Flipping roof rack cross bars

[JD914]

I've been looking into roof baskets lately and have noticed several people building custom attachments to lower their basket off the stock cross bars. Has anybody tried simply flipping the stock cross bars before mounting up their basket? I quickly glanced at them and it almost seems like the bars themselves might slide out of the pieces that attach them to the side bars, and there also seems to be enough clearance for the bars upside down.

Could this be a simple way to lower a roof basket? Has anybody tried this? Or should I just go outside and freakin' try it myself?

 

[Doozi]

Interesting... I'll look at mine, but let us know what you figure out.

 

[gaterose]

You should be able to flip the bars, but I believe flipping them upside down will decrease the load capacity. I'm pretty sure the arch increases the capacity.

The capacity is only 100-120 lbs and most cargo baskets weigh 35-45 lbs, I wouldn't want to decrease the capacity too much if you plan to carry anything in the basket.

 

[JD914]

You should be able to flip the bars, but I believe flipping them upside down will decrease the load capacity. I'm pretty sure the arch increases the capacity.

The capacity is only 100-120 lbs and most cargo baskets weigh 35-45 lbs, I wouldn't want to decrease the capacity too much if you plan to carry anything in the basket.

Good point. You're right, flipping the bars would eliminate the arch, lowering capacity too much to be useful.
I guess if I do go with a basket, I'm going to need to either fab up a set of custom brackets or have somebody do it for me.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

I actually considered this too since I just recently added a Rola roof basket. However, the decrease in capacity doesn't seem like it would be worth it. I have looking into the lowering brackets, but the guy I talked to wants like $75-$100 bucks for a set. The basket itself is only slightly more expensive than that, so I haven't been able to justify that purchase to myself yet.
Maybe if someone comes up with a more affordable alternative, I'd jump on it, but for now, I just don't think it would be worth it for me.

 

[Doozi]

You should be able to flip the bars, but I believe flipping them upside down will decrease the load capacity. I'm pretty sure the arch increases the capacity.

The capacity is only 100-120 lbs and most cargo baskets weigh 35-45 lbs, I wouldn't want to decrease the capacity too much if you plan to carry anything in the basket.

Good point!

 

[xxaarraa]

Anyone tried the weathertech basket that straps on to factory cross bars? I looked at it the other day on their site and it looked promising.