I connected the cross brace first and then put the entire assembly on the roof. The cross brace I found it was better to have it about 1 to 2 full turns from being fully tightened. Once the rails are screwed down to the roof then tighten the cross brass.

The loading of the rails is not the issue. It is the total combined weight including roof rack on the roof which is 75 kg. The Land Rover original rails the maximum weight is 64 kg. So Land Rover are subtracting 11 kg for the mass of the rails and bars. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

I wouldn't be too concerned with load on the roof rails as in the event of an accident and consequent roll over the structural load on the roof structure would be far in excess of 75kgs. Cars are designed to protect occupants therefore the passenger cell must stay intact, ie roof structure shouldn't collapse!
Freelander 2 has the highest, 5 star, safety level. Evoque is 4 star btw!
I think the main story here is that you are placing a load high above the cars centre of gravity, not the "safe" load that can be exerted on the roof or rail system.
So caution should be observed driving whilst carrying loads on the roof! MY15
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75 kgs would be SWL (safe working load) to be within the design limitations of the car and local regulations.

I have transported obscene quantities of materials on & in, previous cars but was very careful to avoid potholes etc & drive very carefully.

I put rear air shock in my old Peugeot 504 (first car). I carried a full boot of 20mm blue metal to the last possible stone. With the air shocks pumped up with on board pump to over maximum drove home slowly without any issues with the car.

At the other end of the spectrum compared to a Holden one tonne ute with 500 kg onboard at 20 kph it was all over the road. I would never do it again as it was so dangerous. I really don't know how it could possibly have carried 1 tonne. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Tyres!!!!
Most Holden utes are bought by boy racers hence have purely passenger tyres fitted!! Put a load in and even at max psi they are terrible! That's even if they remember to raise tyre pressures!!! MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
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Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

This was a work vehicle, one of many, very well maintained be a large company. All drivers were responsible. I remember when I was working in the warehouse we weighed a test load and the cart springs were flat at half a load 500/1000kg. Any more than that and they bowed in the opposite direction! Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

oldgeezer wrote:

Hi
To remove the blanking plugs they need to be prised out.
The best way to remove them is too use a trim removal tool. Its like a split fork.
Otherwise I used to large flat blade screw drivers and gently prised them out.
just be very gentle with the trim and patient.
rgds OG

They are put in under pressure, there is no thread on them theyu are ribbed.

I have a pair of wire strippers like this that I used to pull them straight out.

I drilled 2 small holes 180 degrees apart. You don't even need to drill through, just a couple of dimples. Then use a pair of point nose pliers to unscrew the plug.

It takes longer to drill than it takes to unscrew the plugs.

I used a pin vice to hold a small drill bit as my smallest drill was too oversized for the job. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Hello!
This afternoon i fited the rail bars.
Great look.
And it will be usefull!
Thanks for all the help here!
Next i will put some pictures.

An update on aftermarket roof rails, these are less than 12 months old and the aluminium cast parts are corroding and the paint finish peeling off. I might tape these rather than paint them, they will be used in August on holiday and will remove them after that as they will most likely not be used again.

Fitted some £119 aftermarket rails yesterday....and now really wished I hadn't.
One bolt sheared before reaching the 12NM torque required.
Three of the four plastic trim clips broke requiring tape and Sikaflex to hold them on.
The whole lot (with wet sealant) then had to come off in order to fit the cross bar.
Powder coat looks thin.
I am a competent DIY-er.... had watched the videos.... and read the instructions.
Took two hours and has left me with that hollow feeling.
Spend wisely!

2 years on and the genuine LR rails are as good as new and I use them all the time for large loads.
I think there is some good advice for those looking to purchase rails.....
Some after market product can be good.....these are not!

 MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

Had all 3 freelander 2 all with roof rails (dealer fitted 2nd one )

the rear d/s plastic cap flew off after leaving dealers , told them where it was if they wanted to and get it
(main Chester to N Wales train line ...!! )

After looking at it went back into workshop came back with a new one (and what looked like 3/4 tube black mastic/sealant )from the other 3 corners God help the person that try to remove those ...!  Wales
Were the mud is thicker, and the ruts are deeper.
(And we have the water to wash it off, and more on the way..! )
Sd4 and chrome Ar*e piece, Auto box for best fun
09 Xs Gone
12 xs Gone
HSE with Leather seats and 4 years warrenty.. staying for now !

taztastic wrote:

An update on aftermarket roof rails, these are less than 12 months old and the aluminium cast parts are corroding and the paint finish peeling off. I might tape these rather than paint them, they will be used in August on holiday and will remove them after that as they will most likely not be used again.

I have exactly the same problem, but worse! Will post photos in the morning when the sun is up.

When it first happened I repainted with Hammerite, but now there is too much to paint