2023 Ford Everest build: New project gets Yakima LockNLoad platform and accessories

The Everest Ambiente is the base model in Ford’s 4x4 wagon lineup, so it really gives us a blank canvas to build it into a capable and comfortable touring 4x4 wagon.

Because it’s a wagon, the Everest has less capacity to carry large objects and gear than our previous Ranger ute builds, so a versatile and quality roof rack is a welcome addition. We’ve opted to fit the Yakima LockNLoad platform to the Everest, mounted on Yakima’s RuggedLine longitudinal mounting system.

With 16 different size platforms in the LockNLoad range, finding the perfect one for the Everest was not a problem, and the RuggedLine mounts not only look the part but provide a stable mounting system for the platform as they run the length of the rack.

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Mounting the racks can often be a DIY affair, but as our Everest is an Ambiente model with flush-mounted factory roof rails, as opposed to the raised rails on the higher-spec models, the roof lining needs to come out to replace the factory rails with the RuggedLine ones. Bearing this in mind, we sent the Everest to the guys at Roof Rack Superstore in Moorabbin for the fit up.

The team at the Superstore did a great job with everything fitting as it should, taking into account clearance for the rear door of the Everest, and where everything will sit on the rack. They mounted the Ace of Spades shovel holder on the back of the recovery track holder where it is still easy to access on the offside of the vehicle, and the awning on the nearside.

We strapped a set of Maxtrax to the mounts using the supplied straps but found this set up a bit awkward, as there is nothing supporting the weight of the tracks while doing up the straps. We’ll adjust this setup by fitting a set of Maxtrax retaining pins to the Yakima mounts, as this will allow for quick and easy mounting and removal, with the ability to lock the Maxtrax to the pins.

The Yakima Major Shady 270° awning provides a massive 7.4m2 of shade around the side and back of the Everest. The shade material is a 420D polycotton fabric with PU coating to help keep the sun out, and it’s lightweight and waterproof. The awning’s three arms easily deploy out and around the Everest to provide quick and efficient cover from wind and rain, while there are three drop-down telescoping legs to prop it up and tie it down for use in heavier rain and windy conditions.

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The Major Shady awning folds back into its case and easily zips up, which can be a problem with some awnings. At 21.1kg it’s relatively light compared to some other 270° awnings, but the lighter weight construction means you really need to deploy the legs and tie it down in windy conditions. A small price to pay for a lightweight product that gives you quick cover.

The LockNload platform has its slats running across the width of the vehicle with slots in the slats as well and the perimeter which makes fitting accessories and loads easy and configurable. We’ll play around with the location of the accessories fitted so far so that they best suit our needs, and we plan to fit a lightbar to the front of the rack as the vehicle build progresses.

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The LockNLoad Platform feels solid, helped no doubt by the longitudinal RuggedLine mounts. These were designed and developed in Australia by Yakima’s local team to suit our harsh conditions. Made from powdercoated stainless steel, they form a spine to support the full weight of any cargo secured to the platform. They also provide a neat place to mount side-facing camplights and somewhere to hook the end of the awning to when it’s fully extended.

It’s early days for our Ford Everest but with Yakima’s platform system and awning installed, we’ll have plenty of options for load carrying and shelter when we are set up at camp.

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