Frequently Asked Questions
How long is my warranty?
Here at Rhino-Rack we are committed to stand behind every product we sell.
The specific warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. You can either check with one
of our professional sales staff directly in your local store, or you can ask The Rack Doctor
online for the warranty on specific products.
What type of roof rack do I need to buy to suit my car?
Roof racks are made to work on a majority of the vehicles in the market, however there
are specific types of racks for specific models of vehicles. Here is a general guideline to help you
determine which roof rack will work best with your vehicle.
Vehicles with rain gutters
Just like the roof of your house some cars have rain gutters.
These are the raised sections that run longitudinally along the roof of your car. There are fewer and fewer
of these vehicles made these days. A rain gutter mounted roof rack will work on just about all
vehicles with rain gutters. You may have to change the length of the cross-bars you are using depending
on the width of your vehicle, but more than likely, you can take the rack off 1 vehicle
and put it on another.
Gutter-less vehicles
This type of vehicle has what is called aero doors, that is, the doors curve to
meet the roofline with no external protrusions. These vehicles have an
"internal" rain gutter where the rain gutter is inside the doorframe instead of
on top of the roof. The roof rack for this type of vehicle consists of a couple
of parts; the "leg" (sits on a rubber pad that rests on the roof) and the
"strap" which attaches to the internal rain gutter and holds the roof rack on to
your vehicle. The legs used are usually generic in design and made to work on
different types of vehicles, whereas the straps are made to fit on specific
vehicles. This special fit is required because of the different roofline and
doorframe shapes each vehicle has. For wagons and 4WD's that fall into this
category the factory style track mount system has proven to be a popular,
reliable choice. The 2/3 door hatch vehicle's have few mounting points so the
fixed-mount is the chosen option.
Vehicles with factory roof rails
More and more wagons and lately a growing number of 4WD's
have rail style roof racks available as an option from the manufacturer. However, the
majority of these roof racks are designed strictly for looks and not for function. In order
to make the roof rack work, you will need to add a cross-bar kit. Choices are there for
economy, aero or commercial designs. If you plan on purchasing a vehicle with factory
racks, chances are the conversion will work on your new rack.
Vehicles with factory mount points
Some gutter less vehicles have factory provided points
within the roof design of the vehicle, which makes for ease of installation in these
factory provided points.
What if I don't have rain gutters?
Most modern cars are now made without rain gutters. So,
a large proportion of roof rack options are for cars without rain gutters, these
incorporate removable and permanent mount designs alike.
Will I get leaks in my vehicle from the roof racks?
When properly installed, roof racks will not cause
leaking on the vehicle. All manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure that this won't happen.
We carefully choose the products that we sell and recommend.
Why is it so expensive, racks used to be cheaper?
Since cars with rain gutters are a dying breed, roof rack
manufacturers are no longer able to make one rack that fits all vehicles. Roof Racks must be
made to individually fit on vehicles with different shaped rooflines, doorframes and doors.
Non-rain gutter roof racks have legs that work on a large number of vehicles, but have vehicle
specific "straps" that work on just that one vehicle. With hundreds of different types of
vehicles on the market, there are hundreds of different types of "straps". The use by the better
manufacturers of long lasting corrosion resistant materials such as stainless steel and specific
plating compounds ensure long use, but at an increased price. Adding to this increasing
complexity of roof racks comes the increased price. However, the most expensive part of a roof
rack can be its accessories (bike, ski, luggage) therefore, even if you have to buy a
completely new roof rack, the accessories will still be usable on your next set of roof racks
in most situations with generic brand racks.
Do I need tools to install my rack?
Most roof racks don't require special tools to fit them
to your vehicle. If tools are required, they are usually included with the kit, this is
usually as simple as an Allen Key. If you don't want to do the fitting yourself why
not use our professional fitting service at your local Rhino-Rack outlet.
Do I need to drill holes to attach my rack?
Unless you are mounting a factory style track system,
there is no drilling required. But don't be scared of this process, our professional
installers have been expertly trained and used the same methods and materials as that
which the vehicle manufacturers employ on the production assembly line.
If I drill holes in my roof will it rust and leak?
With more and more vehicles not having traditional rain
gutters the track mount and fixed mount systems are the only option. The manufacturers have
kept up with technological advances and we employ those same methods here at Rhino-Rack.
Here are the basics of the installation process we employ. By using the roof rack manufacturers
recommended mounting positions the racks are carefully aligned on the roof and the location
of the mounting holes are marked. These holes are drilled to a safe depth and all waste metal
filings are removed from the surrounding areas; (this is highly important). These holes are
treated with a specific anti-corrosion paint and a neutral cure silicon compound. The tracks
or mounting pads are riveted to the roof surface using a specially formed self-sealing rivet.
This is a self-sealing rivet in design, preventing water penetration. So the cleaning process,
the anti corrosion treatment, neutral cure silicon compound application and the design of the
self sealing rivet all ensure NO RUST, NO LEAKS.
Will roof racks scratch my car?
When properly installed to a clean vehicle roof, the roof rack
will not scratch or cause any type of damage to your vehicle. It is recommended that you remove the
roof racks and periodically clean the area to prevent the possibility of any surface damage from road
grime build-ups.
How can I stop my roof racks from being stolen?
Many racks come standard with security locking devices.
If not supplied as standard there are many locking options available on the market.
How much weight can I carry on my roof racks?
When calculating just how much you can carry on your
vehicle the best way is to consult your vehicle manual for specific carrying capacities. This
can also be determined by the style and brand of roof rack. Check the online Rack Selector
or ask the Rack Doctor, either of these will give you the full details.
Are roof racks noisy?
In some instances the fitting of roof racks can alter the
aerodynamics of the vehicle, and it would be physically impossible for them to not make some
small wind noise. However in many cars we find the road noise from the tyres are louder than
the roof racks themselves. If the noise is bothersome, take the rack off when you're not using
it.
How long should my rack last?
When properly taken care of, your roof racks should last
for the life of the car. In our experience and at the roof rack manufacturers recommendation,
if you use your rack consistently, but remove it a few times a year to clean it, it's just
not an issue.
Warrantees & Guarantees
Rhino-Rack warrants this product against defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of three years from the date of original retail purchase.
This warranty is given to the original retail purchaser and does not apply to re-sale.
This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear of the
product, accidental or malicious damage, misuse or incorrect fitting to the vehicle.
Rhino-Rack agrees to repair or replace
(at is option) this product provided that:
- the product was not misused;
- the product's failure resulted from a defect in material or workmanship
and not from wear normally to be expected in the use of the product;
- the defective product or parts delivered to Rhino-Rack, accompanied by proof of
purchase, post-marked or shipped within 3 years of purchase by the first consumer
purchaser.
Rhino-Rack, 3 Pike St, Rydalmere NSW 2116 Australia.
Tel 61-(0)2 9638 4744 Fax61-(0)2 9638 4822