When you’re packed up for a trip, the last thing you want to hear is that constant whistle from your roof rack. The Vortex Aero crossbars are shaped to cut through the air, and the rubberized Vortex strips in the top channels create controlled airflow that keeps wind noise down. Even at highway speeds, you get a smooth, quiet ride without needing an extra fairing to calm the air.
Some racks look bulky or stick out past the roofline, but not this one. The Rhino-Rack RVP uses a flush design where the bars meet the legs with no overhang. The slim, elliptical aluminum bars give it a streamlined, from-the-factory look that blends right in. It’s a setup that looks like it belongs there—not something you bolted on as an afterthought.
When you’re hauling gear, you want strength without a ton of extra weight. These structural-grade anodized aluminum crossbars have H-shaped internal extrusions for serious rigidity while staying light and rustproof. The glass-reinforced nylon legs are UV treated and built to handle weather extremes. With a 220-lb weight capacity and durable construction, this setup is ready for everything from kayaks to camping gear.
Whether it’s bikes in the spring or skis in the winter, this rack adapts to how you travel. Each crossbar has a built-in C-channel for channel-mounted accessories like watersport carriers or ski racks. You can also attach most clamp-on accessories right to the bars. The Vortex strips cushion your mounts and stay easy to adjust—you can remove and reinsert them around hardware without cutting or fussing.
With built-in locks on each support leg, you can secure both your rack and any accessories mounted in the top channels. The locking covers give a clean finished look while keeping your gear protected. One key opens all locks, keeping things simple when you’re loading up and heading out.
Alternate Instructions
Customer Satisfaction Score:
15% were satisfied with this product
85% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
We just received our Rhino Rack cross bars for 2017 Ford Explorer. They were easy to install and look great. We plan to use these to attach a luggage basket and car top carrier.
These fit very well on the naked roof of my 2016 Toyota Highlander. Installation was simple; the kits match up perfectly with the fixed mounting points on the roof. The only somewhat tedious part was inserting the rubber strips into the c channels of the bar. Customer service was for the most part very helpful. Only hit one snag during a phone chat before I ordered: The rep. would have steered me wrong on a product if I hadn't double-checked some things independently.
Great looking rack at a good price. The rack installs in less than 30 minutes and holds my toys with ease. I like that it doesn't overhang past the roofline, it looks more custom. I know I will miss the extra length when I try putting a carrier and SUP up top but I'll give up utility for looks. You really shouldn't carry more than 150 lbs anyway. etrailer delivered the rack fast and responded to my questions promptly. I'll purchase from them again.
Love the roof racks. They were easy to install and look great on my JEEP! Etrailer made the purchase easy and I was contacted when the racks I wanted was out of stock and would take longer to receive! Excellent service and will recommend etrailer to everyone!
Makes little noise. Was easy to to put together. Use the correct washer. Recommend putting the rubber stripping on the bars first. If you don't have T30 screw a T27 works. Must download the directions for HRV, ones given are not good. Seems stronger than the clamp-on racks. I'm moving the front brace back, because it blocks the view from my moon roof. But it narrows the rack capacity. But traveling short distances should be fine.
The racks look very OEM when installed. Had an issue with initial fitment. Spoke with Etrailer and Rhino folks who were very helpful. Essentially feet of mounts needed to be shortened about 1/2 inch for flush fitting on Range Rover L322 roof line. Went very well after that. Have already placed an 80 pound kayak on and no issues with stability etc. Very well made and happy with the end result
Rack well constructed, excellent fit. However, I agree with previous reviews that the tamper-resistant security fasteners need to be replaced with socket head screws and call it a day. Think about it - torque specifications are given for the fasteners, but who has a set of tamper-resistant sockets for their torque wrench sitting around. And the small tool that is sent is a poor choice; how are you going to get enough torque on the screw?. The safety of the items that will be carried are in much jeopardy. Anyway, I replaced the security fasteners with socket head screws, but note - the holes in the metal adaptor are too small for the socket heads to go through, so some mechanical aptitude has to take over. If you go with socket heads, you'll need to use 8x20mm for the rear because of the adaptor configuration. Again, really happy so far with the rack quality and fit, but the security screws have got to be reconsidered.
Cross bars worked perfect on my Grand Cherokee rails.
Felt saddles and rubber forward saddles do as described. Allow my 16' kayak to slide.
