Avoid Rhino Rack...And What to Consider With Alternatives

[No Known Boundaries]

While it is certainly more affordable and convenient to use standard load bars than commit to a full roof rack, trouble may follow if you're not careful. I outline my experience, as well as what I think can be done to help avoid disaster in the future.

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[Dimitri_Raptis]

Interesting. I have always used Frontrunner roof racks and have been extremely happy.

 

[MOAK]

I'm not surprised by this. Decades ago all that was available were steel racks that would eventually rust out from the inside, even with constant cleaning and re-painting every couple of off seasons. Then Frontrunner introduced an aluminum rack in 2000. In 2008 or so ARB followed suit and introduced their aluminum rack. The South Africans and the Australians get this stuff right. I've had my Frontrunner racks ( plural as there is one on the trailer ) since 2012 and not a single bolt or nut has ever worked its way loose. They don't rattle, and the rack on the trailer supports our Tepui ruggedized tent which weighs 162 lbs. Do Frontrunners or ARBs ever fail? Yes, they do, the blade type feet used on more modern vehicles, can be a problem if not installed correctly. Bottom line, 85 million South Africans and Australians can t be wrong about overlanding equipment. ( tongue firmly in cheek )

 

[Dimitri_Raptis]

Could not agree more.

 

[pcstockton]

I'm not surprised by this. Decades ago all that was available were steel racks that would eventually rust out from the inside, even with constant cleaning and re-painting every couple of off seasons. Then Frontrunner introduced an aluminum rack in 2000. In 2008 or so ARB followed suit and introduced their aluminum rack. The South Africans and the Australians get this stuff right. I've had my Frontrunner racks ( plural as there is one on the trailer ) since 2012 and not a single bolt or nut has ever worked its way loose. They don't rattle, and the rack on the trailer supports our Tepui ruggedized tent which weighs 162 lbs. Do Frontrunners or ARBs ever fail? Yes, they do, the blade type feet used on more modern vehicles, can be a problem if not installed correctly. Bottom line, 85 million South Africans and Australians can t be wrong about overlanding equipment. ( tongue firmly in cheek )

That is my experience with a Rhino on the backbone on my 5th gen 4RNR. I even got in a bad accident that totaled my rig and it didn't even budge. Front Runner are equally nice. My current Prinsu is fine but I wish it was a Rhino or FR. Load bars are crap no matter who makes them.

 

[No Known Boundaries]

Load bars are crap no matter who makes them.

Which kinda ties into my point at the end of the video. The cynic in me thinks that they're willing to just say, "Yeah, sure. Stick a tent on em," despite knowing that they're not really up to snuff. The buys have got to outweigh the warranties by a landslide, and leaving that market untapped would be like having money burning a hole in their pocket.

 

[danwyandt]

I have the Rhinorack pioneer platform. Has many harsh miles on it with ToughStuff Alpha @200 lbs, 2 Zarges and awnings, propane-you get the idea.
Has never moved, loosened, or rusted. I did replace the factory rails with Rhinorack rails, and used 6 legs (no crossbars). Maybe that is the trick.