Hey everyone! I recently upgraded to a Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, and while I absolutely love the plug-in hybrid performance, I’m finding that the interior cargo space fills up incredibly fast during our family weekend trips. I’m in the market for a high-quality roof rack system, but I have a few specific concerns given the Aviator’s design.
First off, I have the Panoramic Vista Roof, and I’m a bit nervous about crossbars interfering with the glass or causing extra vibration. I really want to ensure there’s plenty of clearance when the roof is tilted or open. Secondly, since the Grand Touring is so quiet in EV mode, I’m worried about wind noise or that annoying whistling sound some racks produce at highway speeds. I’ve been looking at the Thule WingBar Edge and the Yakima JetStream, but I’m torn between going with an aftermarket setup or just sticking with the official Lincoln OEM bars.
Has anyone here installed a rack on their Grand Touring? I’m curious if you noticed a significant hit to your electric range and which brands offer the best fit for the factory side rails. What specific roof rack systems would you recommend for a balance of aesthetics and quiet performance?
sooo, check the **Rack Attack** fit tool—it’s a great resource!
- Low-profile bars almost cracked my roof... scary!
- Try Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Bar Black 1375mm with VGS strips.
- Lesson: basically, clearance over aesthetics!!
i remember dropping a fortune on big-brand bars years ago, total waste. For your situation, i suggest:
- Malone AirFlow2 Universal Cross Rail System 50 inch
- Price: around $160 (saves you $400+)
- Performance: sits higher for glass clearance and stays quiet in EV
Basically, i learned you dont need to spend $600 for a solid, quiet setup that fits the rails perfectly... gl!
> First off, I have the Panoramic Vista Roof, and I’m a bit nervous about crossbars interfering with the glass...
Warning: avoid those ultra-low-profile "flush" bars! They look cool but honestly dont leave enough gap for the Vista Roof to tilt without hitting. Stick with the aero thru-bars from Thule or Yakima instead. They sit slightly higher, basically killing that whistling noise and keeping your glass safe. Ngl, the range hit is tiny—you'll barely notice it in EV mode. gl!