What should I use my roof rack for?

[jastevenson]

So the Expedition I bought came with the roof rack and cross bars. I didn't want them but that was what was on the lot.

Maybe a dumb question, but what are they useful for? I've never owned a vehicle with a roof rack. Is it just for roof carriers? I don't really need that much storage space. Anything else?

 

[AKentPhoto]

Bikes? Skis? Boats? Spare tire to create room for things under the truck? Roof Top Tent?

Options are just about endless...

 

[Artie]

You can put lots of things up there but if you don’t use them often I’d recommend taking them off if you’re a MPG watcher.

 

[Artie]

 

[spiderman865]

I took the cross bars off mine and it gives it a much cleaner look.

 

[Fozzy]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bushpilot]

I took the cross bars off mine and it gives it a much cleaner look.

ditto!
If ford made some caps to cover the holes etc, I'd remove the rails from ours too...im never gonna use it!

 

[wakeboarder]

ditto!
If ford made some caps to cover the holes etc, I'd remove the rails from ours too...im never gonna use it!

I removed the rails and put the screws back in place. I’m sure you could buy the same screws as what is in place for the center rail.

 

[wakeboarder]

I think these are the actual caps.

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/cap-6460749-1#sectionId:4195851

 

[29twonine]

I'll buy them from you!!

 

[gbobcat]

I normally keep the crossbars off in order to reduce wind noise and maybe improve MPG. I used them when we moved interstate and they worked great for my Yakima Skybox 16.

 

[Gumby]

I normally keep the crossbars off in order to reduce wind noise and maybe improve MPG. I used them when we moved interstate and they worked great for my Yakima Skybox 16.
View attachment 35912

Same.

My Plati didn't come with the cross bars, so I bought them at the dealer (for OE look). I keep the bars off in the summer for a cleaner look and (hopefully) better MPG - lol. In the winter they go on and I slap my Thule Boxter on top. MPG is less of a concern with winter fuel, knobby winter boots and lots of seat heaters, fan blowing and defroster active!

Note: The factory bolts for the cross bars are hex style and they seem to strip easily. Perhaps they were not designed for frequent tightening - IDK? I had an issue taking them off last weekend and had to drill out one bolt and another was getting close. Now that they are out I will replace those bolts with something with a more substantial head that I can lock onto easily.

 

[sjwhiteley]

...

Note: The factory bolts for the cross bars are hex style and they seem to strip easily. Perhaps they were not designed for frequent tightening - IDK? I had an issue taking them off last weekend and had to drill out one bolt and another was getting close. Now that they are out I will replace those bolts with something with a more substantial head that I can lock onto easily.

Mine are torx head bolts. If you are using an allen wrench on torx head, it's likely they won't work right...

 

[Gumby]

Mine are torx head bolts. If you are using an allen wrench on torx head, it's likely they won't work right...

I use the tool that came with bars?

 

[1970Maverick]

ditto!
If ford made some caps to cover the holes etc, I'd remove the rails from ours too...im never gonna use it!

I never used the rack since I got my 2017 XLT so I removed it and plugged the holes. I shoved a small piece of 3/8 round foam insulation(backer rod) into the well nuts to cover the threads, then I filled the space above the threads with a squirt of silicon sealer and smoothed it even with the roof. If the holes need to be used in the future, I can dig out the silicon and push the foam down to expose the threads.

 

[wakeboarder]

ditto!
If ford made some caps to cover the holes etc, I'd remove the rails from ours too...im never gonna use it!

Sorry, I just realized I misread your post. I had in my head “crossbars” where you said “rails”.

 

[Michael D Morris]

So, I bought a 2019 Expedition Max Limited in September. This thread got me wondering about my roof rack. Was I supposed to get crossrails because I don't have any? A couple of the plastic plugs that go in the holes of the side rails are missing too.

 

[gbobcat]

I use the tool that came with bars?

I don’t think mine came with a tool.

They are definitely torx on mine, as I learned after the movers packed all my torx drivers!

 

[shane_th_ee]

So, I bought a 2019 Expedition Max Limited in September. This thread got me wondering about my roof rack. Was I supposed to get crossrails because I don't have any? A couple of the plastic plugs that go in the holes of the side rails are missing too.

They are optional.

 

[Gumby]

So, I bought a 2019 Expedition Max Limited in September. This thread got me wondering about my roof rack. Was I supposed to get crossrails because I don't have any? A couple of the plastic plugs that go in the holes of the side rails are missing too.

Did you opt for the cargo package? The one with the cargo organizer, etc? If not then you wouldn't get the cross bars. I don't have that package and opted to buy the OE cross bars from the dealer.

I don’t think mine came with a tool.

They are definitely torx on mine, as I learned after the movers packed all my torx drivers!

Hmm...I should pull out the tool / key that came in the box with mine. I am almost 100% certain it's Hex. Oh well.