Thread: Third Roof Cross Bar on Lower Section of Roof

We have three Rhino aero bars fitted with two on the high section and one on the low side. This gives us the following; an opportunity to fit a wire basket that holds around 90% of our average touring needs and a 2.1m wire mesh platform that holds, spare tyre, JC and space case when we are doing a Simpson crossing for example. Roof Rack City Adelaide fitted the rails and twin screw clamping bases per your second photo as we reckon that spreads the load more evenly on the roof and offers two points of contact with the rails so is less of a point load

Rob

Hi Eddomak.

If you do get the part number I would certainly like to be informed as I like the idea of the additional third roof rack bar with the single screw mount. I mainly want it for added security with long stuff on the roof - lengths of timber for example so a single screw should be quite sufficient. BTW, where did you get the plugs from? Could do with some as well. The dealer originally had to scavenge some to go into the holes left after they installed the rails.

Thanks for going to the trouble of posting this - appreciated

Regards,
Martin

Originally Posted by letherm

Hi Eddomak.
If you do get the part number I would certainly like to be informed as I like the idea of the additional third roof rack bar with the single screw mount.

The part numbers are:
RLT506 - Track Leg Kit
VA137B - VA BAR BLACK 1375mm
VA-FK2 - VA Bar Fit Kit for RLCP Legs

I mainly want it for added security with long stuff on the roof - lengths of timber for example so a single screw should be quite sufficient.

I agree. In the end the long rails are also mounted via that single screw point anyway. The weight goes through the pads (and screw) to the roof, but it is still the same amount of shear force in the end.

BTW, where did you get the plugs from? Could do with some as well. The dealer originally had to scavenge some to go into the holes left after they installed the rails.

When I get some I'll let you know.

Thanks for going to the trouble of posting this - appreciated

No worries! I thought I should post it up anyway as it sounds like a moderately simple solution for those times you just need that extra length. I started this search because my new OzTent was so long that it would drape onto the roof, and it seemed getting the Rhino long narrow wire mesh basket would be both expensive and add another 20kgs to the roof as well as taking even more time to fix onto the roof racks each time I wanted to use it. I found the rear bars alone fine for 90% of what I do, and don't like the look of having 3 bars there all the time.

Hi eddomak,

I also have the 3 bars as RobA and would be interested to know how you are getting the extra height with the single screw leg to ensure the 3 bars are level, which you will need to for the Oztent. The RLTF (2 screw) are designed to take the height spacers but can't see how you can use these on the single screw leg?

Colin

Colin well spotted. Yes one more reason why we use the twin bolt setup. We have the Rhino spacers in the front bar to keep it all level and it works perfectly. If you carry any real weight up there the platform/tray has to be level or or it will create enough torsional force to rip it all out. Seen this happen with overloaded racks in the Simpson almost every trip

Rob

OK, with all the interest, I got it fitted this morning, and here it is, in all its glory.

The leg style was a little different from the original picture, but was indeed the one listed in the parts list they gave me. Also I decided to go with a shorter bar than the original quote as it is closer to the bar length that I already had - I would not have needed the extra 11cm. This also happened to bring the cost down to $172.50 fully installed.

Final parts list:

• RLT506 - Track Leg Kit 2 ($92)
• VA126B - VA Bar Black 1260mm ($74.50)
• VA-FK2 - VA Bar Fit Kit for RLCP Legs ($6.00)
• M6 x 50mm Bolts x 2 (complimentary)

As you can see, it is totally level with the existing rear RST legs on the track.




A close up on the legs and spacers


And just the spacers...


You will need M5 x 50mm stainless steel screws


... which are longer than the screws supplied with the Rhino legs


The original plastic plug (10mm) which unscrews, and the factory M5 threaded hole.


I was concerned whether the front of my Thule top box would be lower than the new front bar and bump into it, but no problems - with plenty of clearance, so if you have a longer box it is probably OK as well.





Plenty of room for both the top box and the OzTent.





So I hope this helps out someone.

Once again Roof Rack World Artarmon were great (talk to Paul) and really liked this solution and took some pictures. They took less than an hour, and would have taken less if I hadn't asked them to change over from the longer bars (that Rhino recommended) to the shorter ones.

Hi Eddomak

Thanks for all of the pictures etc. Brilliant

Looks like a trip to Artarmon is in order.

Regards,
Martin

Are you sure they are not M6? On my d4 they certainly are.