How to Mount a Cargo Box on the Roof of a 2013 Ford Explorer Police Edition

Question:

Dear Sir or Maam: I am in the process of acquiring a 2013 or 2014 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle based on the Ford Explorer. As such, these vehicles come in the absence of not just the Ford cross bars, but the rails they attach too. I am interested in finding out what choices you offer for a system to put cross bars on my roof hopefully with locks on them so that I can put the roof top cargo carrier from sears that I own and got a key from you for some months back for my 1999 Explorer, which is about to be totaled by State Farm due to someone crashing into it when it was parked!

asked by: Chris R

Expert Reply:

I do still have a way for you to affix the cargo box to the roof of either a 2013 or 2014 Ford Explorer but since it is the Police edition which has the factory side rails removed, none of the aftermarket roof rack manufacturers (Thule/Yakima/Rhino Rack) make a custom fit system that will work for you.

The only option I have is a universal crossbar system that attaches to the roof of your Explorer and secures itself with straps that run inside the vehicle. You will want to use 2 of the Darby Turbo-Rack Universal Single-Bar Roof Rack part # DTA968 in order to mount the cargo box to the roof of your vehicle. The crossbars on the above rack extend from 45" to 60" which should provide an option for the roof span on your Explorer.

I have attached a review video of the Darby Turbo-Rack for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L