Like that they all lock. Covers look good when cross bars aren't installed.
Product arrived exactly as described and several days faster than I could find it shipped on Amazon. Simple installation with included instructions and online videos. The rack seems to be very sturdy and quiet thus far, I paired it with a Yakima Frontloader bike mount and it fit perfect. This product fits better and looks much better than other crossbars on the market that extend past the sides of the vehicle.
So far so good! Haven't loaded it yet but it is sturdy and solid. Everything came perfectly cut to fit, zero issues whatsoever! The rails were aftermarket and there were no issues with those being compatible with the cross bars either. Plan to add bike racks and cargo box. etrailer gets it right!
Worked perfect for my 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. Purchased to pair with Rhino-Rack S512 kayak roof racks.
Perfect fit, easy installation, 10mm socket wrench,Phillips screwdriver, safety pin is all that is needed
This is an excellent product for my 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The order was delivered in 2 days. I received all the parts with clear instructions for assembly and installation. The installation was easy and they look very clean on the vehicle, as opposed to the Mopar rails that extend beyond the bases. The only question I had was I'm not sure why there is storage for the included Torx wrench in the base when you need a 10mm socket to both remove the rack/bases assembly from the metal/rubber mounts and to attach the plastic covers for when the racks are not in use. The Torx wrench is only for completely removing the mounts. Maybe just so you won't lose it. I found the online videos very helpful as well. I also purchased the 27" ski rack which is also an excellent product and will hold 6 pairs of skis if they are back to back. I haven't used it yet but I believe there is enough height clearance to mount one ski face down without the ski binding hitting the roof. I am very happy with etrailer.com for providing everything needed from materials to installation support.
Overview
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I purchased these for my Grand Cherokee after looking at options from Yakima and Thule. Only Thule made an equivalent model (aero bars that fit direct to the rails with no unsightly over-hang) but they were more than twice the price of these. I figured its pretty unlikely Thule makes a product over twice as good so gave these a shot.
Video Demo & Fitting
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The video etrailer provides for these bars is a nice touch. The demonstrator only shows the install of the rear bar which is a good call because the rear bar is the tricky one. You should do as shown and partially screw down one side, then the other, and repeat until both sides are fully screwed down. Its tempting to just bang out one side and do the other but because the fit is TIGHT that doesn't work.
Point to note - she says that the mounts on the bars screw in with the smaller 20mm long screws and the bars screw to the mounts with the 25mm screws. That is THE OPPOSITE of what you should do (also the opposite of what the instructions say to do). :-) 25mm screws for mounts into rails is the ticket.
Getting the rubber mounts into the brackets is easy in some cases, and a total PITA for others. Probably a QC issue - just use warm water and soap to make it simpler.
I didn't have to take a mallet to the bars to get them into the mounts, they slipped right in.
You will have to cut a small section of rubber channel guard to complete the block out of the accessories channel. This isn't mentioned in the instructions. Seems a little sloppy of Rhino not to cut the rubber to the right size so that this isn't necessary but whatever.
As others note, you will strip the 'security screws' (must be a Aussie thing) if you just torque everything and rush the job. If you plan on taking the kit off and on the truck a lot,
Taking my time this took me over an hour but it was my first time.
Delivery
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I ordered late on the Thursday before Christmas from the very helpful Michelle S and with 2 day shipping was told to expect it on the 26th. Amazingly, the bars arrived on the SATURDAY, 36 hours after I'd placed my order. Faster than the 2 business day shipping I ordered!
Road Test
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As I want the leave the bars on permanently, I really wanted bars that make no appreciable noise at speed. Did a quick highway test at up to 80 mph and couldn't hear the bars making any sound at all which is GREAT. Granted, I have a lift and AT tires - if you're running highway tires and regular suspension YMMV.
Overall
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I like'em! Good value. Bit of a pain to fit but worth it.
Installation was straightforward and I feel stronger than the factory crossbars which clamp on, as these cross bars screw into the connect points for the rails. These rails are also flatter than the factory installed rails. But are not perfectly flat. Roof-mounted bike racks may still lean a little bit. Which what I was trying to solve by replacing the factory cross rails/bars.
Just wanted to say thanks. The Rhino Rack crossbar kit arrived custom fit for our 2021 Grand Cherokee. Solid, fits perfectly. etrailer's video for installation was a huge help.
