Vytec
Member
Just wanted to post some notes about my recent upgrade for my LR4. I decided to go with the Rhino Rack because I wanted to add the Batwing awning to my rig so that we'd have some relief from the Texas sun when we're out in the field doing hunt test training with our Chocolate Lab. And since the racks had good reviews and looked nice, I decided to purchase everything from them.
I initially purchased the backbone from them and the 56" wide Pioneer rack. I found that it was really too big for my rig so we ended up with the 49" model. I did however find that the backbone was too short to mount the platform directly to the backbone and still be able to clear the rear antenna. I worked extensively with their tech support to resolve and they were very helpful. They had said that the 56" model was the wrong one for the truck and that the 49" was the right one. So they sent it off at no cost to me for shipping since their website shouldn't have shown it to be correct. They initially thought it was the slat configuration and that if I used the 49" model, it would have an opening for the antenna to fit in.
I got the 49" model in but it didn't work either because it was the rear crossbar of the frame that was actually hitting the antenna as well. So they went back to their engineers and found that for LR4's in the US, you have to use some spacers to raise it up from the backbone to clear the antenna. They said that not everyone in the world uses those antennas on the roof so they didn't need to raise the height of the backbone. So they made it short to keep a low profile.
After several weeks of going back and forth and finally getting all the right parts and building the platform twice and dismantling the original 56" platform I finally have an installed platform and awning.
The other issue I had was that when you add the spacers they come with larger bolts that don't fit through the holes in the backbone and they didn't have anyway of securing the bolts either. They didn't have any nuts. So I had to use some longer stainless bolts that allowed me to use the original mounting nuts that fit in the channel of the crossbars and lock in place to allow you to tighten down.
Overall, this was the most painful and frustrating upgrade I've ever done in my life. Rhino support was flawless and very helpful and responsive. They wanted to ensure that I was taken care of and that I had what I needed to get the rack complete and installed properly.
Would I do this again, maybe. Now that I know what I know about what's needed and the proper items needed to complete my install, I would say yes I would. The rack after all is said and done is sturdy, looks good with the optional side rails and awning. It's very secure and locked down. With the wind deflector installed, it's fairly quiet going down the highway at 70-80mph.
Recommendations:
I initially purchased the backbone from them and the 56" wide Pioneer rack. I found that it was really too big for my rig so we ended up with the 49" model. I did however find that the backbone was too short to mount the platform directly to the backbone and still be able to clear the rear antenna. I worked extensively with their tech support to resolve and they were very helpful. They had said that the 56" model was the wrong one for the truck and that the 49" was the right one. So they sent it off at no cost to me for shipping since their website shouldn't have shown it to be correct. They initially thought it was the slat configuration and that if I used the 49" model, it would have an opening for the antenna to fit in.
I got the 49" model in but it didn't work either because it was the rear crossbar of the frame that was actually hitting the antenna as well. So they went back to their engineers and found that for LR4's in the US, you have to use some spacers to raise it up from the backbone to clear the antenna. They said that not everyone in the world uses those antennas on the roof so they didn't need to raise the height of the backbone. So they made it short to keep a low profile.
After several weeks of going back and forth and finally getting all the right parts and building the platform twice and dismantling the original 56" platform I finally have an installed platform and awning.
The other issue I had was that when you add the spacers they come with larger bolts that don't fit through the holes in the backbone and they didn't have anyway of securing the bolts either. They didn't have any nuts. So I had to use some longer stainless bolts that allowed me to use the original mounting nuts that fit in the channel of the crossbars and lock in place to allow you to tighten down.
Overall, this was the most painful and frustrating upgrade I've ever done in my life. Rhino support was flawless and very helpful and responsive. They wanted to ensure that I was taken care of and that I had what I needed to get the rack complete and installed properly.
Would I do this again, maybe. Now that I know what I know about what's needed and the proper items needed to complete my install, I would say yes I would. The rack after all is said and done is sturdy, looks good with the optional side rails and awning. It's very secure and locked down. With the wind deflector installed, it's fairly quiet going down the highway at 70-80mph.
Recommendations:
- For LR3 LR4 get the 49" wide x 86" long if you want the full roof covered
- Backbone for LR3 / LR4 is optional, I chose it because I thought it would keep the platform lower and after talking with the Rhino folks, the cost of the backbone was about the same as purchasing 6 of their mounting brackets to clamp into my existing LR Long tracks so I went with the backbone. May have been easier to just go with their brackets instead in the long run since I already had the tracks installed in my LR4.
- Make sure to get the spacers if you have the antenna on the roof - Model # LHS2PAIR x Qty 3 You need 3 pairs since there are 3 mounting points using their backbone for a 86" long full roof model.
- Get 1.5 - 2" M8 long Stainless Steel bolts to replace their M8 x 20mm Hex Bolts
- Pack your patience. You have to build the rack since it comes in a long skinny box and completely broken down. Doesn't take too long to build. Just follow directions and make sure to put the crossbars in the right spot and note the orientation of Front vs Rear so that you put the mounting crossbars in the right spots so they line up with the Backbone. If you use their brackets with the LR long tracks, then not as critical since you can move around the track. I think that using the LR tracks also would allow moving it forward a little to clear the antenna as well.
- Side rails are optional but I like the fact that they are there and would help hold things in place.
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