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Non Factory Roof Racks And Luggage Pods

10K views 20 replies 10 participants last post by  Paulv 
#1 ·
I just ordered Rhino Roof racks and a Rhino luggage carrier (325 litres) $255.00 for the bars and $399.00 for the pod. Got the bars for trade price they are normally $280.00. Total cost $654.00 in comparison to $1400.00 it would have cost to go with for Ford gear. The sales guy I spoke to said he reckons Rhino are as good as anything around and actually preffered them over Rola (which are more expensive). Didn't do much research so not sure whether the price I got could be bettered or not. But saves heaps on the factory stuff.
Just came back from a 520 km trip after its first service (which was done at 3800km) averaged 10.8 litres on that trip which included a couple of hours in Melbourne traffic which I am pretty happy about. I will be going on a fair trip with the family in a couple of weeks with the pod on top and will be interested to see how fuel consumption is effected. Will post the results after the trip for anyboby who may be interested.
 
#3 ·
With the standard Ford carry bars does anybody know what the toothed bit of plastic strip running across the top of each bar is for - and which side (the toothed side or the straight side) faces forward? I think with some of these fittings the dealers are on the same learning curve as the customers!
 
#4 ·
new2ford said:
With the standard Ford carry bars does anybody know what the toothed bit of plastic strip running across the top of each bar is for - and which side (the toothed side or the straight side) faces forward? I think with some of these fittings the dealers are on the same learning curve as the customers!
From memory I think on mine it is facing forward.

Mine was fitted at the dealership, the instructions should indicate fitting order. So as long as the fitter read the instrunction, there should be no problems.

I had them fitted a month after I got the Terri and on the first country drive with the bars on I heard a roaring noise. At first I had no idea what it was because it was only just audible & almost sounded like a bearing rumble. The sound comes in at 115km/h, it's not to bad & I can live with it.
 
#5 ·
new2ford said:
With the standard Ford carry bars does anybody know what the toothed bit of plastic strip running across the top of each bar is for - and which side (the toothed side or the straight side) faces forward? I think with some of these fittings the dealers are on the same learning curve as the customers!
The toothed bit of plastic is the "eagles wing". The pointed eadge should face foward, and is there to disrupt airflow so that minimal noise is generated from the bars - which works well on mine, no noise from the bars at regular highway speeds.

BTW - if you haven't worked out yet, the bars extend ******ds to a total of about 1200mm of flat bar, using the inboard button to release them!
 
#6 ·
TerritoryiAL said:
I just ordered Rhino Roof racks and a Rhino luggage carrier (325 litres) $255.00 for the bars and $399.00 for the pod. Got the bars for trade price they are normally $280.00. Total cost $654.00 in comparison to $1400.00 it would have cost to go with for Ford gear. The sales guy I spoke to said he reckons Rhino are as good as anything around and actually preffered them over Rola (which are more expensive). Didn't do much research so not sure whether the price I got could be bettered or not. But saves heaps on the factory stuff.
First ... may I say that everyone has the right "to pay their money and pick their choice" and sometimes we can grumble about some of the prices of the genuine gear. No doubt about it.

But unless there is almost no discernible difference between the materials, finish and quality of the bits you are buying (genuine v. non genuine) .... I'm still in the camp that doesn't quite understand the motive behind buying non genuine gear that is so engineering based liked .... carrybars, tow bars, etc.

What you are effectively assuming is that you do not place any "price or worth" on the engineering, reliability and durability of the genuine gear Ford specifies which IMHO is a somewhat dangerous game to play - especially on stuff, as I said, like towbars, carrybars etc etc.

Now, there may be almost no discernible difference between a genuine item and a non genuine one --- for example, the 15 litre fridge for the T is the same item that is $20 odd cheaper at RRP as a Waeco branded item.

I haven't done the checks and I couldn't tell you if there is any significant difference between the genuine racks and pod with the Rhino gear (I may go do the search now on the Net just for fun), but my 'I don't believe it' antenna starts stirring when there is a big price difference between the Ford stuff and a non genuine article.

I guess I'm a believer in the "you get what you pay for" philosophy and whilst I'd never argue that just because it's a genuine Ford article that it is necessarily the best in all cases --- I'll start my buying process with the Ford stuff and do some checks .. to see why there is the differences in price and materials.

Good luck to you TERRITORYial --- I wish you the best of luck with your purchases of course.

All I can offer is that, like johnydep, I can say that the genuine carrybars are extremely quiet at highway speed .... fit easily to the racks and look good.
 
#7 ·
Organza said:
First ... may I say that everyone has the right "to pay their money and pick their choice" and sometimes we can grumble about some of the prices of the genuine gear. No doubt about it.

But unless there is almost no discernible difference between the materials, finish and quality of the bits you are buying (genuine v. non genuine) .... I'm still in the camp that doesn't quite understand the motive behind buying non genuine gear that is so engineering based liked .... carrybars, tow bars, etc.

What you are effectively assuming is that you do not place any "price or worth" on the engineering, reliability and durability of the genuine gear Ford specifies which IMHO is a somewhat dangerous game to play - especially on stuff, as I said, like towbars, carrybars etc etc.

