamic and integrated look over the standard 480 Traverse system with square load bars. Each Traverse Fit Kit clip easily slides into position on each 480 Rapid Traverse Foot. Includes easy-to-follow instructions and the measurements required for the perfect fit on your specific vehicle. Tightening to roof rack couldn't be easier, as each 480 Rapid Traverse Foot includes a handy torque wrench that indicates when it is perfectly tightened. All Thule gear carriers (and carriers from other car rack companies) will then mount to the Rapid Aero bars.
|
Customer Installation Pictures
Proud current customer with ORS Racks Direct? |
» all Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Customer Install Pics
 | ||
2007 Acura TL Roof Rack for Carrying Surfboards using Thule 480R Rapid Traverse & 1544 Fit Kit | | |
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| 2009 Toyota Corolla Roof Rack using Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Car Rack with 1515 Fit Kit | |
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
|
Accessories
| ||
All Thule Locks for Car Racks - Including Bike Ski Snowboard Kayak Canoe Locks etc. | | Thule Fairings - Roof Fairings for Thule Car Racks |
| ||
2012 Thule 487 Traverse Short Roof Adapter Kit - Component for Use With the 480 Traverse / 480R Rapid Traverse Roof Racks | | All Thule Car & Truck Rack Xadapts - Adapters for Connecting Certain Thule Gear Carriers to Thule AeroBlade, Rapid Aero, Whispbar Racks, Thule Pro Series, TracRac & Xsporter Truck Racks |
| ||
Thule Roof Rack Accessories - 2012 Thule 232 Step Up Wheel Step | | Thule CrossOver Luggage Series - Luggage, BackPacks, Duffel Bags, Messenger Bags, MacBook Sleeves etc. |
Thule Spare Parts & Replacement Parts for All Thule Racks |
ORDERING NOTES
To ensure you receive the correct AeroBlade load bars length & proper Thule Traverse Fit Kit brackets to work with the 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack, in our "order check out" area we will get all your vehicle year/make/model info.
The AeroBlade load bars are offered in four sizes for optimal fit on any vehicle (we highly recommend using our Thule Racks Fit Guide, see above or below, to determine proper AeroBlade crossbars length for your specific vehicle.)
Four pack of Thule Racks One Key System lock cylinders (not included; see accessory add-ons above) is recommended for locking rack to vehicle.
Virtually all Thule roof mount gear carriers attach directly to the Aero Blade crossbars or using the Thule Xadapt Kit adapters. Please click the link below to view compatibility specifications of the most popular Thule sports gear carriers when used on Thule AeroBlade bars:
» complete Thule gear carrier compatibility chart
also available:
Thule 480 Traverse roof rack w/ square bars
(uses classic square load bars instead of AeroBlade load bars)
QUICK ORDERING SOLUTION
Alternatively, we suggest using our easy Thule Racks automated fit guide to quickly determine & order the correct multi-purpose base roof rack system and/or gear carrier attachments for your specific vehicle year/make/model:
*please note: Thule Racks fit guide does not always show all compatible options. Please contact us with any additional compatibility questions.
