Thread: Platform vs Tray vs Basket

FWIW - I recently had the rhino platform 42107B fitted to my disco with LR short rails. This is a new platform size - also not "recommended" for the D4.
This platform is 2128 x 1236 (narrower than the recommended one - but I think it looks much better).
Recent trip to VHC and v happy with it....

Cheers

I have the long thin wire basket just for the Oztent and shovel.It sits on Rhino HD bars.The basket is very easy to take on and off,only takes a few minutes.I presume a larger basket would also be easy.No wind noise at all,with or without the tent.I also have the foxwing on the racks and fishing rod holders,etc.
With just the HD bars,i have not found a car park that it would not fit in.Some i have had to go to access height to get down low enough.

I was also a bit concerned the set up would come loose on corrugations,but no problems at all,although the tent did end up with a few holes rubbed in it

Nearly ready to order a new TSV6 D4 and thinking of passing on the factory roof rails and going with a Rhino roof track and platform rack.

Only thing that has me worried is the possible need to rivet the back of the Rhino track to the roof. Rhino only recommends this be done if there will be rear feet positioned behind the rear most captive nut in the roof.

From their fitting instructions...

"Riveting is required when a cross bar is to be fitted rearward of the last mounting screw. Accessories which require this attachment are the boat loader and large roof trays."

My question is, are the Pioneer platforms classed as a large tray? For those that have them fitted, are the rear feet positioned behind the rear most captive nuts in the roof, therefore requiring riveting?

It really needs to be riveted for the best strength.I knew i would be going on some very rough roads.
Easy done,just put the right sealant on(in the instructions),did mine myself.
No problems at all.

Originally Posted by jon3950

I have LR rails which they recommend the RLT legs for, but I now use the RLTP legs which make the rack sit lower.

FWIW, I called the Rhino head office in Sydney to get the low-down on installing the non-recommended size this because the retail outlet I called said that the warranty could be voided if you don't follow the recommended guide.

In short Rhino said that the warranty wouldn't be voided by fitting the narrower platform. But you have to fit the right legs.

He said he would not recommend the RLTP legs because they were designed to fit on a slightly angled roofline (7 degrees I think he said) and it would create some stresses if they were fitted in this situation. (There does appear to be an angle shown in the fitting instruction PDF)

Instead he recommended to get the RLT500 legs and to also purchase 2 PLHSPAIRS . Which are spacers that allow the legs to slide out wider when the tray is narrow.

If you are not worried about warranty you can fit the RLTP legs either using the little wedges that used to come with them or spend a little time filing the outer edges so that the top fixing surfaces are in line across the vehicle rather than pointing down to the roof.

Instead he recommended to get the RLT500 legs and to also purchase 2 PLHSPAIRS . Which are spacers that allow the legs to slide out wider when the tray is narrow.[/QUOTE]

Interesting...As mentioned above I have the LR short rails, platform 42107B fitted with

RTLF - rhino HD track legs 80mm
RTS502F -track set for disco (front tracks)
LHS2PAIR - leg height spacer
PLHSPAIR - tray spacers
RLTP - low mount leg set

All seems good. I don't have a sun roof, which is another issue I've read about on the forum and stresses from not fitting the correct roof equipment.
Without further sidetracking the thread - It's an interesting issue about the warranty though, if a installer / rhino dealer fits the products and they fail......as far as I'm concerned they must make good. Anyway, no problems with mine so far :-)

The little wedges make them sit pretty flat. You can certainly tighten them down onto the rails. Also the RLTP legs are straight longitudinally while the rails have a slight curvature. This all puts a little bit of tension into the legs when you tighten them up. Its very slight and personally I see it as a good thing as it helps keep the connections tight.

The recommended RLT leg has a radiused joint in them to adjust for all the misalignment. A good idea in theory but I found I couldn't tighten them up enough and they kept coming loose on rough roads. Also the button head screws Rhino provide are cheap and nasty and the sockets on them give way when you put any tension on them. I replaced mine with stainless hex head screws.

The other thing I like about the RLTP is its held down by 2 screws whereas the RLT is only held down by one.

I understand why Rhino recommend the RLT legs. They are a better fit and they are probably fine for normal road use. They just didn't work for me. I've had the RLTP legs on for about 10 months and so far they have been fine.

You don't need the spacers for the narrower rack using either leg.

Cheers,
Jon