roof rack question

[o2zi3 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close o2zi3]

Hiya All

Just about to get a 2006 gxl auto petrol 120 delivered. First priority is some racks...no roof rails on this ride. Probably, looking at a 3 bar set up. Mostly, to carry my surf boards but would like the extra load rating for other jobs i will be doing etc

Been looking at the rhino heavy duties......i see they have the square bars or the aeros......i am initially drawn to the aero bars, probably quieter, look alittle nicer...in fact i was wondering why anybody would want the other type...then i thought, i suppose the squares are more suited for other functions like fitting trays etc....

Can someone give me a heads up if this is true....are the squares more versatile, are they going to annoy the bejesus out of me due to noise? these things aren't cheap so not keen on experimentation

PS been looking at the prorack whispbars...these look really good.....anyone have them and have something to say

Cheers

[Guest Close Guest]

The 3 bar HD set (square ones) from Toyota is actually quite cheap at $282 after 10% discount. It is cheaper than buying from a roof rack place.

As for noise, the square bars have a channel on the top and bottom. The top can be sealed off by the supplied rubber strips. I put in foam strips to the bottom channel to cut off the whistling noise.

The square bars are a bit more versatile in that it is based on the Unistrut design and uses channel nuts for securing items to the racks. You can get a variety of channel nut sizes in M6, M8, and M10. This open up the choices for more DIY stuff.

[o2zi3 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close o2zi3]

well would you believe it....a genuine part that is reasonably priced.....ill look into this at the rhino equivalents are $500...thanks

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

The Aero bars have a channel at the top and bottom the same the the square bars and can be sealed off with the supplied rubber strip (top only). Rhino sell accessories specific to the bar type. I have seen a few accessories for the square bars where there is no equivalent for the aero bar. You can also use channel nuts in the Aero bar.

I run three Aero bars without the rubber strip as I also use an Alloy tray. With the tray off I do not get any noticable noise from the Aero bars. If you do get some noise then turn the music up a little louder.

[Guest Close Guest]

Hi Nick,
Do the Aero bars take the channel nuts suitable for the square bars? From the pics, the top channel looks a bit shallow.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Hi Nick,
Do the Aero bars take the channel nuts suitable for the square bars? From the pics, the top channel looks a bit shallow.
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Andrew, I'll need to double check. I think it supports 6mm and 8mm channel nuts but not sure about the 10mm ones. I'm also not sure if you can turn the bars upside down. Can have a look tonight it time permits but I'm out.

It does support a square head nut but I believe it also have support for the channel nuts but could be mistaken.

[Guest Close Guest]

No big hassle. Just curious. Did think about getting aero bars for permanent fitment but not really going down that path anymore.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Andrew, I had a real quick look. A 6mm channel nut will fit and I'm guessing that an 8mm will as well but the 10mm will NOT fit but only just. Couldn't try an 8mm as I don't have one. Didn't try to turn the bar over as it was late when I got home and a few beers didn't help. It's obviously not designed for the channel nuts but they can be used so existing accessories can be used provided they work in conjunction with the Aero bar profile.

[showtime Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close showtime]

Hi Andrew just bought a third aero bar to go with the two that came off my wrecked 95 Prado,to fit to my 120 Prado.they are 1350mm wide compared to 1250 specified for the 120.I have noticed that there is bit of wind noise compared to when they were on the 95

cheers
Wesley

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Hi Andrew just bought a third aero bar to go with the two that came off my wrecked 95 Prado,to fit to my 120 Prado.they are 1350mm wide compared to 1250 specified for the 120.I have noticed that there is bit of wind noise compared to when they were on the 95

cheers
Wesley

That's because the 120 is a bit more slippery through the air than the old 95 brick! I know, I used to own one and have the bars on my 120 now.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

3 Bar Fixed Roof Racks measurements

For those who have the 3 Bar Fixed roof racks (not the type mounted on factory roof rails) on their Prado (120 & 150) Could I please have the distances between centres of roof racks from front bar to middle bar and middle bar to rear bar? Sportz bar profile or heavy duty isnt important as I require the distance between centres. This info would be very much appreciated...

Cheers