rhino rack "back bone" roof rack system

[Ian Reid]

Hi Will, I have a RhinoRack Pioneer 42107B which is the 2128mm length model and it is fixed to the Prado using the 6 feet in the RLCP23 kit. When looking at the car from the side it appears that the rack does not sit more or less parallel to the line of the roof of the Prado, with the front tending to be higher than the back (have tried to attach photos). The front feet seem to be 15 -20mm too long/high (has anybody else noticed this), will the new backbone system correct this. Also, just a small thing, the Allen Keys with the hole in them seem to be a very poor fit and do not last long with frequent use when I have to frequently remove rack attachments to get into my garage. Cheers.

Hi Nebulous, Pretty sure that is the same rack as mine, tray with permanent side rails on RLCP23 feet. Yes mine sits noticeably higher at the front than the rear but as the car sits bum high the tray is actually fairly level compared to the ground level


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[brogers]

Hi Will, I have a RhinoRack Pioneer 42107B which is the 2128mm length model and it is fixed to the Prado using the 6 feet in the RLCP23 kit. When looking at the car from the side it appears that the rack does not sit more or less parallel to the line of the roof of the Prado, with the front tending to be higher than the back (have tried to attach photos). The front feet seem to be 15 -20mm too long/high (has anybody else noticed this), will the new backbone system correct this. Also, just a small thing, the Allen Keys with the hole in them seem to be a very poor fit and do not last long with frequent use when I have to frequently remove rack attachments to get into my garage. Cheers.

Hello Nebulous, thanks for posting the image of your car and Pioneer platform, and hopefully Will is able to reply soon. It appears to me that the gap between the roof and the Platform widens not so much due to the mounting legs being too long, but rather due to the roof line "falling away" towards the front of the car. I am on the verge of getting a platform, and have got some information etc, and a roof rack specialist company advised me NOT to get the 2128 mm long Platform for the Prado, but rather the 42102B, version, which is 1928 mm long as the longer version comes too far forward in their opinion.

After seeing your image I would agree, unfortunately. I don't think the solution will be to shorten the mounting legs, as the platform needs to be more of less parallel to the main part of the roof line, and it also needs to be completely straight across the full length. Anyway, lets see what information Will provides, but I am leaning towards the 42102B model Platform (1928mm X 1236mm) on the same RLCP23 mounting legs, which will be 200mm shorter at the front. Its a shame about the current Allen key. The last Allen key supplied with my previous Rhino roof cage lasted well...hopefully Rhino can ensure that the allen key is fit for purpose....However, this time I won't be removing my platform once its installed, hopefully, which is why I like the idea of a lower profile 'platform' rather than a roof 'tray' with sides.

[Nebulous]

Hi Will, I have a RhinoRack Pioneer 42107B which is the 2128mm length model and it is fixed to the Prado using the 6 feet in the RLCP23 kit. When looking at the car from the side it appears that the rack does not sit more or less parallel to the line of the roof of the Prado, with the front tending to be higher than the back (have tried to attach photos). The front feet seem to be 15 -20mm too long/high (has anybody else noticed this), will the new backbone system correct this. Also, just a small thing, the Allen Keys with the hole in them seem to be a very poor fit and do not last long with frequent use when I have to frequently remove rack attachments to get into my garage. Cheers.

[The Bearded Pilot]

I was told this weekend just gone that the backbone for the 150 Series and another vehicle are being re-engineered and that there should be a revised product by May this year.

O Dog, hit up the guys at Pride Auto and see if they've had the same info.

[HaaHn]

Sorry Haahn - not certain at this point. We'll be getting a Prado 150 in over the next week or two to test fit a backbone system for shorter trays. I will endeavour to look into it for you. Any other things I can check out for you all when I get the car in?

Cheers Will, I am guessing it will be right but have thrown a tape measure on to give you the required measurements.

Top edge of sunroof when tilted up is 38mm @ 800mm back from leading edge of roof/windscreen.

The boss at Roof Racks Galore in Kedron has the platform fitted with backbone on his 150 but wont be available til next Monday so will measure then if you don't get there first

If possible some pics of the shorter backbones and trays installed would be great!!

Thanks

[Will_RhinoRack]

Sorry Haahn - not certain at this point. We'll be getting a Prado 150 in over the next week or two to test fit a backbone system for shorter trays. I will endeavour to look into it for you. Any other things I can check out for you all when I get the car in?

