Rhino-Rack or Malone Roof Rack for 2017 Nissan Pathfinder With Raised Rails

Question:

Good afternoon, trying to buy roof racks for my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder SL with factory installed rails. It needs to hold a 160 pound Condor XL rooftop tent from Roofnest and possibly a batwing awning. Currently I am looking at your racks here, RRVA150B-2 59” or MPG202 58”, which is the better choice given my vehicle and weight requirements? Second, originally I had wanted to mount Rhino Pioneer Rack and mount the tent to that. Is that even an option? Thank you!

asked by: Geoffrey M

Helpful Expert Reply:

Hands down the better option for your 2017 Nissan Pathfinder with raised rails is the Rhino-Rack over the Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack # MPG216. The Malone is really a more universal type of fit that is an all-in-one with bars that are smaller in diameter and height than the Rhino-Rack and not at the overall level of quality. If you were looking for a rack that you'd just use occasionally it would be fine, but since you are using things like a rooftop tent and awning, it seems like you're a more frequent adventurer, and the Rhino-Rack is a much better option.

For your 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, I verified with Rhino-Rack the correct parts for your vehicle:

- Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars # RRVA126B-2

- Rhino-Rack SX Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars # RRSX100

These are 49 inch bars, which are the correct length for your '17 Pathfinder, as you can see in the accompanying photo I added of them on a Pathfinder. I checked about the Pioneer Platform as well, and one is not available for use on your vehicle.

The Rhino-Rack bars do have the capacity to be used with a rooftop tent like you were wanting, and they can mount a Batwing awning as well, either the Rhino-Rack Batwing Awning - Roof Rack Mount - Driver's Side # RR33100 or Passenger's Side # RR33200.