Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar Roof Rack - Raised, Factory Side Rails - Aluminum - Black
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2016 Ford Explorer
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2016 Ford Explorer
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Wind noise can get annoying fast on long drives, especially when you’re carrying gear on the roof. The Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar keeps things calm with its slim, elliptical aluminum bars and built-in rubber Vortex strips. These wave-shaped grooves break up airflow to cut down on drag and whistling. The flush design also eliminates overhang, so the rack looks clean and stays quiet even at highway speeds.
Some racks stick out like an afterthought, but not this one. The Vortex StealthBar sits just 1-3/8" above the factory side rails, giving it a low-profile look that blends right in. The bars end cleanly at the legs for a seamless finish that matches the roofline. It’s a strong, functional setup that doesn’t sacrifice style for utility.
When you’re hauling heavy gear, you want bars that won’t flex or rust. These structural-grade anodized aluminum crossbars use an internal H-shaped extrusion for excellent strength without adding weight. They’re rustproof for year-round use, and the UV-treated, glass-reinforced nylon legs handle weather extremes with no problem. The 176 lb weight capacity gives you plenty of margin for kayaks, boxes, or other gear.
These bars are ready for whatever accessories you use most. Each one includes a built-in C-channel that works with channel-mounted carriers, bike racks, or ski holders. The rubber Vortex strips come in three pieces so you can trim and reinsert them around your mounts to keep things quiet and sealed. You can also attach most clamp-on accessories right to the bar—both styles fit securely thanks to the rubber surface that provides grip and cushioning.
When you leave your vehicle parked, your gear stays protected. Each support leg has a locking cover that secures both the crossbars and any channel-mounted accessories in place. The locks are all keyed alike, so one key takes care of everything. It’s a simple design that keeps your setup safe without adding extra hardware or hassle.
Alternate Instructions
Ratings & Reviews
I got these for my '22 BMW X7. There are really tight on the factory rails to remove/install. Quality of the bars is solid. They do clear the sunroof.
Easy to install and looks great. It'll be perfect for my kayak as soon as it warms up a little more.
Thrilled I got quick delivery with standard shipping! The product arrived in good care and took maybe 40 minutes to install. Looks great and is sturdy
Perfect fit for our 2013 Ford Flex. It was easy to install and seems to be very secure. We've already used it with our rooftop carrier box and it's worked quite well
Great low profile design. Better than what Chevrolet offers. Holds up great and handled the weight. Easy to install Make sure you have it spaced out to your desired liking otherwise is a little time consuming to move again but otherwise I would definitely buy again.
Pretty simple to install. I did need to adjust the length of the crosssbars to accommodate the diverging rails on my Flex. It worked great. The straps take a little effort to wrap around the rails but that was as difficult as it got.
Great rack for my '23 Outback Wilderness. Lowest profile out there. When installing use fixture point 1 or 2 for the locking strap. If you use 2 it is tight and I had to remove the barrel, attach the strap, and then reattach the barrel. Point 1 is easier and still tightens all the way.
I bought this rack as a Christmas gift for my daughter's 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness Wagon. It fit perfectly! It was relatively easy to install with the help of my son-in-law. It is very secure and holds her cargo box very well. After multiple highway trips between Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts it hasn't budged!
It looks great. I have not heard any noise from these bars, so far while driving. The crossbars were installed on a 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness. The Rhino-rack hardware kit RSK01 was shipped separately. It contains four CA1319 RSB Short Locking Straps. Hole #1 (i.e. the farthest hole) worked best for the installation.
Very well-made and easy to install. As-advertised, these are compatible with a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. They don't interfere with the operation of the sunroof - this had been a concern but there are no issues at all. They are low-profile and look good on the car. We'll use these to transport a paddleboard and kayak.
I researched low profile bars for 3-4 hours before buying these Stealth Bars. A major reason I went with these is the metal strap inside the rubber band that attaches to your side rails. Other companies just used hard rubber that could easily be slashed with a box cutter.
Of course these lock, which is important. They were also easy to install. I installed one and my wife installed the other.
Thanks etrailer and Rhino Rack.
Great job etrailer!!!! I received a phone call from etrailer about my credit card. Once all was cleared, I received my crossbars in 2 days. I was surprised how quickly I received them.. Installing the crossbars was pretty simple. The first one always takes a little longer; reading the instructions; going slow, making sure I am doing everything right. The second bar took half the time, if that much. The outside noise that other customers complain about, is none existant unless I am traveling over 70mph.Definitely recommend the product.
