Thread: Fitting Rhino tracks and Expedition Rack

I have these.
Saw there was drilling involved.
Got Rhino dealer to install - $100 or so.
Covered by warranty then........I hope.
To date, they've been very accommodating with warranty issues - on to my 4th set of front rails due to orange discoloration. They've powder coated a set this last time. Just for me.

So Ron.
Its the CROSS bars you have painted???
Seems to be lots of confusion as to what is a rail and what is a bar.Even when talking to shops that sell them.
I don't have the cross bars,looking to fit my Expedition rack to the Rhino rails.
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

I bought a set of new Rhino roof rails yesterday.
Just been reading the fitting instructions.
They mention a "drip check" in the rear of the roof channels that must be removed,then primed.Im guessing its some sort of sikaflex,correct???
They go on to mention when the roof rails are installed mastic is to be put under the rear of the rails.I can use sikaflex here,correct???
NEXT BIT,I DONT LIKE.If any cross bar or large platform is to be fitted,drill a 5mm hole on the roof and secure the track.I will be fitting a spare wheel at the rear of the rack so I guess this is mandatory???

Last of all.Im not going to fit a front leg on the expedition rack.Not 100% happy with the rack so I intend replacing it with a platform later.Im thinking of running a 40x40x5mm aluminium angle along the underside of the expedition rack,it will be unseen.As long as I don't carry the spare or a freshly shot moose up the front the angle re-inforcement should be OK,correct????
I have 8x8mm x25mm Rhino T bolts to secure the reinforcer to the rack and rails.
Thoughts please.
Andrew

I just used silicon at the rear of the rails Andrew. I also did not rivet the rear of the track as I placed my rearmost legs adjacent to the rear screw. I figured there would be no uplift risk at the rear of the rails so didn't install the rivet.

Originally Posted by cjc_td5

I just used silicon at the rear of the rails Andrew. I also did not rivet the rear of the track as I placed my rearmost legs adjacent to the rear screw. I figured there would be no uplift risk at the rear of the rails so didn't install the rivet.

So if I have a Rhino T bolt either side of the last roof mount I should be ok.
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Im not going to fit a front leg on the expedition rack.Not 100% happy with the rack so I intend replacing it with a platform later.Im thinking of running a 40x40x5mm aluminium angle along the underside of the expedition rack,it will be unseen.
I have 8x8mm x25mm Rhino T bolts to secure the reinforcer to the rack and rails.

Do I have this correct Andrew? May have misunderstood your idea.

The rack will protrude forward over the lower roof without any direct vertical support that normally comes from the front legs.
Instead, support will be from a cantilevered strengthening member (the 40x40 angle), which will sit horizontally out under the rack.
You then won't actually store anything in the front section of the rack.

This would put stress on the rack and the Rhino track/rails due to uplift and flexing in the rack from the cantilever effect that it's not designed for.
It may well be plenty strong enough but it's a risk I wouldn't take. I'd probably look at fabricating something to pick up the front mounting points in the lower roof, although that may be easier said than done.

Scott

As per Scott...

If you aren't going to support the front - don't fit the rack full stop..

Cantilever effect is one thing.. resonance and vibration are another and will do serious damage.

Everything that vibrates on endless corrugations dies!!!

I appreciate everyones thoughts.
Was ready to ditch the rack,need it for a Xmas holiday camping/fishing trip
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

So Ron.
Its the CROSS bars you have painted???
Seems to be lots of confusion as to what is a rail and what is a bar.Even when talking to shops that sell them.
I don't have the cross bars,looking to fit my Expedition rack to the Rhino rails.
Andrew

No mate.
The rails are mounted along the roof either side.
The bars are across the roof, mounted on the rails.

Seems there was a bad batch of rails which discolored with uv exposure.
Only the front rails that go on the lower front part of the roof are involved at present.