connectkid Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 I need help. I have a 2014 TC LWB Wagon. I am a construction foreman and I want to put heavy duty racks on it. Only problem is, it currently has factory roof bars on it. How can id remove the roof bars to make way for a ladder rack. Or, what are some brands of some good roof racks that clip onto the bars? I may keep them and buy a bar set if I can find a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikinchris Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 The first thing you need know is that the factory rack is not rated for heavy loads. You can sell that rack for a decent price since new roof racks are a whole lot of money. There are a lot of companies who make good heavy duty roof racks, capable of carrying ten times what the factory rack is rated at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I need help. I have a 2014 TC LWB Wagon. I am a construction foreman and I want to put heavy duty racks on it. Only problem is, it currently has factory roof bars on it. How can id remove the roof bars to make way for a ladder rack. Or, what are some brands of some good roof racks that clip onto the bars? I may keep them and buy a bar set if I can find a good one. there is already a three page thread that discusses roof rack options for Gen 2 TC's (2014 and newer) so check that out for starters. http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/2406-roof-attachment-points-on-2014-transit-connect/ I agree with what bikinchris said. The OEM rails and cross bars have a max load limit, which is probably light duty. I'm sure the aftermarket rack solutions are much better, but they would know the max load rating for their products. I've seen in parking lots like Home Depot Gen 2 TC's with some beefy looking ladder racks on tradesman vans. keep us posted on what you find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikinchris Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 He should place an ad where he offers to trade the factory rack for a good ladder rack in trade. Those ladder racks are not all that much money and the factory roof rack is way too much money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prodrive Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I can buy ur roof rails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddwal50 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I have a 2014 transit connect wagon when looking into roof racks I found the factory roof racks are very light duty I went with thule roof racks instead of using the factory crush nuts in the pre drilled holes I used bolts and washers now I have 5 permently mounted roof racks bikinchris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Post some photos so that we can see what you're talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiller Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Maybe this thread might be of help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddwal50 Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Thule roof racks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 You're missing a few, there's still room left. Loafer and bikinchris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark A Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Hello. These look great. I have a 2016 Titanium and would like to do something similar. My question is was it difficult to remove the roof rails (if yours had them) and can this all be done from the exterior and not have to drill through the van roof? Thank you win advance. I seem to get conflicting answers around the www. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinocarsfast Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 4 hours ago, Mark A said: Hello. These look great. I have a 2016 Titanium and would like to do something similar. My question is was it difficult to remove the roof rails (if yours had them) and can this all be done from the exterior and not have to drill through the van roof? Thank you win advance. I seem to get conflicting answers around the www. I believe the side rails are bolted from the inside in 5 locations on each side. If you see a van without the side rails they will have plastic caps covering the holes. I dont have any pictures now but I think eddwal50's pictures show the 5 locations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loafer Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 I seem to remember reading here that the Transit Connect roof weight limit was 225 lbs. Can anyone clarify that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 This is what Page 134 of my owner's manual say's. I think the rating has more to do with Vehicle stability then any other factor. Maximum Load Weights Do not exceed the following maximum roof rack load weights. Maximum Load lb (kg)* Variant Wagon - short 132 lb (60 kg) wheel base with panoramic roof panel Wagon - short 165 lb (75 kg) wheel base with metal roof panel Wagon - long 165 lb (75 kg) wheel base Van 165 lb (75 kg) *Evenly distribute the load on the roof rack. Loafer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loafer Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Thanks G B L ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 The low load limits are only derived from safe center of gravity. This is to prevent the car from tipping over when overloaded and top-heavy. You can safely install a pop-up tent on sleep on the roof rack together with your companion. Loafer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loafer Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Yah mrtn, I was wondering about that. That's good to know. I was concerned that the built in bracket points might not support extra weight. With the heavy duty roof rack, and the added cargo basket, plus cargo it's easy to exceed 225 lbs. Fortunately the cargo in the van plus my son's weight helped to stabilize the extra weight on the roof. I believe he has driven enough across the country in most geographical and weather conditions safely that he knows the limits of the van. He is headed to Oregon next. Last year he fell in love with the southern states especially Florida. This year he is doing the same on the west coast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewitt Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 On 02/08/2015 at 2:19 PM, connectkid said: I need help. I have a 2014 TC LWB Wagon. I am a construction foreman and I want to put heavy duty racks on it. Only problem is, it currently has factory roof bars on it. How can id remove the roof bars to make way for a ladder rack. Or, what are some brands of some good roof racks that clip onto the bars? I may keep them and buy a bar set if I can find a good one. Rhino bars are by far the best racks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loafer Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Rhino-Rack makes a heavy duty rack, rated at 220 lbs., for the Gen 1 TC's. https://www.etrailer.com/multi-product.aspx?pc1=RLZ01-DC&pc2=&vehicleid=2012988275&hhmake=Ford&hhmodel=Transit Connect&hunter=roof&roofkit=BK_2,SKI_1,C_24,AWN_2,BAG_1,BSK_2&manuf=RHINO If you plan to add a basket on top of those, it will require longer bolts or u-bolts than comes with the basket. Longer stainless steel bolts or u-bolts can be found at Fastenal. https://www.fastenal.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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