Racks -- removable for kayaks, bikes, etc.

PeterR · May 8, 2015

At the suggestion of tthrsn here:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/accessories-add-ons/8673-rack-construction.html

This seems like a good time to discuss removable racks for kayaks, bikes, and so forth, like Thule, Yakima and other brands. In particular I am interested to see if the after-market manufacturers will use minimal base plates which can be bolted to the roof using the Transit's pre-threaded holes in the roof, then left in place in order to remove the racks.

PeterR · May 8, 2015

Copying Geographer's post from the other thread, along with my questions. It will be interesting to see how Thule, Yakima and other manufacturers gear up for the Transit, and how many will move away from the rain gutter method of attaching the racks.

Geographer said:
It looks great. Thule has brought to market a rack connection for the Transit's roof, It consists of a Podium Foot 460 paired with a fit kit 3138. I getting these so I can reinstall my existing Thule kayak carriers to my new Transit 350.

PeterR said:
Thanks, I have been waiting for the after-market rack mfg. to adapt to the Transit.

Will this setup be attached to the threaded holes in the Transit's roof, or clipped to the edge of the roof somehow? The illustrations are not definitive IMO.

The 460 foot pack is shown at the edge of another vehicle's roof here:

http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produ.../products/carriers-and-racks/roof-racks/feet/thule-podium-foot-pack-460-_-34826

But the base plate for the fit kit looks like it could bolt down to the threaded holes in the Transit's roof (the right-hand photo):

http://www.thule.com/en-us/ca/produ...products/carriers-and-racks/roof-racks/fit-kits/thule-fit-kit-kit3138-_-kit3138

Although the adapters on the left and center look like they may be intended to go at the edge of the roof.

Thanks.

Airedrifter · May 8, 2015

Yakima make "artificial gutters." That is a plate that bolts down on a flat surface. I've used them in the past. With the plate installed you can attach any rain gutter latch, be it yakima, thule, or off brand. I'm certain than you could drill a hole in one and use it on a Transit. I'm thinking it would fit right in the indention around the anchor point.

PeterR · May 13, 2015

Are you familiar with the new WhispBar rack system from Yakima? I have emailed them for more information per my recent post. Thanks.

PeterR · May 8, 2015

Airedrifter,

I'm liking your base plates as being heavier duty and more versatile in the long run than anything the manufacturers are likely to have,

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/118497-post8.html

but let's see what they come up with. I only need two simple cross bars on my low roof Wagon near the back probably (four attachment points), for misc. and a wide 9' dinghy upside down.

I've always had custom removable racks made for my vans, from square tube steel like yours, and if the connection with the "towers" were worked out, the racks should be easy to install and remove when needed. I don't need a large permanent flat rack.

Wonder if the "gas pods" being discussed for fuel efficiency would fit over something like your custom towers to streamline them when the racks are not attached?

PS -- Here is a photo of one Transit roof's flat mounting points:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1857&d=1408896813

I think this is an extended length van BTW. My short low roof Wagon has a total of six flats.

EddieZ · May 8, 2015

PeterR said:
PS -- Here is a photo of one Transit roof's flat mounting points:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1857&d=1408896813

I think this is an extended length van BTW. My short low roof Wagon has a total of six flats.

I happened to see a Transit the other day, with a rack that must have been moved from another vehicle. It was about 6 feet long, had 8 footpads, and NONE of the mounted into the provided weight distribution points. I cringed when I saw it... all footpads further inboard, with new holes, and slathered sealer. I figure the total weight of rack and load is about 160 pounds, so, that could be worse. I didn't see any deformation.

PeterR · May 12, 2015

I have emailed Yakima for feedback, including their new WhispBar division:

http://www.whispbar.com/

Check out the video -- just Madison Ave. flashy -- FWIW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hpRCcCuxV60

Is anyone familiar with these new racks, in general? They look like they might adapt well to the Transit's pre-threaded roof rack connection points.

ted · May 14, 2015

Always liked those bars from Yakima. Great thing about them, aside from products of theirs with large markings, for the most part they appear "OEM"

PeterR · May 14, 2015

Yakima's reply regarding racks for the 2015 Transit:

"We need to test every vehicle as it comes out with our racks to make sure that the fit is safe. Our Fit Team has not had an opportunity to test that vehicle. We cannot test anything until one becomes available from a dealership and then it has to go through rigorous testing to be sure it is a safe fit. Many times, once we’ve gone through all of the testing we can use one of our existing tower systems and call out the fit. That usually just takes a month or so after we’ve seen it. If we cannot use an existing system, we need to develop something especially for it and that does take at least 6 months to go through the development process."

.
.
.

