Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbar - Aluminum - Black - 54" Long - Qty 1
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2003 Ford Focus
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2003 Ford Focus
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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).
Customer Satisfaction Score:
88% were satisfied with this product
12% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
The rhino rack is well made but suffers from the flat bottom rubber feet. Since nearly all cars and trucks have roof seams, foot pads should be stepped to engage the seam like other racks such as Thule does. It's unlikely that very many different shapes would be needed to fit most vehicles. Rhino tech didn't agree with my assessment.
At first I didn’t know how to get the end pieces off because I thought it was locked and didn’t know where the key was. After pulling one of the ends pieces off, I saw that the blue key was inside the crossbar next to the measuring strips. Took me a minute but figured that part out, but the instructions were easy to follow. Can’t wait to test it out on my Kayaks! I have this installed on my Toyota Corolla LE 2013.
Great addition to the bed track of my 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz! I got these for my rhino rack rod holder since they made such noise on the oem roof rack. So happy I went with rhino rack. You can't beat the price and the quality is as good if not better than Thule or Yakima. Highly reccomend.
Purchase for a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, black rails. Perfect fit.
etrailer.com's videos and additional customer support made the purchase of a Rhino Rack system from them for our 2010 Malibu a no brainer. The rack fit the car perfectly, and with the videos and clear instructions that came with the kit, I got it installed on the car with only one misstep. The instructions came the the measurements in centimeters and inches. I didn't have a metric tape measure, and ended up messing up converting fractions to decimal.
My Daughter is going to college 500 miles away and is moving into an unfurnished apartment and needed to pick up some small furniture that wouldn't fit in her Malibu. She purchased several items from Facebook Marketplace and was able to transport a twin bed and mattress, a medium sized desk and some dining room chairs (in several trips) with no problems.
The only thing I can think of to improve the installation would be to have the Inches measurements in decimal or to include an inexpensive metric tape.
These slick looking, quality made, aluminum, aero bars came with the RLCP25 kit, to fit my FJ Cruiser. It didn't have the big, bulky, useless for carrying much of anything factory rack.
I like the look of the full size racks/ baskets, but didn't want to spend $800 + truck freight to get one. These cross bars are perfect for carrying my 14' canoe, plus whatever else with various cargo carrying accessories.
They are light, yet combined carry near 100+ lbs. of gear.
There is a rubber strip in the top slot, bottom slots and plastic strips to seal those, once you slide the feet in the correct distance to be even on both sides for your vehicle, and black, plastic end caps to finish it off.
You'll need a tape measure and 10mm socket wrench to attach to the feet, then re-tighten periodically for safety.
They look great on mr ride, and I can deal with the rubbing/ humming sound, after putting them on, although it does sound like my tires rubbing the fender wells...
We had the challenge of how to carry 2 kayaks this summer in addition to hauling a 30 foot gooseneck horse trailer. We have F450 crew cab with custom truck bed. We hoped to use the "head ache" bar on the truck bed to support the rear sets of Swagman Rincon supports and purchased a single Rhino Vortex bar for the forward sets on top of the cab. We have 10.5 and 12 foot kayaks and this looks to be an excellent solution. The kayaks are clear of the gooseneck trailer even in a "jackknife" position. Please note the truck bed is extra long therefore there is plenty of room forward the nose of the trailer. We have not hauled yet but will convey any issues if there are any. eTrailer tech support was excellent. Product shipped as projected. Installation took approximatly 3 hours.
This review is for the Rhino Rack Vortex Aero Aluminum-Silver crossbars and
associated legs and custom fit kit (RRVA137s-2, DK284, RRRLKVA) necessary for a naked roof installation on a 2018 Honda CR-V. Just enter the model and year of your vehicle and etrailers website will tell you exactly what additional items are necessary to complete the install. etrailers installation instructions and videos are very helpful. The installation document provided is for more than one vehicle and for more than one style rack, so take your time to understand witch measurements apply to your installation and refer to the installation video if necessary. ON that note: The measurements given for front rack did not fit as nicely on the roof as the rear rack, I adjusted the the front rack measurements slightly. I would suggest trial fitting on your vehicle before cutting the metric rulers to final length. Stick On tags are supplied to indicate front, rear and the location to install on your vehicle. Once the rails are adjusted and tagged you can remove and reinstall the racks very quickly. Korren was very helpful in keeping me informed as to availability of items in stock and email shipping tracking. I am very satisfied with etrailers customer service and happy with the appearance and functionality of the Rhino racks.
I own a 2013 Honda CRV I purchased a couple months ago. It has a naked roof and no rack or side bars, and I wanted to be able to carry up to three kayaks. I didn't really want to buy and install the side bars, and then the cross bars also. I also needed the cross bars to be a little wider than the vehicle itself, as I own two Ocean Kayak Scupper Pros, and a Venus.
This Rhino Rack package looked like a great option for my needs. Weight wise, the three boats come right to the limit. Other racks had lower weight limits, and wouldn't work.
I had a couple issues with the initial package, but etrailer took care of the problem right away, and sent out what I needed.
Installation was pretty smooth. I recommend reading and rereading the instructions, before you cut anything. The videos on the etrailer website or directly on YouTube are very helpful to see all the steps. I'd like to see more personalized instructions added in the future, just to to make everything even smoother. Make sure you identify your vehicle and the bar you received on the kit instructions before you start.
These bars are so wonderful. The aero bars make no noise when driving and no whistling that I can tell. They don't seem to effect my gas mileage. I made sure the top rubber strips and bottom measurement strips were cut perfectly with no gaps, as this is important to prevent whistling.
They look so stylish. I get complements on them, and people can't believe they are after market, and that I installed them myself. They really complement the vehicle. Once installed the first time, I can take them off or put then back on in about 12 minutes. I don't really plan to take them off though. I don't use car washes, and I like the look of them on my vehicle.
I made sure to not overtighten them, and then tightened them a few times over the next week and with a couple kayaking trips. These babies are strong and I can't make them move when I test them. I still check them regularly to make sure they are secure, for safety purposes.
I highly recommend this Rhino Rack package. They know how to make the perfect roof rack and you can tell the quality and thought that went into them. Look at my photos I have included.
Thank you to etrailer for such great service. You made the whole process so pleasant and easy.
Nice rack. Has performed as advertised… I carry canoes and kayaks around in the warmer months, snowboards in the winter, and cargo boxes at various times all year long.
The Rhino Racks work as intended for my bike rack above the bed of my Maverick pickup. Very secure and easy to assemble.
See above comments
The crossbars allow me to add other accessories to the roof rack
I was sent an opened box with a scratched crossbar, that was missing the Vortex strips and end keys. Very disappointing service.
Great customer service. Rhino rack was easy to install.
Rhino Rack is great. E Trailer gave me a good price fast shipping
I liked doing business with you. I like the products I ordered. I did have trouble with part of the shipping. It was not your fault, but the part of the shipping you used The USPS did not work. I neverrnecieved the item from them and you had to ship me another via UPS. Over the last 10 years I have had a number of problems with the USPS with packages and mail. They are especially difficult to get information from when something seems to be lost. I would recommend not using the USPS for your shipping needs. Again, I am very happy with you and the products I bought from you.
I ordered this system so I could haul a kayak on the roof of my standard cab pickup while towing my 5th wheel RV. Everything fit great and it was easy to install,and the system works great for me.
The mount legs are horrible design. They are very difficult to squeeze and get off and often get stuck.
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Katrina D.
7/25/2024
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