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Yep - must admit I've never used any other brand RWC on a D4 so have had no opportunity to compare - but neither SWMBO nor myself have ever had any problem locking / unlocking the latch on mine. [wink11]Quote:
Originally Posted by Tombie
I have been known to drive off without locking the latch a couple of times though. The gas strut will generally hold the wheel in the "closed" position, until you go round a sharp corner. [bigwhistle]
I went to order the Frontrunner carrier today but the guy at OL started steering me to the outback accessories saying the latch mech on the FR had been an issue for him on previous installs. He hasn't done one for 3 years though so not sure if design has changed. The outback one obscures lights so you have to wire in some lights that come with and look a bit ordinary as flagged.
Has anyone with the FR one had any issues with their latch and do they wish it had a gas strut?
I wonder if OL makes more profit on the Outback then the FR ones?
I know someone who had OL fit a carrier to his D4 and it hung backwards from the vehicle instead of being upright. Apparently it was fixed by being shimmed (does that mean bodged?) to correct it but I personally wouldn't be too pleased at that having to be done on something that expensive. Maybe the jigs used during assembly in Thailand (or elsewhere in Asia) weren't good enough and allowed the bottom bracket to be welded at the wrong angle, I don't know but it's not good enough.
It's not as if the RWC was any cheaper than a quality item made in Oz like those from Rijidij.
That's what I personally will be going for.
AlanH.
I have a FR one and the latch works fine if it's aligned correctly in the first place. Mine worked its way loose after the original install (not done by me) and I put it down to lack of loctite. So I removed and reinstalled the catch plate bolts with loctite and a small shim on one corner. Works fine now.Quote:
Originally Posted by g5k
Mine also has a gas strut and better still it doesn't obscure any lights.
Possibly, I know that OL Darwin sells FR gear at the same price as advertised by FR.Quote:
Originally Posted by DiscoMick
The outback one has the benefit of not impeding as much vision to the rear.
I plan to install myself, did you add the strut or was it an option they offered?Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_squiggle
It came with it. I just assumed it was standard.Quote:
Originally Posted by g5k
Instructions are here and they show the gas strut:
https://dealers.frontrunner.co.za/ge...download=false
Installed over the weekend and all went swimmingly. Not for the faint hearted so if the idea of taking an angle grinder to your D4 is unsettling might be best to outsource the install. Can confirm came with gas strut and striker plate aligned well and catches well without any fiddling. Just got to rivet on the flashing. Thanks to all who provided input.
Not sure I'd stand on it to access roof rack, has anyone confirmed if it can take the weight?
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