Roof Racks for the L494

[simmo1]

Hi Folks,

Just querying what solutions people have looked at for roof racks on the current Sport. I am looking for something that I might use only part time and not for carrying heavy stuff. More like a long ladder from time to time and long things that won't fit in the car. And maybe a roof pod for trips.

The OEM roof rails and cross bars are an incredibly expensive touch. I am not sure about using the chinese roof rail ripoffs that are on ebay. But generally the roof rail system is neat and tidy. Thule make a cross bar system for existing roof rails, which looks ok.

The only other solution that I have seen is:
Vortex 2500 Roof Rack | Rhino-Rack (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products/roof-racks/vortex/vortex-2500-black-2-bar-roof-rack_ja6036)
These sit on a pad that sits on the roof and are then held captive by the clip thingys going under the door seal area. This sytem is quite inexpensive but I am not sure about how they directly sit on the roof sides and what effect that has when you take them off. The retention system to me looks a bit dodgy as well. I am thinking of having say a kayak on them tearing down the highway and the amount of wind pressure trying to tear the whole lot off.

So can anyone offer suggestions of what they have done and how it works for them.

Thanks, Simmo

[Davell]

I have the OEM roof rails with Thule crossbars and fit a roof pod or a mesh basket. This works quite well, no problems so far. The roof rails are expensive but I don't know of an alternative.

[Bails]

Hi Folks,

Just querying what solutions people have looked at for roof racks on the current Sport. I am looking for something that I might use only part time and not for carrying heavy stuff. More like a long ladder from time to time and long things that won't fit in the car. And maybe a roof pod for trips.

The OEM roof rails and cross bars are an incredibly expensive touch. I am not sure about using the chinese roof rail ripoffs that are on ebay. But generally the roof rail system is neat and tidy. Thule make a cross bar system for existing roof rails, which looks ok.

The only other solution that I have seen is:
Vortex 2500 Roof Rack | Rhino-Rack (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products/roof-racks/vortex/vortex-2500-black-2-bar-roof-rack_ja6036)
These sit on a pad that sits on the roof and are then held captive by the clip thingys going under the door seal area. This sytem is quite inexpensive but I am not sure about how they directly sit on the roof sides and what effect that has when you take them off. The retention system to me looks a bit dodgy as well. I am thinking of having say a kayak on them tearing down the highway and the amount of wind pressure trying to tear the whole lot off.

So can anyone offer suggestions of what they have done and how it works for them.

Thanks, Simmo

On another Board these racks are shown by an owner with two kayaks attached. These would be my choice if wanting to carry light loads.

[simmo1]

I see that Rhino now have a roof rail system on the market. Removes part of the original car plastic cover strip from each side with rhino rails then in place. Then the roof rail pads fit to theses rails and cab be slid for and aft to desired position. Reasonably priced as well. I wonder if anyone may have had these installed with a response abt how they work and look. So if any one has taken the plunge on these what are your thoughts?
Cheers Simmo

[peter g]

A friend had 2 bars fitted by Pole Position Geelong, (Gordon Ave). Apparently they remove cover strip, locate fixing points for the roof rails, then drill hole in cover strip and replace. Then direct fix 2 bars to the rail fixing points. I think it cost under $400. May be worth a call to them. They also stock Rhino gear. When I first got my L405 I was hoping to get the pad on roof type from them, they then advised that they wouldn't do that type for the RR due to roof strength issues. I'm not sure if anything has changed in the last year.

[jtmesa]

Just picked up our L494 and have OEM rails and OEM rack.

From previous experience, having bought two rhino roof racks previously, the Rhino 2500 is a solid roof rack. However, the mounting kit is not great for the paint on the edge of the roof (or above the door). After a while sand/grit etc builds up around the rubber mount and the roof rack moves with load. So you can expect some scratches to appear.

The rail is a much better system as you don't have to worry about that.

But reading your opening post, I think it would be OK if you are occasionally using the roof rack.

Taking off the OEM roof rack is a little bit more painful than the rhino, extra 5 mins to remove from the roof.

[race4life]

I am off to the US in a couple of months, would it make any sense to get the OEM roof rails from the US. They are about 900+taxes in the US. I am not going use the racks very often so will be buying the OEM racks at a later stage. But want to get the rails installed either buying direct from the 'stealership' or from the US.

Opinions?

[Gregz]

I am off to the US in a couple of months, would it make any sense to get the OEM roof rails from the US. They are about 900+taxes in the US. I am not going use the racks very often so will be buying the OEM racks at a later stage. But want to get the rails installed either buying direct from the 'stealership' or from the US.

Opinions?

