Modular Crossbar Install

[Black_Stallion13]

So I finally got my set of Valkyrie Crossbars to install this afternoon. I was extra excited to share this install and review because I know there are many others like myself that want to emulate the Ford fishing concept rack but, unfortunately, there are some issues...

In the pic below I have a standard Thule/Yakima t-slot bolt that virtually every accessory under the sun uses. The t-slot channels on the crossbars are WAY too small to accept these bolts... like you couldn't even file the bolts down if you wanted to because there would be nothing left. Likewise, the slots cannot accept standard t-slot weather-stripping (I tried two different brands) which is kind of a big deal considering there are t-slots on all sides of the crossbars - I'd like to minimize wind noise if at all possible considering the Bronco is already bad in that department, plus the rubber stripping adds grip to whatever you tie down to the bars & minimizes scratches. It was nice to see they added a hole in the t slots to drop in accessory bolts buuut that is less than helpful when the bolts don't actually fit the tracks:

Am I missing anything here? If the slots can't be used with standard accessories what are they there for? Does anybody with Valkyrie racks know what the intended purpose is or maybe there is a catalog of accessories I don't know about?

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[604Bronco]

@Valkyrie Off Road

 

[Valkyrie Off Road]

@Valkyrie Off Road

Our racks use the same t-slot that most other manufactures use. I believe Thule/Yakima use a custom size for their own hardware. We've had many customers use Thule/Yakima accessories without issues as you can adapt those accessories to our slots by using off the shelf hardware like this carriage bolt shown here in the photo. Cheap and easy solution. Standard 1/4-20 or M6 t-bolts/nuts work perfectly in these t-slots as well.

 

[Stumpy]

How do you actually like this rack option? Is it sturdy? The website does not speak on load capacity. I think all the other roof racks are very bulky. I only need a rack for a kayak. I have a foam “roof rack” pad that I currently use. But it’s not very convenient for the rear. Works fine towards the front.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

How do you actually like this rack option? Is it sturdy? The website does not speak on load capacity. I think all the other roof racks are very bulky. I only need a rack for a kayak. I have a foam “roof rack” pad that I currently use. But it’s not very convenient for the rear. Works fine towards the front.

I asked the manufacturer that question too and they did not have an answer other than "they could stand on them without breaking" I do think they would be plenty sturdy for a couple kayaks, but the bars are only spaced about 21" apart so you'd be better off adding a platform or something on top of them to get you more length to tie down a kayak. I ended up not going with this option after I discovered the Seasucker Ridge Ready Monkey bars. Like you, I am mostly worried about kayaks and the Monkey bars work great for that application since they can be spaced however you want them and they have an official rating of 150 lbs, I believe. I did a write-up on them a couple months back if you search for it.

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