2009 Ford Flex Thule Roof Rack

I really wish our Flex had come with two factory options, one is the factory tow package and the other is the roof rails. I have added both aftermarket, but they are never as good as the OEM solution.

For the roof rack I had two options, the first was to buy the factory roof rails and aftermarket load bars then install it myself. I would have gone this route but it has some major downsides, they are cost ($800) and installation difficulty (drill holes in roof, drop headliner, replace rain gutters, etc.). Really if it wasn’t for the cost I would have gone that route and maybe I still will.

The second option is the newly released Thule fit kit for the Ford Flex. The main drawbacks of the Thule system are the wind noise (very noticeable at freeway speeds), and the install location (in the front area of the roof vs. the rear area of the roof for the factory rails). The Thule solution is what I am showing here and I have included install pictures and the related install instructions below. Now I just wish someone would do the same thing for installing the factory roof rails, or sell me a set of factory rails so I can do a writeup :-)

Costs:

Fit Kit (REI): $70

Towers and Cross bars (craigslist): $40

Bike rack (craigslist): $65

Files:

2204 Ford Flex Fit Kit Instructions: 2204_Fit_Kit.pdf