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Aerodynamic, aluminum crossbar lets you build an aftermarket roof rack for your vehicle. Full-length bar provides plenty of space for carriers and accessories. Vortex strips in C-channels reduce wind noise. Includes theft-deterring plastic locks.
Features:
Specs:
This low-profile, aerodynamic Vortex Aero crossbar lets you replace a damaged bar, add a third bar to an existing rack, or build a stylish aftermarket roof rack from scratch. The crossbar requires a pair of Rhino-Rack legs (manufactured in 2014 or later) and a custom fit kit to mount it to your roof. This bar extends past the roof rack legs to maximize the space for mounting carriers and accessories. Rubberized Vortex strips in the crossbar's top channel disrupt airflow for a quiet ride, and the bar is constructed of aluminum so it won't rust. The crossbar also includes Secure Core endcaps with plastic locks to help deter theft of channel-mounted accessories.
The rubberized Vortex strips in the top channel of this crossbar disrupt airflow with evenly spaced, wave-shaped grooves. This carefully controlled turbulence minimizes wind noise and whistling, so you won't need to add a fairing to your roof rack. And the slim, elliptical Vortex Aero crossbar cuts through the air with minimal drag - even at highway speeds.
The Vortex Aero crossbar is made of structural-grade anodized aluminum with an H-shaped internal extrusion. This extrusion strengthens the bar without adding a significant amount of weight. And the aluminum bar won't rust so you can leave it on your roof year-round.
The crossbar has a channel in the bottom for mounting to Rhino-Rack roof rack legs (sold separately). Each end of the channel includes a rubber ruler to help you center the bar on your roof. Simply use the numbers and hash marks on the rulers to ensure the legs are spaced properly in the channel.
The Vortex Aero crossbar has a built-in C-channel so you can carry channel-mounted accessories such as bike racks, watersport carriers, and ski racks. The Vortex strip in the top channel comes in 3 pieces, so it's easier to adjust than a single long, continuous strip. You can remove, trim, and re-insert the Vortex strips around the mounting hardware of your accessories to keep the crossbar channel capped and quiet. Replacement strips (sold separately) are also available if you remove your accessories or switch to clamp-on accessories.
You can also attach most clamp-on accessories to the bar, and the Vortex strip provides a shock-absorbing, no-slip cushion for any accessories that rest on it.
The crossbar includes 2 Secure Core locking endcaps made of durable polypropylene. These endcaps lock with a universal tubular key. The polypropylene locks secure the endcaps to the crossbar and help to secure channel-mounted accessories to the crossbar. For maximum security, you can upgrade to endcaps with all-metal lock cores (RRVA-LEC2 - sold separately).
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hey guys. It's Randy here at etrailer.com. Today we're doing a demo on the Rhino Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars. These are aluminum aero-shaped crossbar, of course they're designed to work with your Rhino Rack fit kit or leg kit, those are going to be sold separate.As you can see here, this is going to give us a spot on our roof to clear up a lot of space inside our vehicle. We've got a bike rack attached here, simply comes down, straps right around it. Gives us a excellent way to get that transported if we don't want something hanging off the back of our vehicle or if we don't want to take the whole thing apart and try to shove it inside.The aluminum crossbars are going to be lightweight and they're going to be very corrosion resistant, we're not going to have to worry about any kind of corrosion and eventually it dripping down on our vehicle.Now these crossbars are available in several different lengths, so depending on smaller vehicle, larger vehicle, we're going to have the right crossbar to match up with your vehicle.
They're also going to be available, not only the black that we see here, but silver. If you don't like the way a black roof rack looks, you can see with this silver side rails kind of blend in a little bit more if we had silver. That's kinda going to be up to you.The end cap here is something that they have provided a plastic core lock for. You just place this in here, rotate it to the unlock position, that's going to slide off for us. These can very easily be replaced with a locking core if you want a keyed lock to keep everything safe and secure, you can go that route also.Not only does our strip here keep our items from sliding side to side, but it's also going to protect the channel underneath from things running down in and for T-Slot type accessories this thing can be cut, put right back in.
This is going to do an excellent job of eliminating any noises that wind comes across. It won't get in that channel, we're not going to hear any of it.The bars are anodized fully through. Even on the inside here, if moisture happens to get in there and collect, we're not going to have to worry about corrosion. These give us excellent strength. You can see it's hollow, that helps it to stay nice and lightweight, but we have all the integral support here, gonna make 'em extremely, extremely durable.
They will really exceed well past that 165 pound weight rating that they offer, but it's not something you wanna do.The larger rectangle that we have here, that's where we slide in any of the foot pegs that we might need to match our particular vehicle.To ensure that you're accessories that you already have are going to fit or to ensure that you're getting the right accessories, just want to give you the dimensions real quick on our crossbars. From our front edge to our rear edge, we've got about 3-1/8 of an inch, then from the bottom up to the top, it's going to be an inch and 3/16. As long as your accessories are designed to fit that, which most of 'em on the market today are, won't have any issues.I really like the way this roof rack system looks. There are roof rack systems however, that will not overhang like this. Overhanging like what we have here, that gives you additional room for accessories and stuff.
Some people they'll prefer more of a factory look or more of a sleek look. In that case, I think I'd recommend one of the roof rack systems that come and end in the foot pack. We'd have our bar that comes over, but it's going to end right here in this area and be a little bit more sleek than what we have here with our overhanging aero bars from Rhino Rack.That's going to do it for our look at the Rhino Rack Vortex Aero Roof Rack Crossbars.
Ratings & Reviews