[HaaHn]

Unless my tape measure is wrong, that figure is still way off. Is the backbone compatible with Prados with a sunroof?

Does anyone have an answer to this? Will_RhinoRack?

Cheers

[rwo]

snip...

rwo - Can you please let me know what system you're running on your legs? It's a Pioneer?

Thanks for the reply Will. I have a 1928mm Pioneer platform with the Pioneer RLCP 3 leg kit (factory rails removed).

[Will_RhinoRack]

Hey Guys, sorry for leaving you all hanging.

Shorter Trays
Unfortunately the current Backbone is incompatible with smaller trays - the logic behind this was to having the mounting points at the extreme lengths of the trays for better load distribution, also to make sure it looks as good as possible, we don't want the Backbone sticking out beyond the tray. HOWEVER we have heard enough requests to fit smaller trays - we received a sample this morning which shall allow for 1928 Length trays. I'll be sure to let you all know on that progress - keep crying out for it and it will certainly be heard.

120 Prado Backbone
A 120 has been measured up and it's currently in development. The process of getting these out in the market takes a little while, at a rough guess, we're looking at 3 months. Again, scream loud enough and I'll whack the afterburners on.

amts - at this stage we're not certain the difference in height for the 120, but we will certainly be trying to get it as low as we can without compromising it's usability (strapping/ cleaning as mentioned before).

rwo - Can you please let me know what system you're running on your legs? It's a Pioneer?

[The Bearded Pilot]

Can 'O worms Will, let me know you need a customer service Op!

[fido666]

This is the specific Back Bone Part - attaches to various platforms etc...
http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products...rado-150_rtpb1

Not sure if it fits with the SX platform though

OK, cool. I'm sure Will will be along to confirm soon enough, I'm not in any rush.

I have been told that you can't use the 19xxmm platform with the backbone. It only fits the 21xxmm size.

If that's the case it won't be happening, spent enough buying the 44102B.

For us though, we should see a significant drop losing the rails and the crossbars and going straight down to the backbone.

Thanks for all the info Tiny. For me it's not so much about the height as I can get in all the underground car parks still, it's more about strength. Not that I've had any concerns with the rail mounts, the rack hasn't budged since it was installed nearly 2 years ago.

[talk2tiny]

Is there a retro-fit kit to use with an existing platform? I currently have mine (model 44102B) attached to the factory rails, not the 3 leg kit. I have a 150 series.

Hi Fido, I have the rails version and there is a kit to convert to a 3 leg version. Our version has the 2 cross bars now, basically you buy an extra cross bar and move them so they are in the right places. It was going to cost a couple of hundred bucks with the legs when I looked last but on the plus side, you lose those stupid little bolt heads in the tracks that make it impossible to slide accessories past. I don't know if our old 1928mm ones will fit the backbone though, we'll have to wait for Will to get back to us on that one. For us though, we should see a significant drop losing the rails and the crossbars and going straight down to the backbone.

Tiny

[rwo]

Hey amts,

I've attached an image from this morning comparing the RLCP legs and the Backbone. I apologise for not including a ruler in the photo. Although we may disagree on the height variation, I hope we can agree that the Backbone is a lower profile system.

If you guys have any other concerns, please let rip - It's important for us to hear all the negatives so we can improve your experience with the gear you're spending hard earned on.


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Hi Will,
Can you please provide a measurement of the backbone rail for 150 at the same point? My car is approx 20mm too high to fit in the garage with the rack on (rack goes on and off when required but i'm well and truly done with this!) and I am seriously considering changing from 3 leg to a backbone system, but just want to measure it up to confirm it will actually solve my problems for dropping ~$500 on it.

Also interested to know if the backbone works with the 1928mm platform?

[Bailey84]

Is there a retro-fit kit to use with an existing platform? I currently have mine (model 44102B) attached to the factory rails, not the 3 leg kit. I have a 150 series.

I have been told that you can't use the 19xxmm platform with the backbone. It only fits the 21xxmm size.

[Spilsy]

Is there a retro-fit kit to use with an existing platform? I currently have mine (model 44102B) attached to the factory rails, not the 3 leg kit. I have a 150 series.

This is the specific Back Bone Part - attaches to various platforms etc...
http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products...rado-150_rtpb1

Not sure if it fits with the SX platform though