Thule Evo Raised Rail Roof Rack Installation on a 2026 Hyundai Palisade
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a full-size family SUV that is extremely popular with Calgary and Edmonton drivers heading to the mountains, hockey tournaments, and weekend camping trips across Alberta. With factory raised roof rails, it is rack-ready with the correct components designed specifically for this roof style.
For this installation, our team set up a Thule Evo Raised Rail system paired with Thule WingBar Evo load bars in black. The result is a clean, strong base rack ready for cargo boxes, bikes, skis, and four-season Alberta adventures.
Clean, Secure Fit on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade
The 2026 Palisade features factory raised side rails that run front to back along the roof. This style allows for a straightforward and secure clamping connection using a raised rail foot pack.
The Thule Evo Raised Rail Foot Pack wraps securely around the factory rails, while the aerodynamic WingBar Evo crossbars provide excellent wind performance and accessory compatibility. Once installed, the bars sit level and evenly spaced, delivering a near-factory look with the strength expected from Thule.
What We Installed on This 2026 Hyundai Palisade
Why This Rack Setup Works for Calgary Drivers
- Direct fit for factory raised rails - no drilling required
- Aerodynamic bars that reduce wind noise on highway drives to the mountains
- Compatible with Thule cargo boxes, bike racks, ski carriers, and kayak mounts
- Ideal for four-season Alberta use including snow, road salt, and long-distance travel
For families using a roof box for ski trips to Banff or summer road trips through the Rockies, proper bar spacing is critical. This install required careful adjustment to achieve ideal cargo box compatibility.
Important Fit Note: Bar Spread Adjustment for Cargo Box Mounting
This was a walk-in installation and the raised rail system itself went on quickly, taking approximately 30 minutes from start to finish. However, we identified an important spacing detail specific to the 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
When the front bar is placed in the most forward position on the raised rail, the rear bar has two possible mounting positions:
- Front of the center pillar: This places the bars too close together to properly mount a cargo box.
- Outside of the center pillar (rearward position): This creates a 34 inch bar spread, which is too wide for secure cargo box mounting.
To achieve the ideal spread for a roof box, we mounted the rear bar in the second, outside position and then measured and adjusted the front bar to create a 27.5 inch bar spread. This spacing provides optimal cargo box mounting strength and alignment.
This is where professional installation makes the difference. Proper spacing ensures safe load carrying, better weight distribution, and long-term performance.
Professional Installation by Our Calgary Team
Every install at Roof Racks Calgary includes:
- Verification of the correct components for the exact year, make, and model
- Precise bar spread adjustment for accessory compatibility
- Hatch and rear spoiler clearance checks
- Torquing all fasteners to manufacturer specifications
We regularly correct spacing issues from DIY installs or big box store installations where bar placement was not optimized for cargo boxes or ski racks.
Your Local Roof Rack Experts
At Roof Racks Calgary our team actively uses the gear we install. We bike, ski, paddle, and camp throughout Alberta year-round. We understand how winter conditions, wind, and long highway drives affect your rack system, and we build every setup accordingly.
Get Help Choosing the Right Rack System
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Edmonton:
(p) 780-463-4892
(e) edmonton@aqoutdoors.com -
Calgary:
(p) 403-288-9283
(e) info@aqoutdoors.com