Now, there may be almost no discernible difference between a genuine item and a non genuine one --- for example, the 15 litre fridge for the T is the same item that is $20 odd cheaper at RRP as a Waeco branded item.

I haven't done the checks and I couldn't tell you if there is any significant difference between the genuine racks and pod with the Rhino gear (I may go do the search now on the Net just for fun), but my 'I don't believe it' antenna starts stirring when there is a big price difference between the Ford stuff and a non genuine article.

I guess I'm a believer in the "you get what you pay for" philosophy and whilst I'd never argue that just because it's a genuine Ford article that it is necessarily the best in all cases --- I'll start my buying process with the Ford stuff and do some checks .. to see why there is the differences in price and materials.

Good luck to you TERRITORYial --- I wish you the best of luck with your purchases of course.

All I can offer is that, like johnydep, I can say that the genuine carrybars are extremely quiet at highway speed .... fit easily to the racks and look good.
Hear, hear.

I wish some Ford dealers would take that as advice.

When I ordering my Terri I specified a factory fitted tow bar, the salesman tried to talk me into a dealer fitted bar because it was better (couldn't tell me how though).

In the end I had to insist on the factory bar and double check after the papers where signed.

I am happy that I got the factory tow bar, the fit is perfect and the bumper has been made to suit the tow bar.
Whereas the dealer fitted tow bar has a whole cut that looks too big and the edge of the cut out has a black trim to cover the messy cut.
 
#8 ·
Ok .... this is the outcome of my shopping comparo ... just FYI.

Luggage Box
The Rhino 350 model of 325 litres capacity that Territoryial bought has an RRP of $399. The Ford 375 litre box has an RRP of $995. A difference of $596.

Why would there be the difference?

Rhino -- made of UV resistant polypropylene copolymer. Natural plastic finish.

Length = 140cm Width = 99cm, Height = 39cm. Dual side opening and key lockable.


Ford --- made of vacuum formed ABS plastic with a brushed aluminium finish.
Length = 175cm Width = 82cm, Height = 37cm. Dual side opening and key lockable.

Anything else?
Yep.

The load weight of the Ford carry bars is 80kg. The weight of the Ford box is 14kg, leaving a theoretical maximum payload of the Ford box at 66kg, which is redundant coz the box payload is only 50kg.

The load weight of the Rhino Sportzbars is 80kg. They do not quote the weight of their box, the payload leftover or the payload capability of the box.

The Carrybars

Ford bars. Cost $425. Designed specifically for the carry rails and can be extended for wide items. Lockable to vehicle. Aerodynamic foiling design (minimise wind noise).

Rhino Sportzbars. Cost $285. Use the factory carry rails. No mention of lockability. No aerodynamic foiling design. Do not have the "push button, snap lock in" fitment system.

Cost difference = $140

Warranty
Ford - 3 yr, 100, 000 k's when fitted at delivery. Transferable warranty to subsequent owners within warranty period.
Rhino - 3 yrs, no distance specified but limited to original purchaser only on presentation of receipt.

Summary
Total cost difference at RRP = $736, although at a similar sized box to the Ford 375 litre model the difference is reduced to $696.

Differences?
- construction and finish of box.
- design, lockability and fitment of carrybars.
- unclear about the payload capability of the Rhino box.
- 3 yr and distance transferable warranty vs. 3 yr non tranferable warranty.

Like I said. You pays your money, and you takes your choice.
 
#9 ·
I have to say I'm not 100% convinced about the genuine box yet. I'll look at both options down the track.

An alternate argument here would be be that Ford might sell a few dozen of these a year whereas a company that specialises in these products might sell hundreds in a year. You would have to say then that Rhino is going to have a lot more experience in making luggage pods than Ford.

With regard to the bars I'm OK with the concept of Ford having put engineering expertise into their product - it's designed for one car only - but the box itself isn't quite as convincing.

Now where's that damned $1000 accessories voucher :fraz:
 
#10 ·
Paulv said:
I have to say I'm not 100% convinced about the genuine box yet. I'll look at both options down the track.

An alternate argument here would be be that Ford might sell a few dozen of these a year whereas a company that specialises in these products might sell hundreds in a year. You would have to say then that Rhino is going to have a lot more experience in making luggage pods than Ford.

With regard to the bars I'm OK with the concept of Ford having put engineering expertise into their product - it's designed for one car only - but the box itself isn't quite as convincing.

Now where's that damned $1000 accessories voucher :fraz:
The genuine Roof Luggage Box would have been manufactured to Ford specifications by a “company that specialises in these products might sell hundreds in a year”.

Most of the Ford options are manufactured by other companies, such as the fridge, CD wallet, etc
 
#11 ·
Didn't want to start a war here. The amount of useage must surely come into play unless you are made of money.

Yes, the pod I am buying as was pointed out by the salesman, is not of the quality plastic but Rhino do also have range of more expensive pods which appear more aerodynamic and use the higher grade plastic. He also said that he never had a complaint or any returns with the Rhino stuff.