If that price includes the finishers then that is a good price, in oz you'd be looking at $1500+ . The box is long, can you fit it in your luggage allowance [biggrin] ?

I do not have the OEM cross bars, but according to reports they only fit in fixed positions on the rail. The Thule cross bars clamp on and can be positioned wherever you like along the rail.

[race4life]

If that price includes the finishers then that is a good price, in oz you'd be looking at $1500+ . The box is long, can you fit it in your luggage allowance [biggrin] ?

I do not have the OEM cross bars, but according to reports they only fit in fixed positions on the rail. The Thule cross bars clamp on and can be positioned wherever you like along the rail.

ha ha yeah i have platinum one status until the end of the year so should be ok to put in the check in baggage hopefully..

the rails + ditch finishers are 1160 + taxes (6.25%).. i'll negotiate with my dealer and see what he says..

[Gregz]

By the way, expect 2 long boxes . [thumbsupbig]

[twscoot]

I see that Rhino now have a roof rail system on the market. Removes part of the original car plastic cover strip from each side with rhino rails then in place. Then the roof rail pads fit to theses rails and cab be slid for and aft to desired position. Reasonably priced as well. I wonder if anyone may have had these installed with a response abt how they work and look. So if any one has taken the plunge on these what are your thoughts?
Cheers Simmo
Hi All. New to the forum and first post.
I collect my RRS next week (MY17 TD6SE - With no rails). Wondering if anyone has used the Rhino installed track solution and if you have any photos. I want to carry three bikes (one is a tandem) so this seems like a pretty solid solution.
Cheers. TIA. Andrew

[Gregz]

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that the side cover strip on one of my roof rails had fallen off. (don't know where, don't know when) They did not seem to have a great mechanism for staying on in the first place, and I am really not surprised one came off in the end. I have now taken the other one off as well as a precaution. Rather than replacing the side covers, I will probably take to the brackets with some black paint / texta to make them less obvious.
Just mentioning this in case you have the roof rails, you might want to check if the side covers are coming off.

[p38arover]

Why not use the Sport's threaded inserts under the cover strip to mount the bars.

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpv66AwFHeE)

That's what I did on my L322 to mount Rhino bars and a Pioneer Platform (Rhino say it can't be done).

See my posts here: https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l322-range-rover/211448-l322-roof-tray.html#post2509752

[Gregz]

Thanks Ron,
I want the ability to have the cross bars (Thule) at different positions for different loads. Other than the side covers falling off, the rails work fine. I normally have the cross bars off, then can put them on quickly when I want.
...Greg

[dbm750]

Hi Guys,

First Post / Reply. Excuse if I don't get it right.

Just put deposit on an MY14 RRS AB SDV6, so checking the Forum for tips

Peter G mentioned above about a friends fixed bars.

I currently have Whispbars on my MY08 BMW 530i Touring, most for carrying bikes, but also for the occasional trip to Bunnings, and find them to be great bars; strong, sleek and very quiet. I looked to the Whispbar site for the RRS. They have a direct fit option that does not require rails and does not have the metal clamps that Rhino have. You can fit 2 or 3 bars but can not slide the bars forward or back once fitted. They screw into the pre-threaded holes for the rails. There a 3 bar style options. For me it will be the look thing. With 2 bars, they recommend on forward and one centre. No symmetry. Just Saying.

Range Rover Sport Roof Racks & Accessories | Whispbar (http://www.whispbar.com.au/browsebyvehicle/make/landrover/id/100334/model/112367'model=Range%20Rover%20Sport)

The price is around $400 for two bars and mounts, so you could fit 3 ($600) bars to cater for different sized options, if that works for you. I have both Whisbar and Thule Bike Carriers fitted, so they are universal channels. I may go this option, however the other option for me to save money is to have the rails and trim plates sea shipped from the US.

I think Yakima now own Whispbar, also known as Prorack. For the record I have no affiliation with Whispbar, Prorack or Yakima. Just long time user last 2 vehicles.

[Disco4SE]

I have used these on all my vehicles Flush Bar - The Seamless Look Roof Rack | Whispbar (http://www.whispbar.com.au/products/4/flush-bar)
However, the wife tells me that I am not allowed to put them on the Rangie 😁

Cheers, Craig

[Desert Traveller]

First post in RRS section.
Fitted Rhino JA9171 tracks and cross bars. The tracks are pre-drilled and match to the 5 RRS mounting points. All for under $600.
Some wind noise above 100kph. They are easy to remove when not needed.

[georgien]

For those who want to have a ladder roof rack, best solution is to use RRS threaded inserts under the cover strip to mount the bars and fit the rack directly onto. FrontRunner has the right kit. I did it on my MY17 RRS, it is rock solid for loading and overlanding.

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