Cross Bar Placement for Rhino-Rack Roof Rack System for 2011 Ford Flex
Question:
The video says to place the cross bar rack 70 cm, or 2-foot 3-1/2-inches apart. I want to use this with a 47 pound Yakima SkyBox Pro 16 Roof Box. Any reason I cant place the Rhino cross bars 3-foot apart to accommodate the Yakima mount points? I like the Rhinos because they hold more weight than others. But will this rack hold a heavy Yakima Skybox on a Ford Flex? I have no factory rails. This Flex came with the glass sun roofs, but I believe I can carefully mount some kind of roof rack for my box? Thanks for any help.
asked by: Phil
Expert Reply:
The 70-cm measurement in the video you refer to pertains to a different vehicle than yours. The manufacturers of aftermarket roof racks like Rhino-Rack base the capacities and placement of their rack components on the structural design of the host vehicle. Rack makers determine the strongest and safest placement points for crossbars based on the engineering of the vehicle's roof. There are certain racks, such as the types that install permanently on camper shells, that can be placed pretty much wherever the user wishes, but on passenger vehicles racks should be installed exactly as specified by the rack manufacturer. This concern is especially valid on a vehicle like yours that has a glass sun roof. On your vehicle the crossbar spread will be 80-cm (31-1/2-inches) which will work with your Skybox.
You will want to consult your Flex owner's manual (or speak to your dealership) to confirm the vehicle's roof weight-bearing capacity before loading any cargo on it. A vehicle roof itself may not have a weight capacity equal to the rack that is installed. Also keep in mind that the Yakima Skybox Pro 16's weight of 47-lbs must be subtracted from the vehicle's total capacity to determine how much actual cargo weight you can safely load into it.
According to my contact at Yakima their Skybox Pro 16 cargo box will mount to the Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars in the referenced roof rack system.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Silver - 59" Long - Qty 2
- Roof Rack
- Crossbars
- Aero Bars
- 59 Inch Bar Space
- 2 Bars
- Overhang
- Silver
- Rhino Rack
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