[midnite cruiser]

With the Christmas cargo load, it was clear I had to get my 20 year old Rocket Box fitted to the MKC. Yakima techs recommended the following:
58" crossbars
set 4 Q towers
pair Q124 F front clips
pair Q32A rear clips

Once in hand, it was clear this fit was unlike the first 5 vehicles I had fit. Each of those had factory rails/racks/rain gutters to clamp to. This fit of the MKC uses the strength of the crossbar under specific tension to clamp the door openings.
So you must precisely set the following dimensions;
M1- 43 1/8" (distance between front towers on bar)
M2- 11" (distance from front tower base to corner of windsheild)
M3- 41 1/4" (distance between rear towers on bar)
M4 - 32" ((distance front to rear bar)

Tensioning each clip side to side grabs the car evenly.

It worked well. Although a 125# limit sounds low, there is always a good amount of bulky cargo we end up hauling. Setting the tailgate opening to avoid the rear of the box, I still had plenty of access to load the trunk. Noise level was not bad, and the gas mileage hit was maybe 1.5-2mpg.

 

[Hunter090]

So what kind of stuff do you use that to transport? Is it mostly for camping trips and the sort, or something else?

 

[midnite cruiser]

I use the box to transport skis, fishing rods, sleeping bags, duffels, etc. Lots of etc. when it is the holidays. I leave the heavy suitcases and coolers down under the hatch. I keep a small plastic step stool in the trunk so I can reach to the far side (center) of the box-tough to reach even when you are 6'.
When I load the bars, I sometimes add a couple loop attachments so kayaks can go on top.
Yakima (and Thule too) have endless attachments for bikes and sport gear.

Having the flexibility to put on the storage only when you need it lets you drive a more nimble fun car. Go to Europe and you see roofs all loaded up. My days of full size SUVs and minivans are way gone.

 

[chessfan]

I have been looking for an option for my mkc with panoramic roof. what a PAIN that Lincoln touts thule racks available but does not disclose the fact that it is only for the regular roof. Are the pads at the base of the racks sufficient to avoid scratching the paint? Those measurements came directly from Yakima?

 

[midnite cruiser]

Yes I have a Reserve with the pano roof and Yakima had no reservations about that.
There are separate pads for front and rear. These are related to the clips and their positions. The front actually has a ridge that catches the small 'fault line' (seam?). The rear is mostly flat but also angled.
Yes I paraphrased the email from the Yakima tech on the items and the measurements.

I don't know if flying down a washboard dirt road in -30F winter weather makes sense with the rack strapped on - I would think twice about that.

 

[kodathedog]

With the Christmas cargo load, it was clear I had to get my 20 year old Rocket Box fitted to the MKC. Yakima techs recommended the following:
58" crossbars
set 4 Q towers
pair Q124 F front clips
pair Q32A rear clips

Once in hand, it was clear this fit was unlike the first 5 vehicles I had fit. Each of those had factory rails/racks/rain gutters to clamp to. This fit of the MKC uses the strength of the crossbar under specific tension to clamp the door openings.
So you must precisely set the following dimensions;
M1- 43 1/8" (distance between front towers on bar)
M2- 11" (distance from front tower base to corner of windsheild)
M3- 41 1/4" (distance between rear towers on bar)
M4 - 32" ((distance front to rear bar)

Tensioning each clip side to side grabs the car evenly.

It worked well. Although a 125# limit sounds low, there is always a good amount of bulky cargo we end up hauling. Setting the tailgate opening to avoid the rear of the box, I still had plenty of access to load the trunk. Noise level was not bad, and the gas mileage hit was maybe 1.5-2mpg.

Please be careful with that set up. The angle of the sheet metal in the door frame is at an angle where the brackets could slip out if subjected to a heavy upward force.

Ford does recommend the Thule rack with the Pano roof, its at lower load limit because of the vehicle stability system isn't set up with a load on the roof and could change the vehicle dynamics

 

[midnite cruiser]

So how are the Thule clips any different? (i.e. don't understand the assertion "that setup"-it is exactly as Yakima prescribes)

This roof design appears on many vehicles now, and is more fussy than days of drip rails.

I would recommend anyone regularly doing roof storage find a shop that can make a permanent installation-yes, drilled and fixed bracketry.

 

[Ryan Kather]

Ford does recommend the Thule rack with the Pano roof, its at lower load limit because of the vehicle stability system isn't set up with a load on the roof and could change the vehicle dynamics

Actually Ford does not recommend the Thule rack with the pano roof. The owners manual talks about a lower load limit for roof racks with a the pano roof, but you'll note that on the official Lincoln Accessories site for the MKC the Thule rack specifically says not compatible with pano roof.

I've also confirmed this with Lincoln concierge. See attached screenshot;

Even still, I think people have done it. I think it will always be this situation of, unofficially supported, due to liability reasons. As discussed in the other roof rack thread. Glad to see people doing it though, I haven't yet because the thread on cracks in the pano roof have scared me a bit. I may give it a go this summer anyway though.