FL2 Roof Racks options

[Alex1111]

Hi all

Planning my Christmas trip and looking to get some roof racks.

My FL2 came fitted the with OEM rails but did not include the roof racks (even tho there is one cross bar at the back connecting the rails). I was just wondering what roof bars are required? I linked a pair that BCF sell that i thought could work. Prorack Roof Rack - X Bar, 1200mm - BCF (http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Prorack-Roof-Rack-X-Bar-1200mm.aspx?pid=102096&menuFrom=571668#Cross)

any feedback would be great.

Thanks

[mikehzz]

The only ones available when I did mine were the Thule. I chose the aero bar and took the crossbar off the back. Mine have been on at least 2 years and I don't even know they are up there. I also have a light roof tent that sits on them no problem. Before that I had the racks that sit on pedestals and they were noisy by comparison.

[aleks]

Hi Alex,

Sorry just subscribed so perhaps this is too late.

I did the rounds on this recently and I would recommend the Whispbar S54 cross bars Whispbar S54 Roof Racks Sydney (http://www.shop1auto.com.au/Roof_Rack_Models/BUYONLINE/Whispbar-Lowprofile-Rail/S54-BUYONLINE.html)

Quiet and low profile which suit the car really well.

I originally had the door frame mounted whispbar on my FL2 and they were silent, well built and looked great. I would highly recommend these for those who don't have rails, if you don't have to carry anything long and don't mind your door rubbers getting a little squashed!

Due to a very large Kayak, I had to remove my these units and install rails to get enough separation. I installed these rails which are a copy of the genuine ones you have (Land Rover Freelander 2 2006 Present Roof Rails Plus 1 Cross BAR Complete SET | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-Freelander-2-2006-present-Roof-rails-Plus-1-Cross-bar-Complete-set-/290884219080?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AFreelander%202&hash=item43ba0cf0c8&_uhb=1)). You do not need the rails obviously but for other readers I would have to say these were great value and so far so good for $300.

The seller also offered a Thule equivalent for cross bars, but these were pretty cheap and nasty and whistle profusely so will certainly be swapped out for the Whispbar S54 units mentioned above as soon as I can. Unfortunately at the moment the diff is making enough noise to mask out the whistle so will get that fixed first....

[BushCapital]

Hi all,

This is another 'late' reply however hopefully this might add to the corporate knowledge...?

I have the OEM rails (and OEM crossbar that comes with the rails) fitted on my Freelander 2 together with Thule aero crossbars and 2 x Thule bike racks and 1 x Thule kayak cradle. I've often had all three loaded up and haven't had any issues...apart from an ever-present fear that I was going to forget about the hardware and drive in to the garage.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/02/561.jpg (http://s161.photobucket.com/user/BushCapital/media/Vehicle_Freelander%202/IMG_1720_zps956ed6c1.jpg.html)

The key to eliminating whistling etc is to follow the manufacturers instructions re set back for the cross bars. Even micro-adjustments can eliminate a rogue whistle (eg: my empty kayak cradles whistle if they are not in a 'v').

Hope this is of some use?

[caroanbill]

Also running the "unofficial" rails with Thule Aero bars.

I'd say the non-OEM rails are in fact from the same factory (there'd be no profit in copying them from scratch), but come out the back door without LandRover quality assurance.

Thanks to good advice from here and Freel2.com, I immediately sutck down the covers with black silicone (the stuff for sealing windscreens etc) and that has fixed the loose cover problem.

Thule Aero works fine but does whine a lot on these rails - more so that with my last car. the trick is to make sure the fixing channel is fully covered with the rubber strip - but extra and cut to fit in your various configuations.

Since I can now use much wider bars - 1500mm over the 1200mm I have now - I think I'll convert to Thule Wingbar. It's apparently much quieter and less drag, so possible to leave the racks on more or less permanently. that is, wher I have clearance: the FR2 with kayak racks will hit my local supermarket carpark roof.

[nostromo]

Thanks for good information and pics.
I want to know what the maximum distance is between crossbars (front to back, not the distance between the roof rails).
Wanting to install LR006608 - Raised roof rail and cross brace kit- and then use bars of 1800mm.

Can anyone tell us the front to back distance between crossbars, please?

[SrMoure]

Anyone knows where I could get roof rails for a Freelander 2. Ideally, I'm looking for a place which sells and fits them in Sydney. Not interested on the crossbars right now. The dealership wanted to charge me $2,000

Thanks !!

[Fardrive]

Whispbar now supply the track mounts for FL2 Model K631.
Just go to the Whispbar site and select your vehicle and year.
Price on site is $59 for the mounts and depending on which bar you want around $300 for the cross bars.

[Alant444]

Not totally relevant, I am a Whispbar fan. After 2 years use I would recommend. I just have bars without rails.

[Lightwater]

Was told approximately $1700 locally. I bought rails and bars from different suppliers in the UK. Even with the freight it was a fraction of the price.

I had all the tools. The only thing to buy was Sikaflex Auto polyurethane car sealer at Bunnings. Unfortunately only needing 1% of a 310ml tube!

I also first painted with some cold galvanised paint to protect the steel even though it was going to be recovered with new fittings.

Attach the single cross brace about 2 screw turns from fully tight first (the 4 screws, 2 each side). Put some old towels on the car roof and then lower the whole assembly into position.

Trying to do the 4 screws on the cross section after is a real pain in the neck unless you have a long allen key flexible drive.

I didn't have quite the right size hole saw so enlarged the hole with a scalpel.

It was not that difficult to install the rails. Just take your time. Buy the socket spanner and drives if you don't have them. It is not worth slipping and damaging the roof for the sake of a few dollars.

I was also debating about getting the Thule bars but ended up getting the LR roof bars for about the same price including freight within a week. They are slightly curved so this maybe an issue for some purposes.