I didn't ask for the price on those so I don't not know what the price difference is. But I think he said they work out a couple of hundred dollars dearer.

I will probably only ever need to use the roof rack between 3-4 weeks a year. If I had a lot more use for them I would probably go for the genuine stuff especially where security is concerned.

As for my current situation I'll spend the extra $700.00 on something more pressing.

As I said before I will post the fuel consumption figures and my thoughts on the noise levels in a few few weeks after the trip.

I haven't actually got them yet still waiting for them to arrive. If I can see any issues with them I'll happily point them out. I'll also post security features for the bars, if they have any.
 
#12 ·
johnydep said:
The genuine Roof Luggage Box would have been manufactured to Ford specifications by a “company that specialises in these products might sell hundreds in a year”.

Most of the Ford options are manufactured by other companies, such as the fridge, CD wallet, etc
Absolutely - which is why you have to make a judgement on how often you'll use the item and what abuse it will get. As Territoryial notes, if you are only going to use it a few times a year then paying double the price doesn't sound that sensible - ESPECIALLY if the product is made by the same sort of supplier.

When I say I wasn't 100% convinced, I was referring to my doubts that Ford would make a luggage pod BETTER than third party ones when this is not an area of expertise for Ford. Likewise I would only buy a Ford fridge if the Waeco one wasn't available. That holds true for all non-structural accessories. $1000 is too much for a couple of bits of vacuum formed ABS by ANY measure - no matter how good it looks.
 
#13 ·
johnydep said:
The genuine Roof Luggage Box would have been manufactured to Ford specifications by a “company that specialises in these products might sell hundreds in a year”.

Most of the Ford options are manufactured by other companies, such as the fridge, CD wallet, etc
No doubt about it that Ford gets all sorts of suppliers to build its stuff ---- but I'd presume they set pretty durable standards of construction and so on for the gear they offer.

And that goes for the car too .... its not like Ford make the brakes, the alternator, the plastic components, the dashpad etc
 
#15 ·
Well here I am back with my tail between my legs.

The racks seem to be OK but nothing but problems with the pod. The holes on the 350 litre pod do not match anywhere on the roof to wehre you can fix the racks despite Rhino saying it would. The guys at the local Autobarn have been excellent and contacting Rhino, but, Rhino have been full of it saying the pod will fit despite about four guys from the shop and myself looking at it and trying to work out a way it could go and deciding it wasn't possible without cutting into a rib and drilling extra holes.

Rhino finally decided that we might be right and said to cut into the rib and drill extra holes and they would send a letter saying that the warranty would not be voided.

To which I said "no way", cos' I don't reckon there is an ice cubes chance in hell that they have tested it with cut ribs and different holes and I don't want to get a couple of hundred km's down the track to see my gear scattered across the country if it happens to crack or break somwhere.

Anyway they are going to send down a 388 litre carver series which will cost another $259.00 on top of what I've already coughed up (I think this one would be closest to the factory one and made from the much better quality material) to see if that will fit properly fit. If it's satisfactory I'm hoping thay will give me a generous discount after all the stuffing around and time wasting I have done as a result of their misinformation.

Stay tuned for the next exciting....................................
 
#16 ·
TerritoryiAL said:
Well here I am back with my tail between my legs./QUOTE]

Not at all TerritoryiAL. None of that needed whatsoever.

Good luck with getting the issue rectified. Using genuine or aftermarket, we all want the stuff we buy to work as specified by the supplier.

The issue with all of them, sometimes even Ford I'm sure, is that promises made fall flat on their face and there is an incredible unwillingness on their part to help despite having paid good money for it.
 
#17 ·
Guys, I had a similar story with the roof racks. After trying to safe a couple of dollars I ended with the Rhino racks to give the full width (as I had not realised that Ford racks are extendable- they really should make this obvious when providing info on their website with large clear illustrations) only to put them on and completley destroy the look of the car and make a lot of noise when traveling at speeds. So back they went and I got the genuine Ford ones and realise that I should;ve done that in the first place. I love the way they extend and retract when you don't the extra width.
 
#18 ·
therio12 said:
Guys, I had a similar story with the roof racks. After trying to safe a couple of dollars I ended with the Rhino racks to give the full width (as I had not realised that Ford racks are extendable- they really should make this obvious when providing info on their website with large clear illustrations) only to put them on and completley destroy the look of the car and make a lot of noise when traveling at speeds. So back they went and I got the genuine Ford ones and realise that I should;ve done that in the first place. I love the way they extend and retract when you don't the extra width.

Ok so it sounds like the Rino Racks are NOT a good option to fit. Has anyone got anything to comment about the Rola brand roof racks for the territory?

Thx
Andrew
 
#19 ·
interesting thread indeed - i did the homework on the bars for my touareg, and at $1200 for a genuine pair, I choose not to buy them.

Thele Bars, who happen to make the genuine bars for VW cost $295.00

Do they look different? YES do they perform different? NO and the ratings are all the same.

but as for the savings? ---------VW will not get my business this time round.

Great posts from all concerned - very uplifting to learn about the issues with the territory bars considering I nearly bought one myself.
 
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