LOW profile rooftop rack

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

AKentPhoto

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Posts
508
Reaction score
309
Location
New Orleans
What are the dimensions and weight of this rack? Is it a pain to take it off since it’s mounted in place of the factory rails?

Those tend to be install and leave... Not a on and off type of deal. The trade off is a much stronger platform...
 

AKentPhoto

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Posts
508
Reaction score
309
Location
New Orleans
@PHIL NOWASKI
Do you have a write-up on how they did the install? Did the reuse the factory holes or make new ones? Props to you for being one of the first!
 

ExplorerTom

Full Access Members
Joined
Apr 2, 2015
Posts
2,287
Reaction score
1,039
Location
Colorado
Eezi-Awn platform rack from equipt1.com. 3rd vehicle this exact rack has been installed on.

On my white 3rd gen, I’ve got it installed as high as it will go because when it was insatlled on my black 1st gen, it was a pain to get straps fed underneath it.

CC34B6B8-E90A-45E3-A9E1-8901C907B53E.jpeg

6164CF26-E179-4605-8C9C-93CDF2EDE89F.jpeg

63446283-426E-4B5F-B38B-F2CCD67059F1.jpeg

13C89FE3-B1C7-4A91-8A79-147309CF12E9.jpeg
 

Lou Hamilton

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Posts
939
Reaction score
640
Location
Maryland
I would like to find a rack that uses the stock connections for the cross bars and doesn't extend higher than the crossbars do. I often go into parking garages and 6'8" is the current lowest height that I am willing to attempt. Anything posted lower, I move on. I have not tested, but I probably have a 6'7" stance with the crossbars today.
 

AKentPhoto

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Posts
508
Reaction score
309
Location
New Orleans
I would like to find a rack that uses the stock connections for the cross bars and doesn't extend higher than the crossbars do.

Going to have to go custom...
First you need to find a rack that fits very close to the width between the factory rack rails. Then get some custom tabs made out of plate. Any fabricator should be able to do it.
 

3DogRanch

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2019
Posts
38
Reaction score
13
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
I have the Rhino Rack. In this picture it is mounted to the factory rails and has a very close fit to the roof and rails. It would flex and make some noise. I live in Utah and we get some snow and I don’t drive this everyday so the snow would build up under the rack. You can’t get anything in the gap to clean it out. Over a few freeze thaw cycles I had big chunks of ice under the rack that I couldn’t get out. I ended up putting Yakima HD cross bars on it that raised it 4”. Doesn’t look as good, but there is room to clear the snow, room for my awning not to touch the cab and the wind noise was greatly reduced.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


@Fozzy,
I really like this setup you've got and would love to know how you wired your accessory lighting and any other tips and tricks you found while getting this setup.

Thanks,
3Dog
 

carymccarr

Full Access Members
Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Posts
1,749
Reaction score
390
Location
Earth
8e76002f1eb34ecbe47a02a77c54f348.jpg

I have the Rhino Rack. In this picture it is mounted to the factory rails and has a very close fit to the roof and rails. It would flex and make some noise. I live in Utah and we get some snow and I don’t drive this everyday so the snow would build up under the rack. You can’t get anything in the gap to clean it out. Over a few freeze thaw cycles I had big chunks of ice under the rack that I couldn’t get out. I ended up putting Yakima HD cross bars on it that raised it 4”. Doesn’t look as good, but there is room to clear the snow, room for my awning not to touch the cab and the wind noise was greatly reduced.
bfcdd6355f9182aa88ce3288f2377463.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

love the look. Are you saying the wind noise went DOWN when you raised it up? Any chance you have a pic of the new setup? Thanks
 

Fozzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Posts
1,199
Reaction score
1,161
Location
Riverton
@Fozzy,
I really like this setup you've got and would love to know how you wired your accessory lighting and any other tips and tricks you found while getting this setup.

Thanks,
3Dog

I am going to do a SwitchPros 8 for the switches. I still have a full sized bar to put on the front of the rack. I will also add a light strip for the awning. I haven’t had time to get it all done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Fozzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Posts
1,199
Reaction score
1,161
Location
Riverton
love the look. Are you saying the wind noise went DOWN when you raised it up? Any chance you have a pic of the new setup? Thanks

Yes, the wind noise decreased substantially after raising the rails. Plus no more snow and ice problems. I don’t have one of the side without the awning, but I will get one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

AKentPhoto

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Posts
508
Reaction score
309
Location
New Orleans
I am going to do a SwitchPros 8 for the switches. I still have a full sized bar to put on the front of the rack. I will also add a light strip for the awning. I haven’t had time to get it all done.

Looking forward to hearing how you like the SwitchPro. Had my eye on that system too. What light bar are you going with? Flat or curved?
 

Fozzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Posts
1,199
Reaction score
1,161
Location
Riverton
Looking forward to hearing how you like the SwitchPro. Had my eye on that system too. What light bar are you going with? Flat or curved?

Switch pros are great. There are cheaper options out there but there is no comparison. I saw a post from SEMA someone is making one with a screen so you can make your own icons or pictures. I’m hiding mine behind the sun visor. I was going to do a KC Gravity Pro 6 but the wind noise was terrible. Looked good though. I have a cheap 50” double row straight I am going to try to see the wind noise level. I don’t want to add anymore noise to the cab. If it checks out I will get a Rigid to match the rest of my lights. If not I will put one in the grill like Deadman. A-Pillar lights, rear lights, awning and Maxtrax did not add anymore noise. 9 big round lights was to much noise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Fozzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Posts
1,199
Reaction score
1,161
Location
Riverton
Looking forward to hearing how you like the SwitchPro. Had my eye on that system too. What light bar are you going with? Flat or curved?