[sound of dull thud]

PeterR · May 15, 2015

FYI Geographer's update in the other thread:

Geographer said:
I will let you know how things progress. REI has had to special order the fit kit from Thule's Connecticut facility.

Geographer · May 15, 2015

Thule and Yakima Sale

If you happen to be a member of REI, Thule and Yakima equipment is on sale for 20% off of retail prices.

PeterR · May 23, 2015

Geographer said:
If you happen to be a member of REI, Thule and Yakima equipment is on sale for 20% off of retail prices.

Looks like Yakima's Bolt Toploader artificial gutter will do the trick, per my last post. Is this what REI is getting you from Thule (which will still require drilling IMO), or does Thule have a new gutter specifically for the Transit, like Rhino does?

Thanks

Outdoorplayer · May 19, 2015

Hello all,

I'm close to pulling the trigger, got almost all the details worked out with the dealership. They told me today to expect 4 months after I place the order. This has me thinking of the little personal touches. One of which is a roof rack. I won't need it all the time, just for the road trips.

Has anyone looked into the option of adding the permanent tracks to the roof of the transit? Yakima offers multiple lengths
http://www.yakima.com/shop/racksystems/permanent-installation/tracks60-w-bolts

I've used this on my truck topper and it works well. I can remove the crossbars when I don't need to transport kayaks or rocket box. Helps the fuel economy and it's pretty quick and easy to take on & off. I don't have the transit yet, but I'm thinking this product could be fitted into the existing rack mounts on the transit roof, as detailed by Airedrifter in his beautiful custom rack posts

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/accessories-add-ons/8673-rack-construction.html

Some modification would be needed at the attachment of track to roof mount to create a good (aka "dry") seal, but you would have some flexibility to bar spacing front to rear. Maybe Mystiko can shed some light on his attachment of the "Z" shape angle iron he mounted to attach his rack system.

This forum has been a great resource, any and all input is welcome.

Cheers

PeterR · May 19, 2015

Outdoorplayer said:
Hello all,
. .
This forum has been a great resource, any and all input is welcome.
. . .

Welcome to the forum! You obviously have done your home work reading about Airedrifter's and Mystiko's racks, both works of art . . . I hope you saw my earlier post that Yakima seems to be behind the curve here in coming up with a base plate which would work on the Transit's roof, but who know what they might bring to market soon . . .

It will be interesting to see what Geographer receives from Thule also.

One tip for this site, if you want new feedback from an earlier poster, it really helps to hit the Quote button below in order to reply. This way the original poster (usually) gets an email notifying them that they have been quoted. So even if they are not monitoring the site any more, they may reply to your questions/comments.

You can edit the quote you get (as I did above with your previous post), so as to minimize the redundancy, yet enable the email notification process. Just be sure to leave the correct coding at the start and end of the quote [the stuff inside the brackets].

Good luck with your Transit order!

PeterR · May 20, 2015

FYI the Prime Design website has been updated with lots of photos and videos of the AluRack and ErgoRack systems for the Transit -- not exactly removable but FYI and FWIW:

http://www.primedesign.net/products/alurack/

http://www.primedesign.net/vehicle-product/ford-transit/ford-transit-ergorack/

Waiting to hear from alarmist whether the company's Transit systems use baseplates which bolt into the Transit's pre-threaded roof holes:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/accessories-add-ons/3402-ladder-rack-options.html

If the base plates are sold separately, they could be part of a DIY removable rack system IMO.

orton · May 20, 2015

PeterR said:
Waiting to hear from alarmist whether the company's Transit systems use baseplates which bolt into the Transit's pre-threaded roof holes:

If the base plates are sold separately, they could be part of a DIY removable rack system IMO.

If you want baseplates drop by your local weldingfabrication shop and have them make some.

marvinwus · May 21, 2015

Rhino Rack

Rhino rack has an adapter for the Transit. Choose the RLTP profile for the legs.

PeterR · May 21, 2015

marvinwus said:
Rhino rack has an adapter for the Transit. Choose the RLTP profile for the legs.

Thanks I see that Amazon carries Rhino Racks:

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-Track-Tracks-2-Inch/dp/B00827644O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432233323&sr=8-1&keywords=rhino+roof+racks+rltp[/ame]

Are the false gutters the right part you call an adapter? I haven't found a picture of it yet, but it may be listed at the bottom of this page:

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/ute-and-canopy-racks/canopy/false-gutter

Do you know the correct part number for the false gutter which might work on the Transit's roof?

Edit PS -- looks like the answers may be here, but I have to go out for a while:

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/fit-...n-us/fit-my-vehicle/results/790/ford-transit-2dr-wagon-low-roof-xl-xlt-14-to-15

Correct fit kit here?

