[HDH]

Has anyone installed the factory Ford Transit roof rack? I was thinking about getting this and would like to get a ladder as well. The Dutch Ford Transit brochure shows the roof rack and ladder offered by Ford.

Roof rack: 1885851
Ladder: 1877184 / 1877185

 

[HDH]

See picture:

 

[lepelch]

Yes, I bought and installed this. So far I've used two bars to hold a roof-top tent. I plan on using a third bar up front for the solar panels.
So far I'm pleased with them.
Caveat....I followed the instructions to install to a tee.....then 3 days later I cleaned the van and each penetration location leaked into the van!!
Call me naive but apparently I was supposed to have used silicone sealant at the rubber boots....duhhh....but of course the installation instructions did not say that.....made me real nervous....
I have yet to ride out a big rain storm or drive in wind driven rain so jury is still out....
I used plumbers tape on the threaded hex nut into the factory receiver and meticulously sealed all parts of the boot with silicon sealant....so hopefully o.k.

these are much less expensive than going to an up fitter/ rack store and getting a Thule or Yakima setup. Seems the quality is there....other than the initial issue above I'm pleased.

 

[HDH]

Lepelch,
Thank you for your reply. I am going to buy these bars and see what type of basket I can mount on it.
Did you install a ladder?

 

[jhtransit]

Yes, I bought and installed this.

Could you tell me what the distance is from the highest point on the crowned roof to the highest part of the rack? ie How much does the rack change the vehicle vertical clearance?

 

[lepelch]

The distance is roughly 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" top of crown to top of rack.

I installed an after market ladder on the back door to access the tent.

 

[HDH]

Installed the factory roof rack.

Installed my Ford factory roof rack today. The Ford dealer told me yesterday that there is a 3 bar kit for the short wheelbase and a 4 bar kit for the long wheelbase vans. There was no price difference according to the dealer so I ordered the 4 bar kit.
Since I have the regular wheelbase with the medium roof I only used 3 bars and now have 1 spare (or for sale if you need one).


Based on what Lepelch wrote earlier, I decided to use plenty of silicon around the rubber base for the mounting bracket. At 20 Nm these brackets get tightened pretty well and the rubber base should keep the water out but a little silicon won't hurt.


Now I am looking for a large cargo basket that will be mounted on the rack, a ladder and an awning that is going to be bolted to the rack as well.





Any suggestions regarding a solid but light awning?


Dometic, Carefree or Fiamma?

 

[audiopyle]

I noticed that about the 4 bar rack being priced the same as the 3 bar rack, and wondered if all the pieces would fit the same. It's great that they do, and if everybody that buys the kit gets the 4 bar set then there should soon be a bunch of extra bars available for guys that may need only a pair for mounting a solar panel or such.

 

[lepelch]

It certainly seemed intuitive that the rubber boots would create a good seal, but on my first pass (without silicon) they were leaking like a sieve. I couldn't believe my eyes.
Anyone tempted shouldn't even try it....without the silicone

 

[lepelch]

I'm going to go with Fiamma....I have too many other expenditures so I have to put it off a while....the bummer is that I need to locate the mounting brackets and the directions for installation don't come with the mounting brackets....only the awning itself....(I bought the brackets already)
the factory rep was not very helpful in getting me the specs....presumably they mount along an extrusion so can be mounted where needed

anyone else mounted a fiamma?

 

[HDH]

It certainly seemed intuitive that the rubber boots would create a good seal, but on my first pass (without silicon) they were leaking like a sieve. I couldn't believe my eyes.
Anyone tempted shouldn't even try it....without the silicone

Thanks for the tip. I used lots of silicon because I don't like leaks and don't want to remove it to fix it.

I'm going to go with Fiamma....I have too many other expenditures so I have to put it off a while....the bummer is that I need to locate the mounting brackets and the directions for installation don't come with the mounting brackets....only the awning itself....(I bought the brackets already)
the factory rep was not very helpful in getting me the specs....presumably they mount along an extrusion so can be mounted where needed

anyone else mounted a fiamma?

I did some research and it looks like Fiamma is the winner. Probably the F45S 10' long.
I also looked at the ARB awning and liked the price and simplicity. The problem with the ARB awning is that it needs to be unrolled by hand, which is fine for SUV's with reachable roofs. It doesn't work very well for the high roofs of the Transit.
I'll mount the Rhino Pioneer rack with welded side rails first and then I'll figure out what type of bracket I need to buy or build to mount the awning.

 

[lepelch]

I'm going to go with the 11'-6". Wise choice with Fiamma. Keep in mind that the front body flares in, so the third bracket will have to have a shim to make it flush (in plane) with the other two brackets.