Michael J.
2/11/2018
It is working very well. I have had others ask me about it, as well as sharing info myself and referring them to you. Im still loving it. Will use even more this summer. Three kayaks Ive loaded max. Also building materials not at the same time. And it looks so stylish, I leave it on year round. Also, people are jealous of the non slip grip.Thanks for following up.


Don
4/11/2022
I am still very satisfied after a year of using the Rhino-Rack. I have used it about 8 times transporting my kayak with no issues. The longest trip was about 45 miles, part of it was interstate driving at 75 mph. Stays tight on the roof with very slight wind noise.

D R.
3/24/2018
Great system, etrailer provides great service. I recommend whenever possible.

Jason D.
8/6/2014
Im still loving the Rhino Rack setup, including the Nautic 581 saddles. They bars were easy to remove for winter snow clearing, and to put back on in the Spring for my new kayak. The rack and straps all work great, and I recommend etrailer to anyone that asks where I got it.

Dave
8/31/2014
Thanks for your review Jason. Ive been searching for an option to transport kayaks on my naked FJ and your review sealed the deal. Now Im off to buy kayaks. :-

Mark
8/20/2020
Still rock solid after a year. Very happy with the Rack. My daughter has used it from time to time over the past year when something wont fit in her car, and shes had no problems with it at all.

Stephen
8/20/2023
Cant say enough about the quality and value of rhino rack products. I have had zero issues with the crossbars.


Kyle
3/2/2025
Still working as advertised after a couple of years. The rubber channel s are beginning to get a little worn in spots… but I use the rack a lot. Rack and mounting hardware is still in great shape.


Pj
4/11/2022
This has endeared Mn winters and transporting kayaks back and forth from lakes and cabins and it still looks good! I highly recommend the investment!

Rich W.
8/15/2018
Rack is working out very well. My issue with the flat rubber pads really cant be resolved because the seams on the Ram arent deep enough to allow a stepped pad. Ive also had a problem with the filler rubber strips coming out when sliding boats on. Overall, its a very good rack.

Heather A.
3/22/2022
Thank you for your review on the installation of your rack. If the garage has a clearance of 6 feet, you will not be able to park there with your CR-V with the rack on. The CR-V itself is 5.5 feet tall.

Kevin R.
5/4/2018
Thanks for checking in with me! I love my rack. I actually just bought a bike rack and wheel holder from etrailer.com for it! Have a great summer!

Rio
6/4/2021
Amazing!!

Josh
8/16/2017
Still going strong! Things havent budged. Very confident with the Rhino Rack!

Roseanne
8/12/2015
Its still attached to my car and still doing its job. I did lose an end cap and had to order 2 as a pair . I dont remember the amount but the were expensive as replacementsespecially since i knew it would happen

Anthony
6/12/2022
Ive used the rack to transport my boat numerous times. the rack is as strong as I hoped. Ive traveled maybe 70mph with no issue. Ive read how people had trouble with racks tearing off their vehicle. Ill say that this is the owners fault because they misjudge the strength of wind at highway speed . I secure my boat to the rack so it cant shift and then cargo strap it to the vehicle tow hooks or chassis so there is downward pressure on the rack. As a note- always remember to periodically check the screws on the legs for proper tension.
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Gwendolyn Y.
4/19/2025
They look great on your truck, Todd! How often do you get to take the bikes out?