cdbirch

Yep, Theakerr, I guess out of the 99 views no one knows about changing to XM... or no one wants to!

I know the dealer insists XM and Sirius are the same!

PS They aren't!!

Same company, but completely different billing and programming is probably only 10% the same.

The radios are different, as well.

I didn't realize Alaska could not get good coverage, but yet I remember that the satellites are stationed over South America!

Yea, thanks for your reply!

I guess everyone is happy with Sirius.

I just can't handle the number of liberal talk options.

I miss Rick and Bubba, Dr. Edell, Gary Sullivan, Rolleye...

Chuck

I have used XM for 8 years and just got a 2010 with Sirius ready. So I canceled my XM and subscribed to Sirius. I can't stand it... is there a way to convert the box in the back to XM?

Thanks,

Chuck

Western Pennsylvania

Michelin, Michelin, Michelin.... round, quiet, long lasting Michelin

Your picture also shows how well it fits the curve of the hatch.

Nice find.

Again, thanks!!

Chuck

Here is a picture...it was hard to get the sun at the correct angle to see it.

Focus was difficult because the sun was so bright...very unusual for Western Pennsylvania!

igcitng, I almost walked past my own car today noticing how nice the bumper protector looked.

Chuck

Just got it. (in fact within 24 hours of ordering it!!)

Installed it. Very easy.

I love the looks and the way it fits the curve of the back bumper.

The lip of the protector appears to be rounded where the Edge bumper has an angled lip.

No problem for me!

Thank you, igcitng, for your efforts in searching and then reporting back to us!

It fills my needs very well.

Ah, come on, please, please tell us!

Okay, non-Ford, hmmmm. Mazda ah, Toyota Highlander?

I give,

Chuck

Okay, here is the story.

After getting the "I don't care, buy the whole rack" story from the local Ford dealer here in Butler, PA; I went to visit my daughter and family in Dumfries, VA. The Ford dealer there, Cowles Parkway Ford, Woodbridge, VA, easily found the part number and ordered it on Monday. By noon on Tuesday, I had the part in my hand for $16.61 shipped from Memphis! (Part number 7T4Z-7855182-AA) I am impressed by their service and attitude.

Bottom line for the initial concern of this thread is that the deflection in the cover does not indicate a problem or weakening. I do think it suggests that the rails are overloaded.

Because I haul two kayaks and two bikes at the same time, I plan to mount a Thule setup that I used on an Explorer beside the current rails. I will post the results.

Yep, I took off the other covers... not easily, by the way.

(Which leads me to wonder if it was vandalism instead of the wind.)

Anyhow there is a prefix to those numbers of 7T43-78XXXXXX.

But you would have thought the dealer parts computer could still pull up something.

So, I will check with a larger Ford dealer.

I am still planning on putting the Thule Tracker feet on so I feel better carrying two kayaks and two bikes at once.

I have the Thule setup and used it on the Explorer, so no big expense.

Will share photos.

Chuck

Those part numbers...551A92-3, 551A92-4 got me blank stares from the local Ford dealer. His only option was to buy the whole rack! Black duct tape could work...

The Adventura from perrycraft.com is a cheaper, yet better, option.

Anyone with a suggestion?

Thanks,

Chuck

I will probably check tomorrow...

I would guess $30...I adjust better if I plan high... maybe $70!

I'll let you know.

Chuck

Okay, correction... it is the Thule Tracker System.

This uses a small stainless bar that you mount in a track (or on a flat surface) and then snap on the towers with the bars in a few seconds.

It is very fast to load and go... that's me "fast to load and go!!!"

Here is the website...http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=3&sku=43050

Chuck

Thanks, Mark.

My thought is to mount the Aerofoot bases in the roof groove where the current rack is mounted... leave the current, but add the Aerofoots just behind the front tower and ahead of the back tower. I know, I hurt from the effect on appearance!!

Then my question is where can I get those self drilling fine threaded screws? ...And what metal will I find there?

Anybody have ideas or cautions or am I crazy in the head?

Chuck

I'm thinking about mounting Thule Aerofoot towers beside my current rails.

The perrycraft.com product sounds like the factory rails.

Can anyone help me find a part number for that tower cover?

I know it could cost $$$!

Thanks,

Chuck

Here is the naked tower picture.

After reading the description of the perrycaft.com Adventura rack, the towers are made from molded glass filled nylon with aluminum rails. Is that any different from what we have now?

Chuck

I'll take a picture of the naked tower tomorrow.

Again, I do feel the rack strength hasn't changed...just my pretty Edge looks injured!

Chuck

The cover that flew off seems to snap onto a molded plastic base with gussets of plastic providing strength.

I doubt that the cover provides much strength, but after searching and finding this thread my concern is increasing.

I just checked out www.perrycraft.com and they look good, but are they better?

The missing cover just really annoys me.

Chuck

I have overstressed the stock rails as well.

Coming from a Ford Explorer to the Edge, it is difficult to give up the ability to haul bikes and even kayaks.

Yesterday the right front tower cover blew off the car!

So, now do I replace it with a real rack or somehow find a replacement part and forget hauling what I need?

Chuck

I just bought a Yakima RocketBox 15S. I love the system Yakima uses for attaching to the crossbars.

For crossbars I use Thule bars with CrossRoads to connect to the factory rails.

Fits well without touching the antenna or blocking my XM.

Only drawback with this box is that it will only hold things about 53(+-) inches long.

Yakima has other much longer and narrow boxes, as well.

I just bought a Yakima RocketBox 15S. I love the system Yakima uses for attaching to the crossbars.

For crossbars I use Thule bars with CrossRoads to connect to the factory rails.

Fits well without touching the antenna or blocking my XM.

Only drawback with this box is that it will only hold things about 53(+-) inches long.

Yakima has other much longer and narrow boxes, as well.

Okay, but how is it in the sand?

We are planning a beach trip and wondering should I notify AAA!

Thanks

My 2008 SEL also has a connector like yours in the back perfectly placed just to the driver's side of center. There was no power to that connector and I even tried adding fuses and modules to the fuse block under the hood...no go. I asked your same question under "....Hauling" and got no response. I went ahead and used a harness from eTrailer that connects into the rear lights...not hard to do!

Chuck

New here, too!

I have a 2008, and up behind the rear bumper is an unused plug with many wires but also with four main ones White, brown, green, yellow.

Using a test light gets nothing. The main fuse/relay panel under the hood has empty sockets for Parking, Right and Left lights according to the manual. Does plugging in three fuses and three relays get electric back to that plug? Or is that plug the passenger ejection seat(which I might be able to use!!)

Thanks,

Chuck

Western Pennsylvania