Switch pros are great. There are cheaper options out there but there is no comparison. I saw a post from SEMA someone is making one with a screen so you can make your own icons or pictures. I’m hiding mine behind the sun visor. I was going to do a KC Gravity Pro 6 but the wind noise was terrible. Looked good though. I have a cheap 50” double row straight I am going to try to see the wind noise level. I don’t want to add anymore noise to the cab. If it checks out I will get a Rigid to match the rest of my lights. If not I will put one in the grill like Deadman. A-Pillar lights, rear lights, awning and Maxtrax did not add anymore noise. 9 big round lights was to much noise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

AKentPhoto

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Posts
508
Reaction score
309
Location
New Orleans
The screen might look cool but I'd rather have the tactile feel of individual buttons. I don't want to have to stare at a screen to flash to pass etc. Are you going to wire any of them into the hi beam? I'm hoping to have mine setup on the hibeam then use the switch to override full time. Pretty easy to do with an extra relay if the SwitchPro can't do it on its own.

I hear you on the KC Pros... I have my LightForce HID 240s left over from my Raptor. One day I want to come up with a removable solution but I have a lot of other fish to fry first. I'd honestly try to mount a quality bar in the bumper before adding to the roof. No matter what you put up there it's going to add noise. A curved bar might save some wind noise but either way you are going to hear it. Looking forward to what you come up with!
 

AKentPhoto

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Posts
508
Reaction score
309
Location
New Orleans
I just got some pictures of the company I work for's camera car we are building. This is the best way to get an extremely strong low profile rack but it's not going to be easy or cheap.

And since the cool thing to do here at the moment is humble brag about Cayenne Turbos... Here goes... :Big Laugh:

Screenshot_20200309-115815_Instagram.jpg
 

Lugnut

Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Posts
24
Reaction score
18
Location
NJ/VT
I went with the Rhino Rack Vortex Stealth Bars for my long body FX4. I had initially ordered a pair of the RSB06B bars based on the fitment guide on etrailers.com, however the front bar was just really at the maximum width when I installed it, and I didnt feel comfortable with putting weight on that cross bar. So I ordered a single RSB07B, and I have all 3 cross bars on there now. So far it has been great, and there is no appreciable wind noise increase when running it bars only, even over the century mark. I've used it with my Thule Xt XL box just fine, and am currently cross shopping cargo baskets so I can tie down some camping bins & rotopax/ jerry cans.

IMG-0042.jpg

IMG-0042.jpg

IMG-0043.jpg
 
Last edited:

Artie

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 24, 2017
Posts
1,870
Reaction score
1,036
Location
Georgia
I went with the Rhino Rack Vortex Stealth Bars for my long body FX4. I had initially ordered a pair of the RSB06B bars based on the fitment guide on etrailers.com, however the front bar was just really at the maximum width when I installed it, and I didnt feel comfortable with putting weight on that cross bar. So I ordered a single RSB07B, and I have all 3 cross bars on there now. So far it has been great, and there is no appreciable wind noise increase when running it bars only, even over the century mark. I've used it with my Thule Xt XL box just fine, and am currently cross shopping cargo baskets so I can tie down some camping bins & rotopax/ jerry cans.

View attachment 34881

View attachment 34882

View attachment 34883
Why a cargo basket over a platform? I’m in the research stages of buying crossbars and platform now and I’m just curious about your choice. I’m leaning towards the Yakima platform and their HD rails but I’m always open to new options to explore.
 

Lugnut

Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Posts
24
Reaction score
18
Location
NJ/VT
Honestly----i had no idea that Yakima made a platform until you just mentioned it. My personal issue with platforms as opposed to the traditional cargo baskets was simply the need to purchase additional side rails. Looking into the Yakima LockNLoad now it looks pretty good. Sounds like a yakima platform w/ side rails and clamps for my bars would run about $1k
 

Fozzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Posts
1,199
Reaction score
1,161
Location
Riverton
Lugnut

They said I could use three of the lighter duty rails and get a lower hight or two HD rails. I may never put a tent on top but you never know.

Artie, Lugnut

The Yakima rack has the same channel size as the Rhino Rack for the accessories. The Yakima slates run the the opposite way as the Rhino. Some report it’s has more wind noise but a lot of reviews says it’s the best platform for the money. The platform is the way to go. You can add side rails all the way around if needed. Tons of accessories and room for rocket boxes, lumber, whatever you want. I put two Milwaukee Packout bases on mine with the Maxtraks brackets and still have room for a box or bag.
9e3850b4a3d2b8c57fb62ef17b30bde2.jpg
9e2b5480fa21ec357711e01b48e80787.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Artie

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 24, 2017
Posts
1,870
Reaction score
1,036
Location
Georgia
Lugnut

They said I could use three of the lighter duty rails and get a lower hight or two HD rails. I may never put a tent on top but you never know.

Artie, Lugnut

The Yakima rack has the same channel size as the Rhino Rack for the accessories. The Yakima slates run the the opposite way as the Rhino. Some report it’s has more wind noise but a lot of reviews says it’s the best platform for the money. The platform is the way to go. You can add side rails all the way around if needed. Tons of accessories and room for rocket boxes, lumber, whatever you want. I put two Milwaukee Packout bases on mine with the Maxtraks brackets and still have room for a box or bag.
9e3850b4a3d2b8c57fb62ef17b30bde2.jpg
9e2b5480fa21ec357711e01b48e80787.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
To me the horizontal cross bar layout on the Yakima makes more sense for placing gear than the verticals on the rhino platform. Now with your news of the rhino accessories fitting the Yakima rack I think the Yakima is what will work best for my needs.

how can you have a RTT when the weight limit on our trucks roof rack is 165? Or am I mistaken with that number?

Killer set up BTW and thanks for the deets!
 
Top