How to lock a factory installed crossbar?

07-05-2004, 04:32 PM

My question is - If I buy a lockable ski roof rack from Thule or
Yakima and mount it on my factory installed crossbar, I still have to
lock the factory installed crossbar, don't I? It is simply attached
to the rails by allen screws. How do I lock these? Is getting
separate towers and crossbars the only alternative?

I would appreciate any thoughts.
-Recently initiated.

07-05-2004, 10:24 PM

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Cricket Fan wrote:
> My question is - If I buy a lockable ski roof rack from Thule or
> Yakima and mount it on my factory installed crossbar, I still have to
> lock the factory installed crossbar, don't I? It is simply attached
> to the rails by allen screws. How do I lock these? Is getting
> separate towers and crossbars the only alternative?
>
> I would appreciate any thoughts.
> -Recently initiated.

I'm not aware of any way to lock the factory crossbars. Fortunately, I also
live in an area where theft isn't a major concern. I've considered having
some replacement bolts made up with keyed heads (similar to locking wheel
lugs), but haven't gotten around to actually doing so yet. I have a friend
who's an excellent machinist and who I'll recruit to make them for me. If
you're not lucky enough to have such a friend, any machine shop should be
able to make them for you. I'll probably have them made up before using the
crossbars someplace far away from home, where theft might be a concern. (If
you go this route, don't forget to have the shop make up a wrench or two to
fit the keyed bolt heads!)

HTH,

- Greg Reed

--
2001 Chevy Astro AWD (wife's)
2004 Subaru Forester Turbo 5-Speed

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07-05-2004, 10:24 PM

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Cricket Fan wrote:
> My question is - If I buy a lockable ski roof rack from Thule or
> Yakima and mount it on my factory installed crossbar, I still have to
> lock the factory installed crossbar, don't I? It is simply attached
> to the rails by allen screws. How do I lock these? Is getting
> separate towers and crossbars the only alternative?
>
> I would appreciate any thoughts.
> -Recently initiated.

I'm not aware of any way to lock the factory crossbars. Fortunately, I also
live in an area where theft isn't a major concern. I've considered having
some replacement bolts made up with keyed heads (similar to locking wheel
lugs), but haven't gotten around to actually doing so yet. I have a friend
who's an excellent machinist and who I'll recruit to make them for me. If
you're not lucky enough to have such a friend, any machine shop should be
able to make them for you. I'll probably have them made up before using the
crossbars someplace far away from home, where theft might be a concern. (If
you go this route, don't forget to have the shop make up a wrench or two to
fit the keyed bolt heads!)

HTH,

- Greg Reed

--
2001 Chevy Astro AWD (wife's)
2004 Subaru Forester Turbo 5-Speed

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07-05-2004, 10:24 PM

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Cricket Fan wrote:
> My question is - If I buy a lockable ski roof rack from Thule or
> Yakima and mount it on my factory installed crossbar, I still have to
> lock the factory installed crossbar, don't I? It is simply attached
> to the rails by allen screws. How do I lock these? Is getting
> separate towers and crossbars the only alternative?
>
> I would appreciate any thoughts.
> -Recently initiated.

I'm not aware of any way to lock the factory crossbars. Fortunately, I also
live in an area where theft isn't a major concern. I've considered having
some replacement bolts made up with keyed heads (similar to locking wheel
lugs), but haven't gotten around to actually doing so yet. I have a friend
who's an excellent machinist and who I'll recruit to make them for me. If
you're not lucky enough to have such a friend, any machine shop should be
able to make them for you. I'll probably have them made up before using the
crossbars someplace far away from home, where theft might be a concern. (If
you go this route, don't forget to have the shop make up a wrench or two to
fit the keyed bolt heads!)

HTH,

- Greg Reed

--
2001 Chevy Astro AWD (wife's)
2004 Subaru Forester Turbo 5-Speed

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07-05-2004, 10:24 PM

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Cricket Fan wrote:
> My question is - If I buy a lockable ski roof rack from Thule or
> Yakima and mount it on my factory installed crossbar, I still have to
> lock the factory installed crossbar, don't I? It is simply attached
> to the rails by allen screws. How do I lock these? Is getting
> separate towers and crossbars the only alternative?
>
> I would appreciate any thoughts.
> -Recently initiated.

I'm not aware of any way to lock the factory crossbars. Fortunately, I also
live in an area where theft isn't a major concern. I've considered having
some replacement bolts made up with keyed heads (similar to locking wheel
lugs), but haven't gotten around to actually doing so yet. I have a friend
who's an excellent machinist and who I'll recruit to make them for me. If
you're not lucky enough to have such a friend, any machine shop should be
able to make them for you. I'll probably have them made up before using the
crossbars someplace far away from home, where theft might be a concern. (If
you go this route, don't forget to have the shop make up a wrench or two to
fit the keyed bolt heads!)

HTH,

- Greg Reed

--
2001 Chevy Astro AWD (wife's)
2004 Subaru Forester Turbo 5-Speed

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07-05-2004, 10:24 PM

*** post for FREE via your newsreader at post.newsfeed.com ***

Cricket Fan wrote:
> My question is - If I buy a lockable ski roof rack from Thule or
> Yakima and mount it on my factory installed crossbar, I still have to
> lock the factory installed crossbar, don't I? It is simply attached
> to the rails by allen screws. How do I lock these? Is getting
> separate towers and crossbars the only alternative?
>
> I would appreciate any thoughts.
> -Recently initiated.

I'm not aware of any way to lock the factory crossbars. Fortunately, I also
live in an area where theft isn't a major concern. I've considered having
some replacement bolts made up with keyed heads (similar to locking wheel
lugs), but haven't gotten around to actually doing so yet. I have a friend
who's an excellent machinist and who I'll recruit to make them for me. If
you're not lucky enough to have such a friend, any machine shop should be
able to make them for you. I'll probably have them made up before using the
crossbars someplace far away from home, where theft might be a concern. (If
you go this route, don't forget to have the shop make up a wrench or two to
fit the keyed bolt heads!)

HTH,

- Greg Reed

--
2001 Chevy Astro AWD (wife's)
2004 Subaru Forester Turbo 5-Speed

-----= Posted via Newsfeed.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
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