Can I Upgrade To 71" Rhino-Rack Heavy Duty Crossbars Instead Of 59" Crossbars On 2012 Jeep Wrangler?

Updated 05/17/2021 | Published 05/14/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Rhino-Rack Heavy-Duty Roof Rack Crossbars - Black - 71" Long - Qty 2

(194)

$239.98

Rhino-Rack Heavy-Duty Roof Rack Crossbars - Black - 59" Long - Qty 2

(194)

$219.98

Roof Rack Leg Spacer Blocks for Rhino-Rack Heavy-Duty Crossbars - 5 mm Thick - Qty 4

(5)

$39.98

Rhino-Rack Backbone Roof Rack Mounting System

(62)

$539.99

Rhino-Rack Quick Mount Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars - RTC and RT Roof Rack Tracks - Qty 4

(187)

$299.99

Question:

Need extra long Rhino 71”heavy duty bars to lay kayaks flat on Jeep Wrangler JK . Does the c-channel on bottom of cross bar run the full length? Or just towards the ends? Will 71”HD fit 2012 JK using backbone system and rlcp legs?

asked by: Douglas W

Expert Reply:

For your 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with hard top, Rhino-Rack recommends using Rhino-Rack Heavy-Duty Roof Rack Crossbars - Black - 59" # RB1500B-2 along with Legs # RRRLT600, Backbone Mounting System # RRRJKB1, and Leg Spacers # RRQMHD05-2.

While Rhino-Rack does not suggest using the 71" Heavy-Duty Crossbars # RB1800B-2 that you were looking at, you can certainly use them as long as they are not longer than the widest point of your vehicle which is usually the mirrors. My research tells me that your Jeep is about 73" wide in which these 71" bars would work well for you. I attached a couple demonstration videos for you.

expert reply by: Andrew N