Roof Rails - which way to go?

My two cents:

1. I ordered the factory roof rack with my Bronco. It's not great, obviously a cheaply made product. But as you said, it is very well priced. The worst part is it provides no standard mechanism for mounting gear... so you either have to drill into the rack, or buy a bunch of adapter brackets/clamps. I ended up selling the factory roof rack... I needed more crossbars ($200/ea) and I just didn't want to dump even more money into a product I didn't like.
2. No experience with that personally, but I do agree it seems very practical.
3. This is the option I went with. With a Bronco Nation membership you get a fairly heft discount on their racks, and it's an American company with a product made in America, and the @TrailRax folks seem to be willing to work with customers to customize the racks as needed. You can read about my thoughts (and others) here.
4. I've seen this as well. Given my personal experience with the OEM rack, I would not at all be surprised if that is EXACTLY the same as the OEM rack. Not the first time a supplier in China has some under-the-table deals and is leaking OEM product into the market to pad their pockets a little more. @Porkchop4464 ordered one of those racks over the holidays and seems happy with it.

10% discount if you order TrailRax through this site. Check around for free shipping discount code.

I'm in the same boat.. & wanting to use about $350 in Ford Points. Been eying this one - https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/BR6RK-S.html..Nice looking, but is short (you can get an extension), and more expensive than if I bought from Ford with my points. Also, don't really like the way the front hooks under the MIC top..

I currently have the OEM one and looking at getting the $2000 trailrax

I think ZROADZ has a good roof rack but also pricey. I have the 2dr running boards and they are solid, built in Corona,CA I also have the Modular Bumper Light Bar but I am still waiting on the fog lights I ordered before I add it. The running boards are freaking Awesome.

This is great feedback, thank you all! I am new to BN and appreciate the interest and brain sharing.
RagnorKan, thanks for the details and hot-links. Super helpful. Guessing from your tagline we should consult you on burritos as well!

Mandogus

I currently have the OEM one and looking at getting the $2000 trailrax

Deli555 (from the other site) and I will be installing mine (with side PaxRax) (on 4DR, MIC hardtop) in Pembroke Mon 01/30, if you'd like to kibitz.

I have the OEM roof rack on my 4dr Black Diamond and I sprung for the front crossbar using Fordpass points. This may be a dumb questions but the Yakima and Thule roof accessories show using Yakima or Thule crossbars attached to the OEM roof rack then the platform/basket is mounted to the Yakima/Thule crossbars. Can the Yakima/Thule platforms/baskets/accessories be mounted directly to the OEM rack crossbars? If I add the (redundant?) Yakima/Thule crossbars, then the platform, I'm not sure I can clear my garage door :(.

Soslo2636

Can the Yakima/Thule platforms/baskets/accessories be mounted directly to the OEM rack crossbars?

I think the answer is: probably. I have my eye on some used Yakima/Thule cargo roof boxes, but am not going to contact the owners until my Trailrax roof (w)rack is installed. At that point, I think--probably. Most of those boxes seem to be secured to crossbars with some sort of U-fixture, passing up from the crossbar and into the box. (Or maybe down through the box to the crossbar?) Here's a set REI offers for Yakima, and I bet there's something that would work for Thule that is not roof(w)rack or cross-bar proprietary.

So yes, it looks like the basic cargo boxes can be mounted on any number of roofracks, provided they can be adjusted forward or aft. You could always drill holes in the box. I once secured a high-cube Sears roof box to a Sienna factory roofrack with lots of heavy-duty zipties, and it held fine.
Some have special clamps that may be brand specific. Specialty carriers, e.g. bike or kayak, may be less adaptable. My suggestion (and plan) is not to buy a carrier until you (I) have (has) the roof(w)rack installed, and to have it present when purchasing a platform, basket, or cargo box, to make sure it attaches.
(And keep your receipt! Your mileage may vary.)

LO978

Hi everyone,
I am looking for opinions and comments on different roof rail options for a 2dr Big Bend. Would appreciate experiences, thought on aesthetics and suggestions to the choices below. Also if you know other brand choices please share.

1) OEM roof rails: currently my first choice and I can use FordPass$. Price is more reasonable. I have had on order for 3+ months with no indication from dealership when it will be available. I am concerned if I will see them for when I need them this Spring.
2) BajaRack - standard basket. Pricey at $1200. Is it worthwhile? Looks like it can hold a ton, sounds heavy at 70 lb. Basket style seems practical.
3) TrailRax Modular 2 door (TRMR).: similar to BajaRack with cool add on packrack. Still pricey at $1199
4) Amazon Chinese OEM knock-off. Way cheaper, about $450, aluminum and I read there can be fit issues. Is this worth the risk? Anyone bought them?

Would welcome any comments, suggestions etc
Thanks!

On the Ford accessories site I've noticed the OEM rack is available ONLY if you add the dealership install option. Seems suspect I can add it but when I remove the installation it says not available once I add installation back on its magically available.

OrangecrushBronco

On the Ford accessories site I've noticed the OEM rack is available ONLY if you add the dealership install option. Seems suspect I can add it but when I remove the installation it says not available once I add installation back on its magically available.

Talk to your local parts counter.
Ford has occasional sales, usually 20% off, if you can wait. I got my Ford storage drawer on a December promotion. Very happy with it. Also, an easy self-install.

I ordered my OEM rails at the end of Oct through my local dealership and was advised they were on back-order from the manufacturer. I have followed up several times with the parts mgr. even noting as OrangeCrush does that the Ford accessories site says they are available with dealer instal…. I asked the parts mgr and he just shrugged his shoulders…. Not very reassuring. Still waiting.
So this is why I am looking at options even if I have to spend 2x. All the replies to this tread are helpful.
BostonBadlands, thanks for invite. Pembrooke isn’t far from me but I have this bothersome thing called work that keeps getting in the way of having fun🙃.

