TrailRax Roof Rack/Side Rack Install/Questions

I have the half rack so I may play with the the adjustments on the angled wind defector on the front of the rack. I’ve got it set high in the slots so it’s easy to get the middle roof panel off.

I have not been able to reduce the noise with the down adjustment on the angled wind deflector . Cant figure out where it's coming from but it sounds like the right back seat passenger side roof area. Guess I'll have to live with it. I ordered the Roam 95L with the Roam mounts. Mounts came in but the case won't be here until August. Long wait but Bronco people are used to that.. I threw my mounts up on my half rack to see how they will line up. I'm mounting the case left to right so I can access the case from a hitch step.That's going to be a big air dam ! Oh boy ! The other thing I had to do on my half rack is order another cross member to give the mount a second attachment point. I decided not to move the other cross member back because then essentially i wouldn't be able to use the rest of the half rack. Another rabbit hole I got into was looking for locks for the mount latches and for the Roam case . If anyone has favorites that fit let me know . I guess it's easy to get locks that won't fit ! @Sven what are you using ?

I have the Pelican BX140R. I didn’t order the Roam because it was so far out before it would ship. My mounts for the Pelican will be here this week.

Dirt Dog

I have not been able to reduce the noise with the down adjustment on the angled wind deflector . Cant figure out where it's coming from but it sounds like the right back seat passenger side roof area. Guess I'll have to live with it. I ordered the Roam 95L with the Roam mounts. Mounts came in but the case won't be here until August. Long wait but Bronco people are used to that.. I threw my mounts up on my half rack to see how they will line up. I'm mounting the case left to right so I can access the case from a hitch step.That's going to be a big air dam ! Oh boy ! The other thing I had to do on my half rack is order another cross member to give the mount a second attachment point. I decided not to move the other cross member back because then essentially i wouldn't be able to use the rest of the half rack. Another rabbit hole I got into was looking for locks for the mount latches and for the Roam case . If anyone has favorites that fit let me know . I guess it's easy to get locks that won't fit ! @Sven what are you using ?

For the case to the mount I used a standard keyed master lock. to lock the case I found these at the local hardware store that fit.

Sven

For the case to the mount I used a standard keyed master lock. to lock the case I found these at the local hardware store that fit.

Thanks Sven ! I was hoping to find something that protected the key hole or keyless tumblers from the dirt and snow. You don't get any of that out there , do you ? Haha ! As @SlashRacer can attest we get our fair share in MI but not like you.They make some locks with a little grommet protecting the key slot. It seems like a good idea but maybe I'm obsessing too much, or creating a problem that doesn't exist.

Dirt Dog

Thanks Sven ! I was hoping to find something that protected the key hole or keyless tumblers from the dirt and snow. You don't get any of that out there , do you ? Haha ! As @SlashRacer can attest we get our fair share in MI but not like you.They make some locks with a little grommet protecting the key slot. It seems like a good idea but maybe I'm obsessing too much, or creating a problem that doesn't exist.

We use this for all our outdoor padlocks at the gas plant and have zero issues with them year round. So I use it on my truck locks as well.

SlashRacer

I have the Pelican BX140R. I didn’t order the Roam because it was so far out before it would ship. My mounts for the Pelican will be here this week.

I like your set up ! Do you find mounting your RotoPak's vertically rather than horizontally and locking them together works better for you ? I was talking to myself about that. I do that a lot ! haha

Dirt Dog

I like your set up ! Do you find mounting your RotoPak's vertically rather than horizontally and locking them together works better for you ? I was talking to myself about that. I do that a lot ! haha

I have the Gen 1 water tanks that will lock together and thought about only getting one lock for them.

But…..I don’t want to handle 2 water containers every time I need to water my dogs in the trail, so I mounted them separately.

I’m going to look for spigot so I can leave one upside down.

SlashRacer

I have the Gen 1 water tanks that will lock together and thought about only getting one lock for them.

But…..I don’t want to handle 2 water containers every time I need to water my dogs in the trail, so I mounted them separately.

I’m going to look for spigot so I can leave one upside down.

https://www.harborfreight.com/batte...nsfer-pump-63847.html?_br_psugg_q=liquid+pump

SlashRacer

I have the Gen 1 water tanks that will lock together and thought about only getting one lock for them.

But…..I don’t want to handle 2 water containers every time I need to water my dogs in the trail, so I mounted them separately.