Looks like good quality product. The only problem was I didn't know what hole to use on locking strap, called Rhinorack.com headquarters. They quickly got info I needed for my vehicle. Wish there was an insert with that info.
2021 Subaru Crosstrek,
Website video for installation was easy to follow, installed to spec, might have to adjust span when I get my roof basket. Cross bar seems solid, and was what
I wanted, a little better than OEM. Look great
Product fit well, easy to install. I received a new Ford Expedition at work with an aluminum roof. I have an emergency light with magnetic mounts that will not work on the aluminum roof. Purchased these bars and used them to mount the light without having to put holes in the roof.
Rack looks sturdy. For my 2017 vw Alltrack the rear bar could be replaced for a shorter. On my side picture that is as far back the bar will go (item ja7975). Which it worked out for this application if you want the bar further aft a shorter bar will be needed. The front fit well within it’s range. The car tapers towards the back so back bar is shorter. I also dont like how VW put a notch on the bottom rail. It looks like the straps will be easy to cut with a bolt cutter.
Appears to be a well made product. I wanted a low profile rail. I would have preferred a clamp style cross bar, like the Yakiima Whispbar, but they were to wide for my Thule Evolution (ski box), mounting brackets.
You need to be careful when attaching the straps when attaching to the bracket and mounting to the rail. The exposed metal portion is very sharp.
The only con is see to this product is the strap mounting system, its more of a hassle to adjust.
When I ordered this product I was excited to see the reviews said how fast it shipped. I was not so lucky. The item was back ordered and the website did not indicate that. I received an email saying it would ship in a week so I thought it would arrive in a week. I was wrong. When I called about compatibility with attachments they told me it was back ordered and I wouldn't receive it until mid July. That whole ship in a week meant ship from the distributor to etrailer. Then it would ship to me.
Once it arrived we immediately opened it up and started assembling it. When we got to the part in the directions about attaching it to the car the directions said to go to Rhino-Racks website to find out what hole in the y-straps to use for my particular vehicle. Their website does not have an area with a fitment guide as the directions indicate so I had to call. I spoke with Jeff at Rhino-Rack and he said hole number 3. That was impossibly tight and the strap would not reach. I called back to see if hole 2 two would be acceptable and he said it should be hole 3. Well, we went with hole 2 because there was NO way hole 3 would reach the bolt since steel does not stretch.
Upon attaching the strap around the raised roof rails the strap slipped and I quickly found out the steel loop is as sharp as a kitchen knife as it sliced the tip of my finger. It was cut so deeply and cleanly it took over an hour to stop the bleeding. I called Jeff back to let him know about this problem. Aside from thanking me for letting him know, he did nothing to better the situation. I will say, now that my finger isn't gushing blood and the cross bars are securely attached to my 2015 Hyundai Tucson in hole number 2 on all four of the y-straps, I am pleased with the appearance and how quiet they are when driving.
Some cons, aside from the aforementioned:
-The rubber strip caved in when I strapped one kayak just to the cross bars. I will need to order a new one to prevent water from getting inside and to prevent noise. It is very disappointing when you have something for less than a week and you need to replace parts on it.
-The locks are super cheap and it wouldn't take much for someone to break them if they really wanted my cross bars.
-The options for attachments are very limited. In fact, I almost sent these back because I was having a hard time finding kayak attachments that I liked.
I wouldn't order these again knowing the hassle I've gone through with them.
Great product, and great service. It not only works well for our thule top box, but looks good on the flex too. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a dependable set of rails.
Exactly what I was looking for to mount my Thule roof box on my 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness. This kit is truly low profile, sits perfectly on the OBW rails and is very simple to install (just follow the included printed instructions). No wind noise to report, and so far, it's holding up very well.
Great aftermarket cross bar for my Chevy Traverse. I wanted something as low profile as possible so I could still get in my 7ft garage door with a Yakima Alpine lo ski box on the roof. These rails are rock solid and did not disappoint.
Easy to install great quality low profile bars for my OBW exactly what i was looking for !
A little expensive for what it does but easy to put on
The stealth bars are sturdy and low noise. But they are so close to the roof of my 2016 Escort that the knobs for attaching the J-hook kayak carrier rub the roof. I put a eighth inch hard rubber pad between the rails and the crossbars and removed some of the unthreaded portion of the knobs to make them fit to my satisfaction.
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