Is It Normal for Roof Rack on 2020 Ford Escape to Not Be Level

Updated 11/25/2022 | Published 11/24/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima CoreBar Crossbars - Steel - Black - 60" Long - Qty 2

(118)

$209.95

BaseClip Fit Kit for Yakima BaseLine Roof Rack Towers - Qty 2

(887)

$71.95

BaseClip Fit Kit for Yakima BaseLine Roof Rack Towers - Qty 2

(887)

$71.95

Yakima Same Key System (SKS) Lock Cores (QTY 4)

(464)

$69.95

BaseLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Naked Roofs - Qty 4

(88)

$274.95

Question:

I have a 2020 Ford Escape with a naked roof. I recently installed a Yakima roof rack using the Baseline tower system, 60inch crossbars, clips 137 and 152. I installed everything to correct measurements and pitch angles per the Yakima instructions the crossbars are supposed to sit 28inch apart measured bar-front to bar-front. At that distance 28 my rear crossbar sits higher than my front crossbar, because of the roofs curve. If I put the rear crossbar at 31.5inch distance, it sits level with the front i.e., same height off the ground I checked with my construction level, and I can still attach the clips securely. The rear crossbars pitch angle seems fine at both 28inch and 31.5 Is the rear crossbar supposed to sit higher than the front crossbar? Or is it supposed to be level with the front crossbar ?

asked by: Mary

Expert Reply:

Thanks for reaching out!

Roof rack manufacturers choose the strongest parts of the vehicle to have the roof racks positioned so while it will be a little uneven, you'll want to install the Yakima CoreBar roof rack for your 2020 Ford Escape (parts listed below) per the Yakima instructions. It's actually really common for the crossbars to be uneven height-wise due to the curve of the roof, like what you said. As long as you install it per the instructions you'll be good to go!

Here are the parts for your Escape (for future reference):

60" CoreBar Crossbars - # Y00422
BaseLine Towers - # Y28TR
BaseClips - # Y06137 and # Y06152
Lock Core Kit - # Y07204 (optional)