Great price and value, Locks included! No wind noise and they look pretty sharp. Shipping and delivery could not have been smoother.
Well packed, easy instructions, solid installation feeling with professional results.
Dressed in business casual, I removed the covers and installed the racks in less than 30 minutes so we could drive it on the expressway and check for wind noise and no wind noise.
The Allen wrench tool worked great, there was minor alignment on one nut, other wise, with a small flat headed screw driver to remove the covers, and a Phillips head screw driver to secure the bars, it was really straight forward and easy to get professional results.
We just attached a hundred pounds of wood and it rode perfectly and again no noticeable noise or issues of any kind.
I kept the heavy plastic packing and slit it to protect the bars from scuffing, wrapping the clear plastic and securing it with small strips of 3M duct tape and then remover them.
We used one of the packing bags to place the instructions, the old covers, and the covers provided and the tool to store with the spare tire.
Great design, we like the black, on a black car and it works great.
Thanks for a great product and your video guides ensure even a first timer, has the confidence to do it and do it right.
One recommendation: Deburr the inside of the aluminum extrusion (mounting bracket) and the tube slides in easily for everyone. Regardless, it went together with a little extra pressure.
I purchased these crossbars for my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The fit guide from Rhino Rack indicated that they are "not confirmed to fit." However, I took a chance and they fit perfectly. They actually look like they were installed at the factory.
Finally finished my Rhino-rack roof rack install on my 2022 Hyundai Kona. I had problems understanding confusing directions and found out after calling and sending a video that there were wedges missing from my original shipment. I thought the bolts were too long only because pieces were missing. I thank Wayne from customer service for helping me figure this out and shipping them out next day air. I am happy with the install and they are sturdy and high quality. Just think they should make directions easier to understand. Happy customer just in time as we are planning a vacation starting tomorrow night to the beach! Good job etrailer.com!
top quality materials, instructions could have been a little more detailed but it was pretty easy to assemble/install otherwise. I wish Rino-Rack have a silver/brush aluminum version instead of only black (the box actually shows a silver rack). Haven't driven with the racks installed yet so I don't know how quiet they are. I have a set of Thule Aero bars that are whisper quiet so I'm hoping these are the same. I would recommend.....
I purchased a Rhino Rack RVP Roof Rack (RRRVP27) for my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. The product installation was straightforward and the crossbars have a sleek finished look. I use the crossbars in conjunction with two Thule Sidearm 594XT bicycle racks and the setup works great.
I appreciate that the product blends in nicely with the look of the vehicle as the crossbars do not extend past the roof line and that security locks are included with the system.
One drawback is that the crossbars, which are designed to be whisper quiet, whistle while driving. I have a panoramic sunroof which may be a contributing factor to the increased noise levels and this may vary with a traditional roof.
Rack is solid, attractive, and well made. The "rack kit" comprises three separate kits; the base kit which includes the brackets and hardware that attach to the oem rails on the vehicle, the feet kit which attach to the crossbars to allow the crossbars to attach to the base rail brackets. Consequently, I found the printed instructions lacking in content and continuity (more on that later), but overall the install is reasonably straight forward and intuitive.
As someone with arthritic thumbs I found inserting the mounting screws and attaching the rubber skirts to the base rail brackets, along with insertion of the rubber strips into the crossbars to be somewhat of a challenge. In addition, the feet kit was short on mounting hardware and the hex-head cap screws supplied were not desirable for mounting feet to base brackets so I sourced replacement hardware locally.
Back to content and continuity of written instructions. No mention that crossbars were location specific and cut too different lengths and can be distressing if you don't think to check fit at the start of installation.
Otherwise, the rack looks good and is solid on the roof. I have not noticed any appreciable increase of wind noise before/after rack install and would not hesitate to recommend to a friend.
P.S. Jesse and the folks at etrailer were great to work with/answer questions.
Great customer service great prices easy to install. I really, really love it.
Great product! Needs better instructions. Rather than trying to picture the very small torx screw head in figure 8, show leader lines from the screw to the correct bracket holes to be used. Otherwise, I'm quite happy with these cross bars.
I got this roof rack for transporting my canoe on my 2012 CRV - the roof rack installs very easily and didn't take much time to put together. It goes on/off the car easily, so I can take the bars off when I don't need them. I don't notice much noise or difference in driving quality with the bars on vs off.
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