OEM Crossbars Enough or Additional Required?

[Tilzbow]

As the wait continues to be extended for many of us, I continue to look at aftermarket accessories. I plan to buy Yakima kayak carrier and either a Thule or Yakima cargo rack. My 2 door Bronco will come with OEM roof racks and two OEM crossbars. Obviously the kayak carrier and cargo rack won’t be used at the same time.

So my question, for those of you who have your Bronco and have added roof top accessories, is whether or not additional vendor specific crossbars like those pictured immediately below are required or if the accessories and others in the other pictures the follow can be mounted directly to the OEM crossbars. Pictures of your particular set up are appreciated!

I‘m asking because all the pictures I see on the Ford Accessory, Yakima and Thule websites show additional crossbars added in all the pictures showing accessory racks. I’m thinking the additional crossbars aren’t required unless the rack‘s attachment points are too wide for the OEM crossbars but I’d like confirmation from forum members who have their rig and have added roof top accessories. Seems to me like the marketing departments if all three companies are trying to sell us unnecessary racks.

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[grayshadow]

I used the following and mounted the Yakima platform directly to the Ford rails.

 

[WuNgUn]

Yeah, the OE Ford crossbars are almost guaranteed to be shit... And probably part of the reason for low dynamic load performance.
My Escape for example, using factory crossbars with a Thule Alpine box (even empty) would cause it to flap and bounce up and down... Enough so that I even had a passing motorist gesture to it and the bouncing motion while I was going down the road...
I replaced them with Whispbar flush mount crossbars and it was 100% better.
I was contemplating a Thule Foothill RTT and a Yak Skinny Warrior for factory rails WITH Yak or Thule HD crossbars. But for the money, I'm going with BadAss Tents new rail/crossbar system. 200/400lbs rated for the 2 door

 

[Koz44]

I have the Yakima roof platform connected with the mounts as shown in a previous post. Pics below of day to day set-up and then loaded up for a ski trip last month.

I’ve had the roof box pictured for many years. I’m using the Yakima platform but I wouldn’t have had any issues putting it right on the factory cross bars and I think each of the items you pictured individually would probably be ok on the bars.

I took two kayaks on a trip in August with our Audi with side by side carriers - we have Thule cross bars. I think you’ll want Thule or Yakima bars for something like that or for multiple items.

 

[WuNgUn]

I have the Yakima roof platform connected with the mounts as shown in a previous post. Pics below of day to day set-up and then loaded up for a ski trip last month.

I’ve had the roof box pictured for many years. I’m using the Yakima platform but I wouldn’t have had any issues putting it right on the factory cross bars and I think each of the items you pictured individually would probably be ok on the bars.

I took two kayaks on a trip in August with our Audi with side by side carriers - we have Thule cross bars. I think you’ll want Thule or Yakima bars for something like that or for multiple items.

Does the platform + the (empty) box basically max out your dynamic load limit?

 

[Koz44]

I’m not sure of the dynamic load limit. I had the roof box full of our bags and our skis and poles attached via the recovery board mounts (and extra straps) next to it for that trip.

That trip was the first ski trip for our family of 4 in the 2dr and I was searching for ways to get everything stored for the 5 hour trip. I used pretty much every inch of the rack, hitch platform and rear cargo area.

 

[FairPlayInc]

I used the following and mounted the Yakima platform directly to the Ford rails.

hi ther. Love this setup. Would you be willing to measure From the top of your hardtop to the top of your recovery boards? Trying to figure if I can fit in my garage if I buy those items. I have a Sasquatch package. It’s gonna be close.

 

[grayshadow]

hi ther. Love this setup. Would you be willing to measure From the top of your hardtop to the top of your recovery boards? Trying to figure if I can fit in my garage if I buy those items. I have a Sasquatch package. It’s gonna be close.

I can tell you I have a 7’ height garage door and I rub the vinyl trim on top of opening with traction boards installed.

 

[NotThatScott]

I have carried all sorts of stuff on my very much un-modified OEM rack. The Factory Bronco rack has done great. I've even carried four (unhung) French doors, which very very likely exceeded to prescribed load limit. All of my Thule and Yakima stuff fits on it. I would Definitely not plan on adding towers on top of your OEM rack. Those pictures smack of someone a few pay grades above reality at FMC saying, "Hmmmm.. well we better put towers on it for the photos just in case"

 

[KDTX]

I use the factory OEM roof rack rails for my kayak. Just throw on a piece of 2" pipe insulation on and then use a regular ratchet strap. Works totally fine.

1. Make sure you put a twist or two in the strap. They will hum like crazy if not and get loud. Really loud if it's windy.
2. Not sure why Ford put round eyelet hooks on the one set of crossbars but not the other. If you put stuff up there, you know what I am talking about.

 

[cdoublev]

I have the Yakima roof platform connected with the mounts as shown in a previous post. Pics below of day to day set-up and then loaded up for a ski trip last month.

I’ve had the roof box pictured for many years. I’m using the Yakima platform but I wouldn’t have had any issues putting it right on the factory cross bars and I think each of the items you pictured individually would probably be ok on the bars.

I took two kayaks on a trip in August with our Audi with side by side carriers - we have Thule cross bars. I think you’ll want Thule or Yakima bars for something like that or for multiple items.

Which platform size is this?

 

[sniffHound]

Pic? Sounds easy!

I use the factory OEM roof rack rails for my kayak. Just throw on a piece of 2" pipe insulation on and then use a regular ratchet strap. Works totally fine.

1. Make sure you put a twist or two in the strap. They will hum like crazy if not and get loud. Really loud if it's windy.
2. Not sure why Ford put round eyelet hooks on the one set of crossbars but not the other. If you put stuff up there, you know what I am talking about.

 

[Koz44]

Which platform size is this?

It’s the K platform (55x49). Fits the 2 door.

 

[cdoublev]

It’s the K platform (55x49). Fits the 2 door.

Thank you!

 

[Benzo]

Here are some extra pics of the K platform on the 2Dr.

I installed it the other day using the direct clamps to the cross bars. It's very solid. You can see how far the front of the rack is over the opening. I don't notice the front platform bar when the panels are off unless I am parked and recline my drivers seat far back.

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