Rhino Rack Platform

[Blackwater]

Jon the rack looks great. Can't wait to see it mounted up on your truck!
I must say I'm disappointed in seeing that flaw in the top of the rack. I suppose it really won't be seen, but its unfortunate. Have you talked to safari-ltd or RR direct?

 

[jonharis]

Jon the rack looks great. Can't wait to see it mounted up on your truck!
I must say I'm disappointed in seeing that flaw in the top of the rack. I suppose it really won't be seen, but its unfortunate. Have you talked to safari-ltd or RR direct?

Working on it. I'm going to try some aluminum cleaner but really think it's a problem with the finish. The photos don't capture it but it appears to me that the dark spot is bare aluminum and the rest of the rack is finished. Anyone know what the finish is on the rack? Is it anodized or does it have a protective anti-corrosion finish? If the cleaner doesn't work, I'm fully confident that Rhino or Safari will make it right.

 

[Blackwater]

Just a thought, but how easy do the plastic corner pieces remove? Are they bolted or held in by rivets?
Part of what I love about the RR is the raw aluminum look, but a finish of powdercoat wouldn't be too to expensive would it?
Meh, I don't know, pry not worth that trouble..

 

[jonharis]

^ It looks like the rivets must be removed to remove the plastic corners.

So a bit of an update, due to some delays (mostly just life) I still have not installed this rack. A couple of issues have made it less plug-and-play than I was hoping for.

1. The front feet of the rack must be mounted to two bolt holes that are not visible. The sheet metal strip must be cut to accommodate the mount and the factory mounting hole gets covered if desired. I ordered the OEM covers from Beno. I truly don't understand why Rhino did not just use the front mounting point? It would have saved at least an hour of cutting, sanding, grinding and plugging. The further forward mounting point would have not only made for an easier install but would have better supported the rack (See # 2). I wonder if Rhino had any specific reason for this design? I would gladly replace the current mounts for one that fits the front position. There was not mention that I could see in the instructions, this would have been a simple way to save us a lot of time.

2. With the platform attached I can not fully open the tailgate. The wind deflector hits the rack. It only does this by about 1/2"-3/4" Since the wind deflector (i believe) was standard in every 100 from 98-05 I would think this would have been taken into consideration. It looks like my only options are to remove the deflector or re-drill the rack. I'm not keen on either of these. I actually like the look and function of the deflector and don't really want open holes in the tailgate. Drilling the rack is easy but moves the cantilever even further forward than its already extended state.

Questions. Did other people run into the same problems? If so how did you deal with them?

How stable is the front of the rack considering the extended cantilever? My concern is vibration that would in tern cause flickering if I install lighting on the rack.

I'm going to sit on it for a coupe of days and make a decision on how I want to deal with the fitment issue this weekend.

Addition: What really sucks is that the body shop told me that the replacement hatch comes with no holes and that they had to redrill them! I'm freekin' pissed now knowing that I'll probably end up removing the spoiler and forever knowing that I could have had a clean hole free hatch very time I look at the bolts.

 

[hoser]

As you know, Rhino rack is an Australian company and it seems the AUS spec LC100's normally use that set of mounts. They also don't normally come with the wind deflector. So, that may be the explanation you are looking for.

LC4L also had problems with mounting his ARB rack because of the mounting holes.

 

[ckkone]

I don't have a wind deflector so didn't run into that issue. I try to spread the load on my rack evenly and I haven't run into any issues with the cantilever or any vibration. If you are that worried about it order some mounts from gamiviti and make them work.

 

[jonharis]

^ Thanks guys, spoiler is coming off tonight and the rack is going to get run for a while as is. I'll report back with more impressions in a couple of months.

 

[sleeoffroad]

1. The front feet of the rack must be mounted to two bolt holes that are not visible. The sheet metal strip must be cut to accommodate the mount and the factory mounting hole gets covered if desired. I ordered the OEM covers from Beno. I truly don't understand why Rhino did not just use the front mounting point? It would have saved at least an hour of cutting, sanding, grinding and plugging. The further forward mounting point would have not only made for an easier install but would have better supported the rack (See # 2). I wonder if Rhino had any specific reason for this design? I would gladly replace the current mounts for one that fits the front position. There was not mention that I could see in the instructions, this would have been a simple way to save us a lot of time.

Some trucks with two mounts on the OE bar uses the mount location for the Rhino Rack. I spoke to their engineers at length and in Australia Toyota does not endorse racks mounted to the front location. It has to do with crash protection and rack feet pushing the roof down in a roll over. I explained to them that the US is not Australia, but that did not help much.

2. With the platform attached I can not fully open the tailgate. The wind deflector hits the rack. It only does this by about 1/2"-3/4" Since the wind deflector (i believe) was standard in every 100 from 98-05 I would think this would have been taken into consideration. It looks like my only options are to remove the deflector or re-drill the rack. I'm not keen on either of these. I actually like the look and function of the deflector and don't really want open holes in the tailgate. Drilling the rack is easy but moves the cantilever even further forward than its already extended state.

Did you have the right side of the rack facing forward? Pretty sure you have. We have not run into that, but then I can't say for sure if we installed it on a truck with a wind deflector.

How stable is the front of the rack considering the extended cantilever? My concern is vibration that would in tern cause flickering if I install lighting on the rack.

