Hi Folks, I acquired a 2019 D5 Td6 a couple of months ago, my previous vehicle a long serving L322 finally gave up the ghost, a little prematurely sadly. Anyway I had a Slimline II rack installed on that one, and wanted to use it on the D5, so here is what I did - I used the FrontRunner Outfitter mounting brackets which allow the platform to be clamped directly to the existing roof rails. My platform is not full length so these work very well.

 

Here are the part numbers:

2x GOFR001 - Rail Foot Base (Pair)
2x GOFR014 - Flush Rail Outer Grips / No. 6
2x GOFR031 - Flush Rail Inner Grips / B

 

I like this solution much better than the hard mounts. Easier to get on and off.

I wish the rack could sit lower and closer to the rails though.

 

Yes - for looks indeed. But adequate underneath access is nice to have sometimes.

I also have some Rhinorack crossbars which I use in winter for mounting my Yakima ski box - so easy off and on is a must for me.

 

So, oddly enough. I was on the FrontRunner site looking for these and the only way I could find them not in a rack package was to talk to customer service.

Long story short, they said these didn't work for "my application" on the D5. I told him I knew of someone using them exactly like this and that FR used to sell the Slimline rack this way as an option for the D5, lol

I got a quick "let me check on that for you"

LOL

 

Interesting response:

"I went ahead and followed up with my manager regarding this and we decided to offer the kit with the footrails when we discovered that it would be a more secure solution. We had issue with customers overloading this rack and for safety and liability reasons went with the more secure solution."

 

Yes - I ordered mine from a website called Rugged Outlander - they listed the D5 as an option etc. etc. Like I said I have a short rack 4ft x 3ft, and I have no plans to sleep on it so from my pov it works just fine. Heck, they have the Audi one, it's the same rails.

FYI I'm a mechanical engineer who has worked for NASA for 25 years, so it's not like I'm particularly clueless.

 

Oh, I'm sure that FR's position is mostly CYA.

Like you, my rack is for light duty so no worries.