Has anyone found a quality solution for bolting mounting gear onto the OEM Explorer rack, without drilling holes into the Aeroblades? I am specifically looking for a good option to bolt a Rotopax universal mounting plate and DMOS Delta shovel mount to the roof. I'm using ratchet straps now (which work well), but I would like the added security of properly bolting these items down.

 

Can’t you use the t-slots in the bars? Should be plenty of options for those. They’re just Thule aero bar t-slots.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, that's a great point I do think the T-slots will be useful for the shovel mount. Unfortunately the Rotopax mount is almost flush with the container, only leaving space for the bolt heads that drop down. Any bolts that have to point up (like bolts in the T-slots) can't be used for it. I think what I really need is something that can go under the blades so I can pass the bolts through it and secure the mount by "squeezing" the blades (w/o damage).

Heck maybe I'm overthinking it and that universal mounting plate is just the wrong mounting solution.

 

I would check out shedlock2000 on YouTube. He covers mounting rotopax and other items on the roof rack.