I’m going to look for spigot so I can leave one upside down.

That's exactly I do... mounted them so the spigot is downward facing... that way I can leave them on the Bronco and use it to dispense water. Admittedly wasn't an original idea—stole it from someone on YouTube. For a long time I was using a small 12V water pump, but that was needlessly complicated. Gravity works fine and requires no setup time.

The only problem is I only bought one of them, and it's become obvious I need more than 2 gallons for a weekend adventure. The spigot I bought is no longer sold... so if you find one that ends up being good let me know.

RagnarKon

That's exactly I do... mounted them so the spigot is downward facing... that way I can leave them on the Bronco and use it to dispense water. Admittedly wasn't an original idea—stole it from someone on YouTube. For a long time I was using a small 12V water pump, but that was needlessly complicated. Gravity works fine and requires no setup time.

The only problem is I only bought one of them, and it's become obvious I need more than 2 gallons for a weekend adventure. The spigot I bought is no longer sold... so if you find one that ends up being good let me know.

I was shocked at the amount of water we went through a couple of weeks ago. The spigot will make things SO MUCH easier!!!

Now I need to find a couple of spigots.

On a side note….we are considering adding 2 more water containers to the opposite side. I’m thinking I should do one as gas though and maybe the 2nd as water.

We are working on using less water for cleanups after meals.

RagnarKon

That's exactly I do... mounted them so the spigot is downward facing... that way I can leave them on the Bronco and use it to dispense water. Admittedly wasn't an original idea—stole it from someone on YouTube. For a long time I was using a small 12V water pump, but that was needlessly complicated. Gravity works fine and requires no setup time.

The only problem is I only bought one of them, and it's become obvious I need more than 2 gallons for a weekend adventure. The spigot I bought is no longer sold... so if you find one that ends up being good let me know.

GoWesty Spout Kit for Use with Rotopax Water Container https://a.co/d/3Z2SLXD

SlashRacer

GoWesty Spout Kit for Use with Rotopax Water Container https://a.co/d/3Z2SLXD

Perfect ! love it ,on order !

Dirt Dog

Perfect ! love it ,on order !

I ordered 2 myself.

I tried to call TraiRax to answer this question but they are not answering their phone today after4 tries. They all must be out wheeling in the mountains ! Wanted to order some 1/4 -20 t-nuts and eye bolts for my cross members but I'm having difficulty finding a stainless t-nut . Not sure what one fits the TraillRax. I noticed from previous post that they may not be available to fit the rail. Secondly it seem their are an abundance of M6 & M8 versions out there . Do they work in the slots ?

Dirt Dog

I tried to call TraiRax to answer this question but they are not answering their phone today after4 tries. They all must be out wheeling in the mountains ! Wanted to order some 1/4 -20 t-nuts and eye bolts for my cross members but I'm having difficulty finding a stainless t-nut . Not sure what one fits the TraillRax. I noticed from previous post that they may not be available to fit the rail. Secondly it seem their are an abundance of M6 & M8 versions out there . Do they work in the slots ?

I started using 1/4" stainless carriage bolts and hardware. The bolts slide in the tracks just fine. Not as clean as just the bolt head showing but easier to find for me.

You might check McMaster Carr for stainless t-nuts.

Sven

I started using 1/4" stainless carriage bolts and hardware. The bolts slide in the tracks just fine. Not as clean as just the bolt head showing but easier to find for me.

You might check McMaster Carr for stainless t-nuts.

Not sure what the proper size to look for is . Their are a godzillion T-nuts out there. I found a SS one on Amazon but my gut tells me it's too big. The old trial and error method may come into play here. I like your idea Sven but I want an eye on the track flush with the rail. Then again ,if I used the side rail instead of the cross member your method would work fine for me.

Dirt Dog

Not sure what the proper size to look for is . Their are a godzillion T-nuts out there. I found a SS one on Amazon but my gut tells me it's too big. The old trial and error method may come into play here. I like your idea Sven but I want an eye on the track flush with the rail. Then again ,if I used the side rail instead of the cross member your method would work fine for me.

