Thread: Defender 110 gutter flex

Could you attach / introduce a couple more bars to the setup? If they could attach to the roof box arrangement and the gutter that would dramatically reduce the point loads in the gutter?

The problem of course is that these systems are not design for heavily corrugated roads, much less a Defender with a roof that flexes as much as they do!

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I remember quite a restriction on the roofrack load for the Defender.
Just found a manual on-line and it's 150kg for a 2000 model but it states "driving off-road with a loaded roofrack is not recommended" !!

My roofrack where it sits in the gutter has a strip that runs full length to spread the load.
I can upload a picture later if it helps.


Colin

park your defender across a spoon drain so that the axles are fully articulated / crossed up, then try to open and close a door, it wont open close properly, the body is all twisted up. In notmal 4wding the body is flexing all the time (not to that extent but it all adds up) IMO Thats a great reason not to use a roof rack, unless its properley designed to flex. (are any??) The first thing you will notice is the front of the roof above the windscreen will curl up slightly away from the glass on each side, A rivet on the inside pulls out and the seal goes, then eventually you get wet feet when it rains.

I prefer to pull a trailer than load up the roof, you also end up with a whole heap of other issues resulting from raised COG.

Originally Posted by goingbush

park your defender across a spoon drain so that the axles are fully articulated / crossed up, then try to open and close a door, it wont open close properly, the body is all twisted up. In notmal 4wding the body is flexing all the time (not to that extent but it all adds up) IMO Thats a great reason not to use a roof rack, unless its properley designed to flex. (are any??) The first thing you will notice is the front of the roof above the windscreen will curl up slightly away from the glass on each side, A rivet on the inside pulls out and the seal goes, then eventually you get wet feet when it rains.

I prefer to pull a trailer than load up the roof, you also end up with a whole heap of other issues resulting from raised COG.

I agree with you.. they flex a lot in normal use. I don't doubt this is a factor in the problem. On the positive side - I've got two individual roof rails connected by a flimsy roof pod so the whole thing can continue to move.

It's only a problem on dirt roads and off road when the body is working a lot.

Unfortunately, backing down a sand dune with a trailer in the middle of the Simpson isn't really an option and I just can't fit enough gear in the back of the car as we loose the back seats as I've got two kids. So, I'm going to have to sort this problem somehow.

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

Could you attach / introduce a couple more bars to the setup? If they could attach to the roof box arrangement and the gutter that would dramatically reduce the point loads in the gutter?

The problem of course is that these systems are not design for heavily corrugated roads, much less a Defender with a roof that flexes as much as they do!

Sent using Forum Runner

Unfortunately no, as the pod only has two attachment points, so it's two bars only. Even if I hacked another mount it would be three in the middle third of the pod, as it's rounded outside of the designated attachment points.

Originally Posted by gromit

I remember quite a restriction on the roofrack load for the Defender.
Just found a manual on-line and it's 150kg for a 2000 model but it states "driving off-road with a loaded roofrack is not recommended" !!

My roofrack where it sits in the gutter has a strip that runs full length to spread the load.
I can upload a picture later if it helps.


Colin

Where did you get the strip from? I'm thinking a small light piece of stainless or the likes might do the trick.

Are the likes of Rhino and thurle actually tested in the outback.

I have had over 5 years use out of my Hannibal rack and not one problem, with both the rack or vehicle. Both the Hannibal and Patriot racks we sell have metal strips between all the leg sets for extra support.

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

Where did you get the strip from? I'm thinking a small light piece of stainless or the likes might do the trick.

The strip is an integral part of the rack.


Colin