Rivian crossbar design flaw

[Flabirder]

There is a gap in the center of both crossbars that allows long narrow
loads (i.e. lumber, pipes) to compress the rooftop fin when loaded. I'm
looking for semi-permanent solutions to this problem before I end up
breaking the fin. Any ideas?

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[derekmw]

I wouldn't say design flaw in the cross bars but just a design flaw in that fin. I don't know how they didn't realize the heights overlap. When I put my surfboards on, it hits the fin, so I had to add padding on the bars to raise the boards higher. I guess they assumed the fin is ok because people will put clamps/etc that raise whatever mounts on the bars?

The Yakima surf rack they sell is a dumb design because it doesn't use the bars to hold the surfboard, instead it mounts on top of the bars, another mount to put the surfboards on. It's ugly and unnecessary in my opinion.

 

[derekmw]

This is what I had to do to avoid my surfboards touching the fin:

 

[AYAYRON]

There is a gap in the center of both crossbars that allows long narrow
loads (i.e. lumber, pipes) to compress the rooftop fin when loaded. I'm
looking for semi-permanent solutions to this problem before I end up
breaking the fin. Any ideas?

use bolts that raise the rack off the cross bar versus flush, when buying my bike racks that was a choice on which bolts you wanted, I suspect that's why but at the time I couldn't think of a reason (I still could be completely wrong)

 

[S.Mueller]

I noted that as well recently when I was measuring and looking to see where my Thule rooftop box would best fit. If I mount on the mid and front bar mount locations it will extend over the windshield, not ideal for aerodynamic, and if mounted rearward then it’ll rest or hit the fin and probably the hatch when its opened.
Since it has its own clamping mechanism to attach to the bars I don’t see a way to raise the box.
Anyone solve this issue?

 

[WorldComposting]

That and they really need a 4th mounting point for the bars. My XXL Thule hangs over the back and gets in the way of the hatch coming up on the R1S.

It feels like they were a bit short cited on what people use/place on the roof rack.

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