Ah it took me awhile Sven, I must be a little thick in the head ! I just need a short carriage bolt and a female eye ! haha
Nothing wrong with a female eye. haha

I bought two packets of these Chinese 1/4-20 T-nuts. Hopefully true stainless as listed and not Chinesium:

I had a failed effort at using M6 t-nuts. I found a cargo box on Craigs list, which sat on upright M6 threaded posts that slid into a Yakima/Thule type crossbar slot, which would open from a hinged end cap. To slide these posts into the TRMR I'd have to un-bolt my crossbars--both sides!--then screw them back in. After failing to find satisfactory M6 T-nuts (drop in or permanent), I abandoned that, drilled the cargo box's mounting holes to 3/8, and now mount it on 1/4-20 threaded studs. Which are anchored in the T-nuts.


I saw somebody selling a simple plate to attach to roof crossbars for over $100--and then you'd attach gear (like a farm jack?) to the plate. Why not secure the farm jack right to the crossbars instead? I put 4 of these 1/4-20 t-nuts in every TRMR slot, back to front. They slide this way and that, no problem, but I'll have an abundance of tie-down points for O-rings, bolts, the cargo box, rubber grip clamps (for shovels, etc.) and so on.

Here are your eye bolts:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rXzUsDJgS._SY445_SX342_QL70_FMwebp_.jpg

Available in packs of 2, 4, or 6 from this Amazon vendor.

Here's what you do: assuming you have T-nuts already installed in your TRMR crossbar slots, you thread a 1/4-20 nut halfway up the shank. Then you put a washer on the shank, and screw it (the shank) into the T-nut in your TRMR slot. When that's tight (careful--you're bolting steel onto aluminum!), screw the nut downwards onto the crossbar, and tighten (carefully) with a wrench. That eye bolt should hold your stratchet, tie-down strap, whatever you got. When you're through with that trip or load, remove the eye bolts for a nice, clean-looking roof, and store your hardware in a ziplock bag or something for your next use.

My system also means I don't have carriage bolts of different heights sticking up off my TRMR. Besides looking sloppy, they might catch on things. I keep a small parts bin in my back where all my TRMR fittings, plus a few tools, are always available and organized. BYW I bought cheaper zinc-coated eyebolts because they're not exposed full-time to the elements.

BostonBadlands

I bought two packets of these Chinese 1/4-20 T-nuts. Hopefully true stainless as listed and not Chinesium:

I had a failed effort at using M6 t-nuts. I found a cargo box on Craigs list, which sat on upright M6 threaded posts that slid into a Yakima/Thule type crossbar slot, which would open from a hinged end cap. To slide these posts into the TRMR I'd have to un-bolt my crossbars--both sides!--then screw them back in. After failing to find satisfactory M6 T-nuts (drop in or permanent), I abandoned that, drilled the cargo box's mounting holes to 3/8, and now mount it on 1/4-20 threaded studs. Which are anchored in the T-nuts.

I saw somebody selling a simple plate to attach to roof crossbars for over $100--and then you'd attach gear (like a farm jack?) to the plate. Why not secure the farm jack right to the crossbars instead? I put 4 of these 1/4-20 t-nuts in every TRMR slot, back to front. They slide this way and that, no problem, but I'll have an abundance of tie-down points for O-rings, bolts, the cargo box, rubber grip clamps (for shovels, etc.) and so on.

Here are your eye bolts:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rXzUsDJgS._SY445_SX342_QL70_FMwebp_.jpg

Available in packs of 2, 4, or 6 from this Amazon vendor.

Here's what you do: assuming you have T-nuts already installed in your TRMR crossbar slots, you thread a 1/4-20 nut halfway up the shank. Then you put a washer on the shank, and screw it (the shank) into the T-nut in your TRMR slot. When that's tight (careful--you're bolting steel onto aluminum!), screw the nut downwards onto the crossbar, and tighten (carefully) with a wrench. That eye bolt should hold your stratchet, tie-down strap, whatever you got. When you're through with that trip or load, remove the eye bolts for a nice, clean-looking roof, and store your hardware in a ziplock bag or something for your next use.

My system also means I don't have carriage bolts of different heights sticking up off my TRMR. Besides looking sloppy, they might catch on things. I keep a small parts bin in my back where all my TRMR fittings, plus a few tools, are always available and organized. BYW I bought cheaper zinc-coated eyebolts because they're not exposed full-time to the elements.

That is exactly what I was trying to do . Thanks a million @BostonBadlands ! Canceled my carriage bolts and female eyes and went with your links ! I'm going to miss those female eyes !