Roof Rails flex under load-Cause for concern?
03-18-19, 01:01 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Roof Rails flex under load-Cause for concern?
Added some aftermarket crossbars to my 19 crosstrek (Brightlines from amazon ), and then mounted a Rocky Mounts Tomahawk rack to it.
I am concerned that after mounting a bike into the rack i can see the crossbars flexing as I pull on the bike.
Worried this is a safety issue and that the bars will crack under load when driving.
Am I just being paranoid?
I am concerned that after mounting a bike into the rack i can see the crossbars flexing as I pull on the bike.
Worried this is a safety issue and that the bars will crack under load when driving.
Am I just being paranoid?
03-18-19, 01:12 PM
#2
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been overloading Brightlines crossbars for years. so far, so good! I think a little flex is ok
even tho we put our bikes on the back
even tho we put our bikes on the back
03-18-19, 01:13 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Mine are the low profile "aero" style
03-18-19, 01:28 PM
#4
Full Member
I use 2 Rockymount Brass Knuckle racks on the factory "aero" crossbars on my 2011 Jeep and on my 2014 Subaru. The bars flex, especially as the bikes are at full height with front wheels on with these racks. With 30 lb mountain bikes they flex more. They never flex beyond the elastic yeild of the cross bar material or they would stay deformed. I have gone on long trips and rough roads and I have no cracking or permanent damage and I have been loading things on these vehicles since new so this is not just a few trips..
That being said you should do a quick visual of the cross bars every time you install the racks anyway, or better yet, when you take them off so there are no surprises when you are trying to go somewhere. I always do a quick once over of attachments of anything I hook to a vehicle, be it bikes, cargo pod, canoe or even a trailer. You also need to make sure the bikes are not hitting into each other.
That being said you should do a quick visual of the cross bars every time you install the racks anyway, or better yet, when you take them off so there are no surprises when you are trying to go somewhere. I always do a quick once over of attachments of anything I hook to a vehicle, be it bikes, cargo pod, canoe or even a trailer. You also need to make sure the bikes are not hitting into each other.
03-18-19, 01:37 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Thanks. I just have 1 rack up there now. The amazon return period ends in a couple weeks and I was considering returning them; but if flexing is normal, then I will just give it a go and cross my fingers I guess
03-19-19, 08:00 AM
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How much are they flexing?
Any long bar like crossbars are going to bend a little under a load. I can move mine around quite a bit. Now, if were talking inches, you may have an issue, but I seriously doubt you have any worries.
Any long bar like crossbars are going to bend a little under a load. I can move mine around quite a bit. Now, if were talking inches, you may have an issue, but I seriously doubt you have any worries.
03-19-19, 11:16 AM
#7
Banned
Original Yakima roof racks used a round plastic coated steel tube, that, minus the plastic coating,
is commonly used as water pipe, buried in the ground. ... supplying your house..
Problem with 'aero' flattening is the narrow side is facing forward and the weakest , loading..
facing an oval narrowest side upward is stronger but less aero...
it is possible to make an extruded aluminum cross bar with a stiffening rib down the center..
but will you be willing to pay that added cost of manufacturing..
For our OP, take the time to regularly inspect your roof rack for wear and tear ... metal fatigue and so forth..
....
is commonly used as water pipe, buried in the ground. ... supplying your house..
Problem with 'aero' flattening is the narrow side is facing forward and the weakest , loading..
facing an oval narrowest side upward is stronger but less aero...
it is possible to make an extruded aluminum cross bar with a stiffening rib down the center..
but will you be willing to pay that added cost of manufacturing..
For our OP, take the time to regularly inspect your roof rack for wear and tear ... metal fatigue and so forth..
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 03-19-19 at 11:29 AM.
03-19-19, 07:57 PM
#8
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Never ever noticed any bending/flexing with round Yakima crossbars.
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