Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack Install

[DKM_R1S]

I am in the process of installing the Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack for our R1S and have a concern about the fitment. Front Runner design a custom wind fairing with rubber gasket that fits against the roof glass at a 60-degree angle. It seems to me that once I bolt down the front end of the rack, the wind fairing going to place a significant amount of pressure on the roof glass. Especially since I will be placing a root top tent on top of the rack. I am going to contact Front Runner tomorrow and ask them about this. I will provide an update with photos. Have any of you had experience with this roof rack on your R1S?

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[Polar]

Any images mate?

 

[DKM_R1S]

Sorry for the delay And the dirt. Was detailed just the day prior. can’t win with the pollen!

 

[Mr. Ham]

This looks right according to the pictures on the site, but I would question the pressure as well.
Did Front Runner get back to you?

Sorry for the delay And the dirt. Was detailed just the day prior. can’t win with the pollen!

 

[DKM_R1S]

I discussed with Front Runner. They didn’t have any concerns. I ended up having to remove the wind fairing because my rooftop tent is the kind that uses the generic U-bolts to mount it to the rack. I had to reach underneath the roof rack to affix the tent. So then I had to Jerry rig the wind fairing to reattach it - drilling 5 holes through the front end of the rack with slide down bolts and the nuts on top.

**it seems like my modified method of mounting the wind fairing has also relieved some of the pressure on the glass.

so anyone purchasing the Frontrunner should be aware that many rooftop tents attach this way and you’ll need to modify how the wind fairing attaches.

I would be happy to send photos to anyone who is interested.

 

[wjhdrew]

I've been considering all the roof rack systems, Prinsu, Front Runner, Ruff Rax, Thule, etc. And I'm settling just with the Oem Rivian crossbars for my RTT. Cheapest option out of all of them and well enough rated strength. The ease of lifting directly up to remove will make installation and removal so much easier as well.

Appreciate all your info on the front runner racks. It'll help a lot of folks out here.

 

[DKM_R1S]

Will you be getting 2 or 3 OEM crossbars? I read a post on here a while back about the 3 crossbars not being perfectly level when installed. I’m not sure if this is true though…

 

[wjhdrew]

Yea. 3 isn't level. I believe it, just looking at it in person. I'll be using two. And I'm currently planning on the BDV DUO. Don't have it yet. And gonna mount it on the two farthest mounting points if possible ( I believe it should be able to ).

I like the ability to easily remove/mount the RTT+Crossbars. Don't need the bars if I'm not hauling the tent for the most part.

 

[DKM_R1S]

Oh, that’s a nice size. You’ll be able to fit 2 personal air mattresses side by side if you wanted. Yeah, when I ordered the tent and slimline II I wasn’t sure at the time how the tent would need to mount and what the maximum span could be between the 2 cross bars. That’s why I went with the Slimline II. As it turns out it would have worked fine to mount to the OEM bars. It took me several weekends to assemble and get the SlimLine II mounted.

If I could do it over, I would have bought the OEM bars.

 

[wjhdrew]

Yea. I'm leaning towards this one because it's a bit wider than all of the other wedges I've been looking at and would comfortably fit an Exped Duo LW+ if I wanted to. Also I'm a large person at 6' 250lbs. =D Figuring out the build out of the R1S has been a very fun process. Mistakes, lessons, discoveries throughout.

 

[DKM_R1S]

Exped Duo sounded familiar, so I had to go out a check. That’s what we have. Nice choice. One other note about rooftop tents. They are heavy to install. I’m sure you know about this. The other thing I learned is that if your R1S needs service unexpectedly, RIVIAN will not service it with the tent on top. I’m going through this with RIVIAN right now.

 

[mung]

Also considering RTT for the R1S and also leaning towards using the OEM cargo bars with a setup at home to hoist and store on the roof of the garage and just slot it in when needed. Nowhere near pulling the trigger yet but this is my plan so far, so watching these threads with great interest!

 

[DKM_R1S]

Also considering RTT for the R1S and also leaning towards using the OEM cargo bars with a setup at home to hoist and store on the roof of the garage and just slot it in when needed. Nowhere near pulling the trigger yet but this is my plan so far, so watching these threads with great interest!

If your garage door opening is tall enough, then you’re golden. Mine was not, so I had to mount an electric hoist at the garage door opening and built a sled from 2x4’s. The tent is placed sideways on the sled, then one end is hooked onto the roof rack. The other end is connected to the electric hoist then lifted up. Then I just simply slide the RTT along the 2x4’s onto the roof rack. The Rivian is parked in the driveway parallel to the garage door opening at the proper distance.

 

[DKM_R1S]

The update is that my roof glass cracked while I was reaching under the roof rack to clean the glass. I guess my elbow applied too much pressure. The question is if the wind fairing, which has been in contact with the roof glass for 3 months, was applying too much pressure and had already weakened the glass roof.

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