We have not had an issue with it, but I would certainly not overload it on the front.

 

[jonharis]

Some trucks with two mounts on the OE bar uses the mount location for the Rhino Rack. I spoke to their engineers at length and in Australia Toyota does not endorse racks mounted to the front location. It has to do with crash protection and rack feet pushing the roof down in a roll over. I explained to them that the US is not Australia, but that did not help much.

Thanks for the reply Christo, I remember discussing this in person with you a year or two ago and this coming up. It's one of the reasons I vacillated so much on a rack purchase. I still feel that the quality of the rack is very good especially at this price point, but the mounting system does not make sense. I think it was Paul who told me the FrontRunner uses the same mounts so it does appear that all of the SA/AU offerings are set up this way. I find it difficult to believe without seeing some serious rollover data that it is a less safe mounting solution.

Did you have the right side of the rack facing forward? Pretty sure you have. We have not run into that, but then I can't say for sure if we installed it on a truck with a wind deflector.

Yes, that was my first thought. I checked and rechecked the instructions. The rack is universal with 9 mounting holes per side arranged in sets of 3. The instructions state to use the middle set. This line up perfectly with the rack. I was thinking of moving it back to the farthest back set of mounting holes but the holes would not line up and again I would be in a situation where I have to drill and the front would cantilever even more.

We have not had an issue with it, but I would certainly not overload it on the front.

Thanks, my only concern was going to be light flicker/shudder but I really don't think I'll have forward facing lighting on the rack. As far as loads go, foxwing, shovel and that's it. It's more going to be for occasional firewood hauls, and transporting gear of someone who breaks down (read hits you and totals his truck).

 

[pfran42]

Thanks, my only concern was going to be light flicker/shudder but I really don't think I'll have forward facing lighting on the rack. As far as loads go, foxwing, shovel and that's it. It's more going to be for occasional firewood hauls, and transporting gear of someone who breaks down (read hits you and totals his truck).

Fyi, due to the length of the rack overhang off of the front mounts, I have had a tough time developing a light bracket solution that does not vibrate. Granted, my light bar weighs a little more than say a four 9" spots, but even when supported by four FrontRunner light brackets, the vibration rendered it unusable. I am on V.3 of a home-brew solution and aside from aesthetics, the vibration issue has been quelled.

I would think that aux light vibration would be less of an issue on Rhino racks as the main load-bearing rails run front to back, thus stiffening the whole assembly.

 

[matt49]

newb to the 100 series but what brand of snorkel is that?

I had a few PM's asking for more pictures of my Rhino Pioneer Platform and I finally had a chance to get some this past weekend. I got it direct from Rhino and Joe, John and Deb were all great to work with. My system includes the following:

100 Series Leg Kit - RLCP02
Pioneer Alloy Platform Rack - 42104
Foxwing Awning Left Hand - 31100
Foxwing Bracket - 43100
Eye Bolt Kit - 43106
Luggage Bag Half - LBH

It's a great piece of kit and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a flat platform rack.

 

[Wilsil]

It is the Airtec snorkel, made by TJM.

I like the roofrack, but I don't think it will fit on my Toyota roofbars.

 

[nickswan]

i really like the idea of the foxwing, but can buy two 2.5m ARB awnings for the price. I also spend a lot of time sitting on the rear hatch, can you open it with the foxwing deployed? it looks like it might interfere.

 

[ckkone]

Rear hatch can open fully and does not contact the awning.

 

[jonharis]

Rear hatch can open fully and does not contact the awning.

You probably have yours mounted slightly differently. I mounted my mounts "upside down" so that the truck would still fit on the garage. I think it looks better too IMO. Their gate touches but does not interfere. standard highlight also touches. I'm going to search for a nice soft rubber cap to prevent tears.

 

[jonharis]

More crap iPhone pics.











So after all of my frustration with the mounting of the rack I feel that I can still recommend it as a budget solution. At full price it is not a good value but at a discounted sale price I would probably do it again. With unlimited funds I probably woul have bought the new EziAwn rack and their Foxwing knockof "the bat" which is similar but much more beefy.

 

[nickswan]

I'd like to see the bat 270 side by side with the Foxwing. It would have to be light years ahead for me to justify twice the price.

 

[Blackwater]

Jon, looks good from the pics. I look forward to a few more. I'm interested in more overall truck pics to see more of the contrast of the silver/black if you have them.
It's been months and the wife and I are still between the RR and the FR slimline. I'm kinda hopeful we will decide on the RR from the price point to be honest..

 

[AATLAS1X]

the wife and I are still between the RR and the FR slimline. I'm kinda hopeful we will decide on the RR from the price point to be honest..

What are you looking for in a rack? Can you be specific?

In regards to the price, what number are you budgeting and does that include mounts as well?

Thanks for your time,

Shane.

 

[AATLAS1X]

I'd like to see the bat 270 side by side with the Foxwing. It would have to be light years ahead for me to justify twice the price.

Cascadia Vehicle Tents loaned me one of their wing style awnings so I can play with the mounting solutions.

I know nothing about them but I'm sure they will be the least expensive on the market.

Though I was surprised and disappointed it wasn't the 270* of coverage. Odd really.

But here's some pictures.