In Desperate Need of Aftermarket Crossbars in DC Area

[1carnut]

We have a trip coming up starting Saturday and have a rooftop tent i need to securely mount to my roof until we get to CO on the 18th and can get our new Gamiviti roof rack installed to remount the tent to properly. The tent is too big and heavy go just live even temporarily on the stock 200 series crossbars. I’ve looked all over for Thule, Yakima, Rhino-Rack and other crossbar solutions we can get in time.

I know it’s a long shot but anyone in the greater DC area have an aftermarket set of crossbars and the necessary feet to mount on the stock length side bars on a 200 series I could borrow or rent for 3 weeks or even buy. More than willing to pay a premium at this point!

 

[Fisher23]

I tossed mine a fews weeks ago. There is a thread around on how you build extra ones in expensively, and they sit flat without the bow.

Think it was
tbisaacs

 

[1carnut]

I tossed mine a fews weeks ago. There is a thread around on how you build extra ones in expensively, and they sit flat without the bow.

Think it was
tbisaacs

Yeah I was reading that last night. I really need to get something on in the next 48 hours though so I don’t have time to build anything unless it’s all 100% off the shelf components I can buy locally and assemble. Most threads involved online orders and even grinding to make these solutions work which I just don’t have time for at this point.

 

[grinchy]

I think the stock crossbars are up to the challenge. Here's the profile. As you can see it's an oval bar with triple box. Now mounting the tent to it might be hard to do. In that case, you could try yakima generic mightymounts. Or you might be able to find the part specific to our bars, which is mightymount 23H.

 

[cboyd]

Is the issue finding local stock of the aftermak rails?
, such as Thule or Yakima? Try rackattack.com they’re usually well stocked.

maybe more details about which RTT would help analysis if the stock bars are up to the task?

 

[CharlieS]

Maybe someplace like rackwarehouse could overnight you some? I have some Thule bars that clamp to the factory racks that I'd loan you if you were local, but I'm in Vermont.

As long as you aren't sleeping in it, I think factory racks would safely transport it, as long as you strap it down well.

If you can get past the aesthetics, you could use a few 2x4s tied to the factory rack to spread the forces. I've seen people haul all kinds of stuff this way.

 

[1carnut]

I think the stock crossbars are up to the challenge. Here's the profile. As you can see it's an oval bar with triple box. Now mounting the tent to it might be hard to do. In that case, you could try yakima generic mightymounts. Or you might be able to find the part specific to our bars, which is mightymount 23H.

View attachment 2401357

This issue isn’t only that the stock cross rails may not be up to the task of supporting a tent this large it’s really that the way the iKamper brackets work they’re basically sitting in the roof. Tent doesn’t touch the side rails at all even. Tents a iKamper SkyCamp 2.

 

[1carnut]

Maybe someplace like rackwarehouse could overnight you some? I have some Thule bars that clamp to the factory racks that I'd loan you if you were local, but I'm in Vermont.

As long as you aren't sleeping in it, I think factory racks would safely transport it, as long as you strap it down well.

If you can get past the astherics, you could use a few 2x4s tied to the factory rack to spread the forces. I've seen people haul all kinds of stuff this way.

Yeah we’re are hoping to sleep in it at least one night before it gets swamped over to the new track as well. Seems I might finally have a lead on some cross bars options inn Facebook Marketplace that should work.

 

[KilaCruiser]

@1carnut I just ordered an extra set of factory cross bars from ebay and I believe they arrived yesterday. Am in New Jersey and happy to send them off with you if you head North before West. I dont need em, was just going to use them for extra support for the ski box. Spent a good number of years between Baltimore and DC - is NY Ave still the worst traffic ever? Good luck, F

*** Shoot - see adding a second round of factory rails to your operation wont help with brackets. Sorry!

 

[liv2bike]

To mount aftermarket cross bars you’ll also need the feet to go with them. The feet clamp to the rails. That’s the only way to mount aftermarket crossbars.

 

[grinchy]

This issue isn’t only that the stock cross rails may not be up to the task of supporting a tent this large it’s really that the way the iKamper brackets work they’re basically sitting in the roof. Tent doesn’t touch the side rails at all even. Tents a iKamper SkyCamp 2.

View attachment 2401671

View attachment 2401672

View attachment 2401673

Tighten them up and roll it. The tension bolt is not supposed to be engaged with the bottom of the bar. The brackets will pinch in on the crossbar and should be very secure.

 

[LXcy]

SOLD - NOVA: YAKIMA Towers and Cross Bars

Had these bars for use on several of my Volvo XCs in the past. Lots of applications out there. Half price @ $150.00. 56" round bars with key locking risers/towers for the raised side rail systems. Smoked Wind Deflector streamlines the look and quiets the flow around the leading bar...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Black200]

^ those should work. I ended up ordering Malone cross bars for my Roofnest RTT and I've had them attached for at least 15k miles, never had an issue. Make sure to get the proper attachments so you can attach them to the rails. Also make sure they are wide/long enough so they can reach the rails and still have a bit of an overhang.

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

@1carnut Source some t-slot aluminum. You can probably find it locally. Easy to cut yourself and install.

 

[molanginaeda]

I think spending time in hotel/motel maybe better than finding a temp solution. Until you get your roof rack install, don't even think to put more weight on the roof rack.

 

[molanginaeda]

If you really want to sleep in the RTT on your drive to CO, I would suggest using Thule/yakima crossbar mount on existing roof rail. This will elevate the roof rail height to support the thick bracket from the RTT.

Not sure if one of the pic show the RTT bracket actually denting your roof, or just pics reflection.

 

[jimoldguy]

I made my own cross bars for carrying heavy beams and lumber. They function great, but are not very stylish. 1x2 steel tube, 57 inches, drilled holes and counter sunk for 8 1/4 x 3 stainless bolts . Welded 8 nuts onto 4 drilled plates for underneath the roof rails to match the holes in the bars. I spaced my holes a little to much: should of measured between bars a little better. I used heavy steel in my bars don't know if it was needed. I had to modify the front bar a little to keep it from humming. welded some tabs on the bottom. I'll attempt to get a picture if you need one.

 

[1carnut]

We have a trip coming up starting Saturday and have a rooftop tent i need to securely mount to my roof until we get to CO on the 18th and can get our new Gamiviti roof rack installed to remount the tent to properly. The tent is too big and heavy go just live even temporarily on the stock 200 series crossbars. I’ve looked all over for Thule, Yakima, Rhino-Rack and other crossbar solutions we can get in time.

I know it’s a long shot but anyone in the greater DC area have an aftermarket set of crossbars and the necessary feet to mount on the stock length side bars on a 200 series I could borrow or rent for 3 weeks or even buy. More than willing to pay a premium at this point!

Was finally able to track down some local Yakima bars and feet on Facebook Market Place that seems to work 1000% better then what i had before. Confident they'll work for the the next week or so we need them anyway. Thanks for all the advice all!