Arrives before Christmas To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
These quiet, aerodynamic crossbars strap to your vehicle's raised, factory side rails to create a super-strong roof rack. Sturdy, lightweight aluminum crossbars include top channels with noise-reducing Vortex strips. Integrated locks deter theft.
Features:
Specs:
The low-profile, aerodynamic Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar roof rack lets you carry gear and accessories on your vehicle's roof quietly and with little wind drag. The crossbars mounts directly to your vehicle's raised, factory side rails. The Vortex StealthBars have built-in rubber strips that disrupt airflow for a quiet ride, and the bar is constructed of aluminum so it won't rust. These bars blend seamlessly with the support legs to provide a from-the-factory look, and they are custom cut to your specific vehicle. The legs also include built-in locks that protect your gear and the rack from theft.
Aerodynamic Design
The rubberized Vortex strips in the crossbar's top channel 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 StealthBar cuts through the air with minimal drag - even at highway speeds.
The Vortex StealthBar roof rack has a flush-mount design so the crossbar terminates at the legs with no overhang. This provides the rack with a seamless, from-the-factory look, and it also helps to improve aerodynamics by reducing drag and wind noise.
Strong, Durable Construction
The Vortex StealthBar is made of structural-grade anodized aluminum with an H-shaped internal extrusion. This extrusion strengthens the bar without adding significant amount of weight. And the aluminum bar wont rust so you can leave it on your roof year-round.
The rack's durable, glass-reinforced nylon legs are designed to stand up to cargo loads and weather extremes. They're also UV treated to withstand long-term exposure to sunlight.
Custom Fit for Easy Installation
The roof rack arrives at your doorstep almost completely assembled. The crossbar is already mounted into the nylon legs, and the bar is pre-cut to match the width of your vehicle's roof. The few remaining assembly steps are straightforward and only require the strap and lock fit kit.
The fit kit includes co-molded, rubber-coated stainless steel straps designed to fit around your raised, factory side rails. To install, remove the leg covers and simply attach the straps to the bottom of each leg. Then wrap the straps around your vehicle's side rails. Lastly, secure the straps to the top of each leg and replace the cover.
Channel-Mounted and Clamp-On Accessories
Each crossbar has a built-in C-channel so you can carry channel-mounted accessories such as bike racks, watersports carriers, and ski racks. The Vortex strips in the top channel come in 3 pieces, so theyre 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 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 bars, and the Vortex strips provide a shock-absorbing, no-slip cushion for any accessories that rest on them.
Built-In Security
Locking covers on each support leg let you secure accessories mounted in the crossbar's top channel. These sturdy nylon covers give the rack a finished look and also secure the rack to your vehicle's roof. The cover locks are keyed a like, so a single key opens all locks.
Alternate Instructions
California residents: click here
Fit is good
Rack setup and installation was a breeze. Offers a nice low profile design while being really sturdy. Mounted my extended cargo basket and the pair is rock solid.
A little expensive for what it does but easy to put on
Great design. Best racks for the Cherokee on the market today.
I had one problem with my order: one of the cross bars was missing the rubber vortex strips. If you could have someone send these out it would be greatly appreciated.
Other than that, I'm very satisfied with the product.
The racks were easy to install, look good as they fit between the racks and not sit above and make no noise when driving even on the interstate.
Fit perfectly, very sturdy. I'm sold on Rhino Rack.
Good solid product...20 minutes to install. Aussies should send instruction in Inches not Millimeters though... and finding the PDF with the fitment settings on their site is a bit of pain....
But bottom-line....wifey very happy she can take her SUP to the pond now. Me, happy she doesnt have to take my truck to do it.
First of all, this review is on the actual product not etrailer. They were awesome as always on this purchase (more on that later). Sorry for the long review, but I feel the need….
2014 Jetta Sportwagen
These are not silent. At ~45 mph and less there is a high pitched whistle. At lower highway speeds there is a low level hum, like a monk chant. After that just regular wind/turbulence noise.
On to the install… etrailer website confirmed fitment. In the instructions (step 8) there is a need to go to the manufactures website to find a vehicle specific info. My vehicle came back as not supported. So called etrailer and as always, awesome. Took her a bit – I offered to end call while she searched – but she did send me a supplemental sheet and even had taken the time to read them and suggests the proper fitment. Kudos to Cathryn B.
Step 1 and 2 are misleading in a way. Step 3 should be step 1. Step 2 shows just the bar with no ends, which is never needed during the install and you would have had to complete steps 4&5 to get to that point.
In step 1, inserting the rubber fully is not going to happen with just your hand. I used a chopstick to push the nipple fully into the hole. Could use the (provided) allen wrench but that could tear the rubber.
There are two different crossbar lengths provided and the install location is not specified until step 10. Kinda should be mentioned up front as the install location is specific due to this.….
Step 4/5 – even after loosening the bolt it still had a catch when adjusting length. I thought it was at the end of the road but when it was still too short while attempting to connect to my rails I looked over and saw that I had another inch or so, took a bit of muscle to get past that position.
Step 6 – the crossbars on one had apparently fallen out during shipping – took a few minutes to hunt down in the box/packing material.
***Step 11 – HEED THE WARNING. I’VE GOT OLD MAN LEATHER FINGERS AND STILL WAS BLEEDING LIKE A STUCK PIG. I WOULD RECOMMEND PUTTING BANDAIDS ON YOUR INDEX FINDER PRIOR TO THIS STEP. Also make sure you have the t-bolt just barely on the threads as it will give you maximum slack to complete te step, hopefully without causing injury.
Step 13 – please define ‘overtighten’. Lots of room for interpretation there.
Step 15 - I would truly like to see a video of someone successfully completing this step. If all other factors of the install are done correctly, I don’t feel this is needed anyway so I gave up after about five minutes.
Final, and biggest issue, is the sunroof. I don’t use it often so not sure if this will cause me to return the product, but a ‘guaranteed fitment’ means this should not be an issue.
First issue is that it rubs when the sunroof is open. Second is apparently my sunroof has a sensor that keeps it from closing if it sense too much pressure. Third is to compensate for this I had to move from my preferred rearward location to all the way forward. It rubs in both positions however at the forward location the sensor (so far) has not picked up on it despite having a longer time / area rubbing when opening and closing. I did push down on the crossbar as much as I could (and I’m semi fat) to simulate a load and still opens / closes. Now, because of the forward location I have a nice wide black bar blocking the center of my sunroof.
Second purchase from etrailer and it's every bit as good as the first. Went on great as per instructions. Looks good too
It’s missing parts, the locking mechanism, keys, and straps to install the bar on the rack….
Excellent service! Definitely will do it again
Thank you etrailer for great communication and fast delivery!
All around excellent experience—5 stars out of 4! Excellent communication of order status and I am pleased with the quality of this product. I will continue purchasing for various needs with etrailer.com!!
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