LO978

I ordered my OEM rails at the end of Oct through my local dealership and was advised they were on back-order from the manufacturer. I have followed up several times with the parts mgr. even noting as OrangeCrush does that the Ford accessories site says they are available with dealer instal…. I asked the parts mgr and he just shrugged his shoulders…. Not very reassuring. Still waiting.
So this is why I am looking at options even if I have to spend 2x. All the replies to this tread are helpful.
BostonBadlands, thanks for invite. Pembrooke isn’t far from me but I have this bothersome thing called work that keeps getting in the way of having fun🙃.

I'll message you later. Maybe we can visit your place and show you what we've done. We'll get to Delta555's install at some later date: I'm first, thus the guinea pig.

BostonBadlands

Talk to your local parts counter.
Ford has occasional sales, usually 20% off, if you can wait. I got my Ford storage drawer on a December promotion. Very happy with it. Also, an easy self-install.

Yes I know they've been running a number of 20% off codes nearly continously for the last several months now its 18% which is a bizarre number. That really has nothing to do with my comment though. It seems to make dealers happy and making some $ they currently will only let you add it IF you add dealer install, which was not the case a month ago. I have made numerous orders for a plethora of items amd usually you can add an item to either ship to your local dealership or home and either choose dealer install or not regardless of delivery option. When you create a cart the items have to either be all dealer install or all not for instance if you had 5 items and wanted install on just one you'd have to place 2 separate orders. Even items such as the offroad assistance back back or roadside assitance bag have "install" fees of $10 and $20 to place inside the Bronco and if you wanted to order the console safe with install you would have to choose install for all the items. So far (outside of the items I negotiated to have added in the truck purchase) I have not used install on any of my items as I like to spend time doing these things.
I have attached screenshots showing that if you're willing to pay dealer install you can purchase it but if you're not you're SOL.

OrangecrushBronco

It seems to make dealers happy and making some $ they currently will only let you add it IF you add dealer install, which was not the case a month ago. I have made numerous orders for a plethora of items amd usually you can add an item to either ship to your local dealership or home and either choose dealer install or not regardless of delivery option. When you create a cart the items have to either be all dealer install or all not for instance if you had 5 items and wanted install on just one you'd have to place 2 separate orders. Even items such as the offroad assistance back back or roadside assitance bag have "install" fees of $10 and $20 to place inside the Bronco and if you wanted to order the console safe with install you would have to choose install for all the items.

Bummer.
I know Ford's in business to make money, and they realize Bronco owners are eager to click "Add To Cart," but they're getting out of hand.
My suggestion is to be patient, buy only what you need right now, and wait for other items to go on sale. Then order and buy through your dealers. Taking your time and checking various threads may introduce you to more appropriate (price and/or design) aftermarket merchandise. If more of us do this, Ford may realize they pushed too hard with their own merchandise and are losing market share to after-market providers. (And let your dealer know, so he can channel your complaint up to Ford corporate.)

Edit:
https://thebronconation.com/bronco-buy-sell-trade-n.164/for-sale-t.16937/#post-244765

The Mabett rack on Amazon has a promo for a few weeks…

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/aftermarket-roof-rack-for-bronco-4dr-hardtop-2021-2023.63330/

Undescended

The Mabett rack on Amazon has a promo for a few weeks…

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/aftermarket-roof-rack-for-bronco-4dr-hardtop-2021-2023.63330/

Looks good, but also light-duty. Check for its loadbearing, and make sure it will accommodate your expected use. Worth considering: your use may grow, as your camping (etc) ambitions grow, too. I.e., plan for increased need. For example: would you want extra crossbars? Maybe you'll want roof (trail) lights later? Suppose you pick up kayaking, mountain biking, surfing, snowboarding? Will you be able to attach specialty products?

We have a First Edition and tried to order the roof rack but it would was not available option at the time we ordered. We then got OEM rack at dealership and it’s is fine for us to mainly carry a Thule Roof Box. Our only problem with it is that it’s pretty difficult to remove the front tops with the rack installed and you can’t remove the second row tops at all. Has anyone else experienced this and is there maybe a remedy to correct this problem?

LO978

Hi everyone,
I am looking for opinions and comments on different roof rail options for a 2dr Big Bend. Would appreciate experiences, thought on aesthetics and suggestions to the choices below. Also if you know other brand choices please share.

1) OEM roof rails: currently my first choice and I can use FordPass$. Price is more reasonable. I have had on order for 3+ months with no indication from dealership when it will be available. I am concerned if I will see them for when I need them this Spring.
2) BajaRack - standard basket. Pricey at $1200. Is it worthwhile? Looks like it can hold a ton, sounds heavy at 70 lb. Basket style seems practical.
3) TrailRax Modular 2 door (TRMR).: similar to BajaRack with cool add on packrack. Still pricey at $1199
4) Amazon Chinese OEM knock-off. Way cheaper, about $450, aluminum and I read there can be fit issues. Is this worth the risk? Anyone bought them?

Would welcome any comments, suggestions etc
Thanks!

I went with the OEM rack. One thing to consider is what you may plan to put on the rack. I don't have any specific needs in mind. More than likely, it will be for some extra gear if we run out of space in the back or maybe Christmas trees. For my needs, the factory rack is fine.

Keep in mind the weight limit that can be supported by the roof and how much a given rack weighs.