Recommended Crossbar Length for Jeep Gladiator with Atlas Truck Topper

Updated 04/10/2021 | Published 04/08/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Underside Tie Down Point for Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Qty 2

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Question:

I very recently purchased from you and installed a set of the Rhino-Rack Vortex Crossbars in Black 49inch RRVA126B-3 for my AT Atlas pop-up truck topper. It appears I made a mistake and did not get long enough bars for the attachments I wanted to add to the rack afterward. The topper measures 53inch wide x 122 1/2 inches long. The Rhino-Rack rails are 70inch long and 49inch apart, leaving about an inch between the rail strip and the edge of the topper. The rails will fit Thule, Yakima, and Rhino-Rack attachments. The topper is on a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The 49inch crossbars I bought are too short to attach the Underside tie-downs S606 that each measure 2inch wide, and I also want to add the Vortex eyebolts S604 for the top channel and maybe additional shovel/paddle attachments in the future. I am trying to figure out if I need 54inch or 59inch crossbars and how much overhang is acceptable? The fit guidelines for the Gladiator itself call for a 59inch crossbar RRVA150B-2, and I am leaning in that direction for the topper. Still, the topper is slightly narrower than the truck cab. The 49inch crossbars were an expensive mistake, and I would really appreciate your help on the proper crossbar length so that I may get it right this time. Thank you for your help it is definitely appreciated!

asked by: Michael M

Expert Reply:

I recommend going with the 59" crossbars # RRVA150B-2 as you're thinking of; you can generally have as much as 6" on each side of the vehicle and still be inside of the distance that the mirrors are going to stick out. You could potentially also go up to the Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 65" Long - Qty 2 # RRVA165B-2, which are 65" long and would give you 6" on each side of the Jeep and plenty of room for everything.

With that said, using those 59" bars is going to give you about 5" of space on each side of the rails (3" each side outside of the topper) and will be sufficient to use the Underside Tie Down Point for Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Qty 2 # RRS606. If you also need the eyebolts those are available with the Eyebolts for Rhino-Rack Aero/Sportz Crossbars - Qty 2 # S604.

expert reply by: Erik B