Securing factory roof cross bars

[basing110]

Ive been searching and cant seem to find where anyone has made a more secure mounting for the factory roof rack cross bars. I want to make some brackets to mount my maxtrax up there and will be tack welding the maxtrax mounting pin nut and running a cable lock through the handles of the maxtrax to the cross bars as well....

The factory cross bars you just need a firm grip or some pliers and you can remove the whole cross bars. I have seen the security bolts online in many sizes and thinking that may be an option but i have not seen anyone do this and know the size of the factory thumb screws.

 

[Bumbo]

Ive been searching and cant seem to find where anyone has made a more secure mounting for the factory roof rack cross bars. I want to make some brackets to mount my maxtrax up there and will be tack welding the maxtrax mounting pin nut and running a cable lock through the handles of the maxtrax to the cross bars as well....

The factory cross bars you just need a firm grip or some pliers and you can remove the whole cross bars. I have seen the security bolts online in many sizes and thinking that may be an option but i have not seen anyone do this and know the size of the factory thumb screws.

I think your cable lock idea is sufficient for the opportune grab and go thief.

Personally, I just store my traction pads in the garage when not in use and not worry about it.

If someone wants something off your truck bad enough, they will take it.

If people are cutting cats off trucks in a driveway, nothing you do to secure it is going to stop someone who is determined to take it.

 

[basing110]

I store them regularly in the garage but taking a 4 day trip to the snow and the vehicle will be packed full of gear and kids.. I will bring them in the garage at night but having to take them down and store inside the vehicle anytime we stop somewhere throughout the day and leave the vehicle seems like a pain in the ass. And i would rather have them then not in case it gets slippery or i decide to do a little light exploring

 

[MightyP]

The cheapest option is probably a bike lock or long padlock to the side rails.

Stronger/more secure cross bars aren't really common. [MENTION=139789]RagoFabrication[/MENTION] is developing something for the 5th Gens that should release soon, but they haven't done anything for the 4th Gen. If there's enough interest, I'm sure they'd make the same thing for us.

 

[Trumpet]

Not to be a downer, but three words:

Battery Powered Sawzall

Nothing is truly secure if someone want's it badly enough, they'll just cause more damage trying to get it. GO with the cables, and store in the house when not in use.

 

[Bumbo]

I store them regularly in the garage but taking a 4 day trip to the snow and the vehicle will be packed full of gear and kids.. I will bring them in the garage at night but having to take them down and store inside the vehicle anytime we stop somewhere throughout the day and leave the vehicle seems like a pain in the ass. And i would rather have them then not in case it gets slippery or i decide to do a little light exploring

You must have just bought them... because you sound like ur still in the honey moon phase with ur new parts.

I know how you feel because I could have a few grand attached to my roof on some trips.

Just cable lock them and dont worry about it. Its enough to prevent some grab and go opportunity thief. That's all I do.

If someone is really targeting you, consider it gone. Its no different than worrying about someone stealing the entire truck too, but that's why things like insurance exist.

 

[basing110]

Yea im in the honeymoon phase lol just dropped $600 for 4 recovery mats. Its alot but didnt want to worry about cracking the tred pros or any other brand.

I know if they want it and have power tools you can do anything about it....but knowing they can pop the plastic end cap on the ends of the factory roof rack relatively easy and then un screw the cross bar thumb nuts by hand and slide it right out just bothers me..i will prob just make some brackets that can attatch to the cross bars and run a lock through the side rails and maxtrax themselves