Unlock vertical freedom with our Roof Rack Riser Bar Kits
A great solution for adding solar panels and deck platforms above fans, AC units, or stacking gear like kayaks above these components, with no interference. Whether you're mounting a rooftop tent, kayak, storage box, or building a multi-layered solar deck system, these bars give you the strength, clearance, and configurability your build demands. Designed for dynamic builds:
- Choose from Standard Length (rack width) or Extended Length crossbars (~5" overhang each side). Both can be cut for a custom fit.
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Flexible Mounting Options:
- Brackets can mount on top of existing roof rack crossbars or to L‑Track slots in our deck panels.
- Riser crossbars can be installed on top of the riser brackets or trimmed to fit below them, giving you about 1 3/16" of vertical adjustment to fine-tune your setup's roof clearance based on your needs.
- Includes Flip‑style End Caps with Integrated Tie‑downs - use in either orientation.
- Made from 3/16″ Aluminum
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Choose from Standard Support or Heavy Duty Kits
- Standard: Maximum dynamic load is 150 lbs per kit. Ideal for solar panels, deck platforms, or general roof gear.
- Heavy-Duty: Includes 2 extra brackets per crossbar for rooftop tents, or when extra support is needed. Maximum dynamic load is 250 lbs (while driving), 500 lbs while parked (static).
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Roof Clearance: Riser Bars provide approximately 2.7" to 5.7" of additional height above an existing Orion rack system*. Both Transit and Sprinter riser brackets offer around 8.75" of total clearance from the center of the van’s roof to the bottom of a crossbar (when top-mounted) and 7.5" of clearance to the bottom of a crossbar (when bottom-mounted), giving enough space to clear centered roof appliances like fans or air conditioners. When mounted on deck panels, it adds +0.129" (deck panel thickness) to either configuration.
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*Ford Transit
- Total bracket height: 5.7"
- Top-mounted: adds ~5.7" of clearance above racks crossbars (~6.7" to the top of the crossbar)
- Under-mounted: adds ~4.5" of clearance above racks crossbars
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*Mercedes Sprinter
- Total bracket height: 3.9"
- Top-mounted: adds ~3.9" of clearance above racks crossbars (~4.9" to the top of the crossbar)
- Under-mounted: adds ~2.7" of clearance above racks crossbars
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*Ford Transit
While our brackets and bars are built to handle serious weight, always follow your vehicle and rack manufacturer’s published limits to avoid structural risk. This system lets you keep permanent gear like solar panels mounted low, while adding usable crossbars for load‑outs above, a true multi‑layer rack solution for adventure vans and work rigs alike.
Compatibility:
- Designed for use on Orion Roof Racks but compatible with any 1020 crossbar (10S 2" x 1" slotted aluminum extrusion), including our transit and sprinter roof racks.
- If not using our roof rack, clearance heights will differ.
- Depending on the width of the rack and your desired width, you may need to cut the crossbars.
Roof Rack Riser Bars
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Crossbar Lengths | Sprinter Standard: 53.875", Extended: 63.875" Transit Standard: 62", Extended: 72" |
| Bracket Material | 3/16” Thick Aluminum, powder-coated |
| Crossbars | 1020 Aluminum Extrusion; cuttable; mounts on or between brackets |
| End Caps | Flip-style anodized caps with built-in tie-down loops |
| Mounting Compatibility | Crossbars and/or L-Track deck panel slots |
| Height Added | Approximately 2.7" - 5.8" above roof rack crossbars (varies by van model and mounting method) |
| Max Suggested Load | 150 lbs per standard kit / 500 lbs per heavy-duty kit |
| Heavy-Duty Use | Use 4 brackets per crossbar for RTTs, large decks, etc. |
| Included Hardware | Stainless steel spring drop-in T-nuts (10-series) & 316 flanged bolts |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) click to expand
1.How much height do these riser bars add?
Our roof rack riser bar kit adds about 2.7" - 5.8" of height above your existing crossbars, depending on the model of riser chosen, van model, and mounting method. Thats roughly 7.7" - 8.75" of clerance between roof and bottom of crossbars; enough to clear most AC units, some fans, or mount gear layers like solar panels or decks above other equipment.
2.Can I mount rooftop tents (RTTs) or heavy gear?
Yes. For rooftop tents or high-weight builds, we recommend the heavy duty variant. This doubles the support and safely boosts static and dynamic load limits. Always follow your rack and vehicle’s specs.
3.What are the stacking benefits of this kit?
This system lets you stack gear vertically, for example, mount solar panels or a deck platform over an existing fan, air conditioner, or other rooftop fixture. Or secure a kayak above solar/fans/AC. It maximizes space without removal or repositioning of existing installs.
4.How do the flip end caps work?
Each end cap includes built-in tie-down loops and can be flipped vertically to stand upright or lay flush, depending on how you want to secure your gear and how you mount your crossbars to the brackets.
5.What's the difference between “extended” and “standard” crossbar options?
Standard Length matches your roof rack’s crossbar length. Extended Length adds ~5" overhang per side for more mounting width, ideal for larger items or wider tie-down points. Both options are cuttable to size.
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