You may be getting yours before me. If so could you scan or post the installation instructions when you receive it? I will be mounting my upper rear cabinets in a couple of weeks and need to have the mounting plates installed before those cabinets go in. I can;t install the mounting plates without knowing the criteria for where the 3 brackets can be installed laterally along the length.

 

[JP4]

I'm going to go with the 11'-6". Wise choice with Fiamma. Keep in mind that the front body flares in, so the third bracket will have to have a shim to make it flush (in plane) with the other two brackets.

You may be getting yours before me. If so could you scan or post the installation instructions when you receive it? I will be mounting my upper rear cabinets in a couple of weeks and need to have the mounting plates installed before those cabinets go in. I can;t install the mounting plates without knowing the criteria for where the 3 brackets can be installed laterally along the length.

I perused the Fiamma mounting instructions and one of the warnings was to make sure that the end brackets are mounted right at the ends of the awning.
I went out and looked at my roof and it looks like there's no way to get a bracket even close to the front edge if you want the awning to cover the whole sliding door since the roof slopes so far back.
This might not be a problem if you're mounting to a roof rack, but for mounting through the body, a bracket might need to be fabricated to support the forward edge of the awning.
JP

 

[lepelch]

Yes, I saw another post where he had to fashion a shim to build it out at the flared front.
Can you refer me to where you found the installation instructions?
Maybe they are finally attaching the pdfs or I just couldn't find them. (Fiamma usa?)

 

[HDH]

I'm going to go with the 11'-6". Wise choice with Fiamma. Keep in mind that the front body flares in, so the third bracket will have to have a shim to make it flush (in plane) with the other two brackets.

You may be getting yours before me. If so could you scan or post the installation instructions when you receive it? I will be mounting my upper rear cabinets in a couple of weeks and need to have the mounting plates installed before those cabinets go in. I can;t install the mounting plates without knowing the criteria for where the 3 brackets can be installed laterally along the length.

My plan is to mount the awning on the roof rack. Fiamma and/or Rhino have brackets for this or I could fabricate them myself. I plan to order the awning that is a little longer than the roof rack.

 

[Wilder]

Hey y'all, thanks for the great info.

I too am looking to mount a roof rack and ladder to our new med roof.

Where do you find the factory roof rack and ladder? I can't seem to find much online. Do I just visit my local Ford dealer?

I like the look of this one, but $$$!
http://www.aluminess.com/ford/transit-van/roof-rack/

Approx how much does the factory setup cost?

 

[HDH]

Hey y'all, thanks for the great info.

I too am looking to mount a roof rack and ladder to our new med roof.

Where do you find the factory roof rack and ladder? I can't seem to find much online. Do I just visit my local Ford dealer?

I like the look of this one, but $$$!
http://www.aluminess.com/ford/transit-van/roof-rack/

Approx how much does the factory setup cost?

The factory rack are basically 3 load bars for the regular wheelbase or 4 load bars for the long wheelbase. Your Ford dealer should have it in stock or be able to get it for you overnight. I used the factory rack (load bars) as a base for my Rhino Pioneer Rack with welded side bars (all aluminum). Just installed it today. A bit of a hassle to get it up on the roof but with the help of my daughter I was able to get it on.


I talked to Aluminess before buying what I have now. They told me to order the Aluminess rack through a distributor since that would save me $100 on shipping. The shipping cost for the Aluminess rack would add another $300 - $400 to the already expensive setup.
When I went to the local distributor they told me they didn't want to deal with Aluminess racks since they never fit right. They then tried to sell me their in house built rack for $3,000.
I decided to do everything myself and save a bundle. It may not be as pretty, but it works very well. I'll post some pictures.




The Ford Transit factory load bars are $415.00
The Rhino Rack (84" x 56") was $891.00 at CARiD (shipping included)

 

[HDH]

The Rhino rack installed.

I wish the rack was a little longer, but this is the largest off the shelve rack I could find. It should work fine for what I need.
The next step is finding a ladder and ordering the Fiamma awning.
The European Ford website shows a factory ladder but this is not offered by Ford in the USA. There are several aftermarket ladders that mount on the rear door for about $180. However, I like the Aluminess driver side ladder but this is pricey and I am not sure how this will work with my Rhino rack.

 

[jhtransit]

How is the Rhino platform attached to the bars?

 

[Roscoe]

HDH did you have those front and rear tint put on ? If so please post details!
Here is the ladder rack that dropped down
http://youtu.be/PDkx87s6FmA