Thread: Roof Rack Advice

Just a caution, that I hope will help with your decision

Be aware that the ONLY thing holding your roof on, is a few self tapper screws at the windscreen and some thin alloy panels at the rear. Also that even without a roof rack your roof will be prone to pulling out spot welds at the front and separating from the windscreen frame. So Any load you regularly carry in a roof rack including the roof rack itself on a Defender is going to break your roof at some stage.

I actually saw a spectacular issue with a 2009 PUMA, where the rack had been overloaded and after a rough trip they found the entire rear body had been pushed down on to the chassis, had mangled the rear panels.

After having experienced a roof separation and the associated repair after warranty on a Defender it's not a cheap fix.... A non dealer fitted roof rack will guarantee that Land Rover will void warranty on the roof and insist on an expensive roof repair, should you be so unlucky to have a roof issue.

Another vote for patriot here.

Their bolted connections make the rack much more 'flexible' and far less likely to cause roof problems.

Having sold hundreds of them in the UK I can also vouch or their second to none customer service.

Have a word with Juddy on here for details as he imports them.

R
J

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Another happy Patriot user here. Gave mine a hammering in the desert this year and it spent a solid 10 days loaded with the Defender articulating all day. Interestingly the rack was flexing a lot, it would squash your fingers if you put them between the leg and side of the roof.

Saying that though the group had various racks on our trip including Hannibal, ARB and Rhino and none had any problems. So just get a good one I guess.


I had about 350L of fuel and water on board here but managed to keep it all off the roof. Patriot also made my legs a bit higher to clear the tropical roof. Their standard height sits much closer.

Here's a photo with the range of racks which survived that trip.



image-2364844927.jpg

Originally Posted by weeds

i have an awning on my front runner and the mounting system is very solid.....pretty sure you would be able to mount a hannibal with ease...may need to adapt the bracket

to the OP i am happy with my front runner and believe i got good value for money.....the cross bars to flex when you walk on them........i would go with a straight flat one as i dont see the benefit witht he cage as you have to tie everything down anyway

I was told by a salesman for the awning that my frontrunner would have to be braced. Good to know thanks.

Originally Posted by inside

Another happy Patriot user here. Gave mine a hammering in the desert this year and it spent a solid 10 days loaded with the Defender articulating all day. Interestingly the rack was flexing a lot, it would squash your fingers if you put them between the leg and side of the roof.

Saying that though the group had various racks on our trip including Hannibal, ARB and Rhino and none had any problems. So just get a good one I guess.


I had about 350L of fuel and water on board here but managed to keep it all off the roof. Patriot also made my legs a bit higher to clear the tropical roof. Their standard height sits much closer.

Love the colour coding! Very nice looking rig you've got there.

Cheers,

Lou

For those that use a Rooftop tent of whatever brand/style, How does this work with the roof load limits others have stated at anywhere between 85-150kg? I always thought my TD5 was rated to 45kg. That seems far too low now but I have nothing on my roof anyway

2 people alone would approach or even beat that, not including the rack, tent, tyres and whatever else goes up there.

As Bilbo has said, there isn't much holding the roof on the pillars..

Originally Posted by Fraz

For those that use a Rooftop tent of whatever brand/style, How does this work with the roof load limits others have stated at anywhere between 85-150kg? I always thought my TD5 was rated to 45kg. That seems far too low now but I have nothing on my roof anyway

2 people alone would approach or even beat that, not including the rack, tent, tyres and whatever else goes up there.

As Bilbo has said, there isn't much holding the roof on the pillars..

I just checked the manual on TopiX and its definitely 150kg for my 2009 Puma.