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-Fitting-Straight-Flat-Edge/dp/B00LO74V1C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432233985&sr=8-1&keywords=rhino+roof+fit+kit+vafk1[/ame]

Thanks for the lead, marvinwus.

JP4 · May 21, 2015

Looks like these pads http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/roof-rack-parts/spacers/vortex-bar-rl-fit-kit_va-fk1

Transit mounting instructions:

http://rhino-rack-vpm.s3.amazonaws.com/Instructions/Parts/Legs/RLTPFC.pdf

JP

JP4 · May 21, 2015

Actually, after looking at the PDF insturctions, it doesn't show those pads being used at all. Strange.
JP

PeterR · May 22, 2015

I took these instructions into the local retailer who just installed a very similar system yesterday on the roof of a Range Rover, which also has pre-threaded bolt holes in the roof apparently. At this point, it is simply a matter of choosing a cross-bar style and quantity from this page (for my low roof Wagon):

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/fit-...n-us/fit-my-vehicle/results/790/ford-transit-2dr-wagon-low-roof-xl-xlt-14-to-15

With 3 black Vortex cross-bars, the retail price is $579 for parts alone. I did not ask about lead time and availability. For instance are these Australian racks all stocked in the US?

PeterR · May 21, 2015

Indeed, the PDF you posted before shows the correct base plate for the Transit, I think, and on p. 3 of 4 it is on line 8 of the Parts List as Part No. CA1374 called the "Ford Transit Cargo Bracket." Note however that it does NOT show any waterproofing between the bracket and the roof (rubber pad, silicone caulk, etc.). 3M 5200 would be the ideal choice IMO if you know you are never going to remove the bracket!

The Rhino site shows other US retailers (online):

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/store-locations/online-stores

including one in Tigard OR (FastTrackRacks.com)

and retail(search by zip code):

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/store-locations/local-dealers

Going into one of the actual stores might help sort this out IMO.

[Edit -- 4:50 PM EDT -- A local custom car shop 8 miles away carries the Rhino line and can order these brackets (base plates). I am going to go in tomorrow to check things out.]

PeterR · May 21, 2015

Here is the parts list and illustration which shows the bracket at the bottom. Per previous post I will check out this system with the local Rhino retailer tomorrow.

marvinwus · May 22, 2015

I am still trying to figure out what Thule has to offer. The pictures of their fit kit do not make sense and the pdf instruction file does not match the kit. The rhino rack is still a real possibility.

marvinwus · May 23, 2015

I am thinking about going with Thule's artificial gutters 542. I still have the rack from my old E150 which utilized its rain gutters. Simply drill holes in the centers of the brackets and mount them using the existing holes in the roof.

PeterR · May 23, 2015

Looks like those base plates were used closer to vertical. When you lie them down on the Transit's roof, will the tower be able to grip the same edge correctly? Guessing the uplift will be too much for friction to stop. You can probably test this on your work bench. The user Geographer should be hearing from Thule soon on the base plates specifically for the Transit.

marvinwus · May 23, 2015

The Thule artificial rain gutters will work flat on the roof. The pdf file shows how this would work.

PeterR · May 23, 2015

Right you are, thanks:

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/170436/Thule-542.html#manual

http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produ...s-and-racks/roof-racks/load-accessories/thule-artificial-raingutters-542-_-1036

PeterR · May 23, 2015

Figuring Yakima already makes something like Thule, but did not have the smarts to tell me this in their earlier email.

Doh . . .

"Bolt Toploader" is Yakima's term for their artificial gutter which sits on a flat surface:

http://www.yakima.com/shop/racksystems/permanent-installation/bolt-toploader/

Would still need to drill a hole in the center for the Transit's pre-threaded holes.

Here is the Amazon link:

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-8008005-Bolt-TopLoader-Brackets/dp/B0012SDSKI/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1432399120&sr=8-1&keywords=bolt+toploader[/ame]

If one's existing towers are Q Towers, then another adapter is needed apparently. TBD over the weekend at shop.

marvinwus · May 23, 2015

The Thule gutters are 6.25" long and will have to be trimmed to slightly less than 6" to fit the Transit. I am still considering them since they will accommodate my old rack.

marvinwus · May 24, 2015

What size bolts do these mount points use?

alarmist · May 25, 2015

8mm 1.25 pitch

Geographer · May 27, 2015

I have the 350 XLT passenger wagon with ceiling/sidewall passenger airbags. Will drilling into the roof destroy the integrity of this system?

PeterR · May 27, 2015

Probably depends on where you want to drill. The roof has pre-threaded holes, to receive metric bolts for rack base plates, and these holes are covered by easily removable plastic inserts. See Airedrifter's thread linked in the long note just posted.

Do you want to drill somewhere else?

Racks -- removable for kayaks, bikes, etc.

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