Full Length Roof Racks For D4

[Celtoid]

Hi all,

Has anybody done a comparison of the market for 'cage type' racks (with side and front walls) for a D4? I tried a search on this forum but fell asleep after the first few pages....:eek:

I've seen and like the style of the LR Expedition Rack and also the Rhino equivilant. They both look good and appear to fit straight onto the tracks/rails on the D4's roof....in other works they don't need stand offs and cross bars.....just standoffs (whatever they are called :)). I like the fact that the Rhino has lots of stuff, as in add-ons that are purpose built....gas bottle holders, spare wheel brackets, etc.

The Rhino appears to have a higher load rating (acording to their glossy magazine)...as in the numbers quoted but that could depend on a lot of things so unsure if it is genuine.

The LR one looks more robust.

A consideration for me would also be ease of removal...as my office carpark is a wee bit low.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Kev.

[njz]

These guys do nice racks:
Tradesman Roof Racks - Land Rover (http://www.tradesmanroofracks.com.au/page11.php)

[AGRO]

A Long Rhino Platform Rack with 6 legs fits on the LR Factory tracks.

Low profile incorporating the HD crossbars

Check out the Rhino Website

[j_nake]

The LR Expedition rack looks the part, that's for sure. It doesn't make much wind noise either. The slats (or cross bars) on the floor of it are a bit far apart IMO. Cant tell you anything about the other type, sorry.

[PCH]

I had a Tradesman Oval for my D3 which was designed to take a rooftop tent.

Also I remember another brand called Frontrunner.

I think the D3/D4 roof mount point are most likely the same but happy to be corrected.

[RoverLander]

I have a full length rack fitted by Opposote Lock. On the label it has Windcheetah but also Frontrunner. Its low profile andyou can get it as a full length or shorter lenghts. There are also lots of accessories for it. Its alloy and therefore light but it is well built.

Have a look on the (not so usefull) Opposite Lock web site.

[oldsalt]

Check out here ... Dolium Pty Ltd (http://www.dolium.com.au/view/pg?command=cman_view_webpage&webpage_id=1&pkey=dolium)
... I have the full length Alloy Wind Cheetah rack and it's very good - lots of fitting accessories.
cheers

[brad72]

I've just about finished making my own. I wanting something low profile, light, and with endless mounting options. See the post here http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/125155-roof-rack-build.html

[gedaso]

Nice work Brad72. Keen to see more photos as your build progresses.

[juddy]

Check out Hannibal Safari Equipment Racks.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/480.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/481.jpg

[NavyDiver]

Hi all,

A consideration for me would also be ease of removal...as my office carpark is a wee bit low.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Kev.

windcheater (http://www.oppositelock.com.au/index.php?action=prodcatalogue&form_name=view_product&category_id=50&product_id=427&pageID=10062&sectionID=0) have this one on my D3 from oppersitelock- it says it is for a D4 as well. it is very low and is under the 2.2 metres hight clearance on most shoping centre car parks. NOTE TO WIFE- this is assuming my spare wheel is not on top of of it honey :o especaily when driving to to our garage at 2.1m!!!!!:wasntme:.
I put a snake racing led (http://store.snakeracing.com.au/%7Esnakerac/product_info.php?cPath=466_467&products_id=3871&osCsid=48dafd51021d85088ee7031d68b29139) on the front of it. Removing it is easy, puting it back on takes about 30 miuntes mostly as the low profile gives my little hands a hard time holding the nut. Noise wise it is just noticable at about 100km but that might be my light.

[Celtoid]

Thanks guys,

I'm making a few inquiries in the Brisbane area with regards to sizes and options....and of course price.

I think I'm leaning towards the style with a front deflector and walls. I know that there are loading pros and cons.

Forgot to ask...have any of you had issues with GPS reception when you stick the rack on a D4 roof?

Cheers,

Kev.

[minibloodhound]

I have just had the longer wincheater rack installed a couple of days ago, and now all it wants to do is vibr,ate the whole car when it gets to 90km/h. Anybody have any ideas as to why before having to travel 100 kays back to Opposite Lock for them to have a look at it? Other than that it looks great and doesn't affect the GPS at all.

[brad72]

Minibloodhound, I'm pretty sure you need to get the rack back as far as posible and make sure the wind diflectors are fitted correctly. Ideally you should have 2 fitted.

Check out this site for some more info Roofrack vibration - SA 4x4 Community Forum (http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php't=58762)

Brad

[juddy]

The Windcheater racks, create more noise than the Hannibal Rack, as the bars run east to west, so a plate is fitted to try and keep the noise down, also the Rack Bed, is made of C section, Hannibal use a Box section that is stronger.

[RoverLander]

I now also have the vibration problem with the windcheetah. I didnt have a problem for the first 12 months but now when driving at 100ks and in still air i get a massive high pitch vibration that feels like it will end up doing damage to the roof. I have a single front deflector fitted.

I will try a second deflector half way along the rack and then an alluminum bar rubber mounted along the length of the bar. Ashame that we have to try to solve this type of problem for such an expensive r.rack.

[NavyDiver]

I have just had the longer wincheater rack installed a couple of days ago, and now all it wants to do is vibr,ate the whole car when it gets to 90km/h. Anybody have any ideas as to why before having to travel 100 kays back to Opposite Lock for them to have a look at it? Other than that it looks great and doesn't affect the GPS at all.

yikes- mine is full lenght and makes only a little wind noise at 100. Vibration sound like the fittings are loose? Have you tried tightening all the lock nuts? They feel tight even when they have a fair way to go to tight! There is five nuts to check on each bracket. A socket 10mm I think is the best or a open ended spanner. The low hight makes it a bit tricky to check. you can remove the single centre nut/bolt and lift the whole rack off to tighten all the others. Either a two people or better still tie the rack to the roof with some tackle to lift it (and lower it) after you remove the bolts. I takes me about 30 minutes to get mine on, about ten to get it off by myself when rigged to the roof of the garage.

[brad72]

For those interested here is a video of fitting the front runner / windcheetah racks to a D4. Front Runner Roof Rack Land Rover LR3 LR4 installation vide.mov - YouTube

[Celtoid]

For those interested here is a video of fitting the front runner / windcheetah racks to a D4. Front Runner Roof Rack Land Rover LR3 LR4 installation vide.mov - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha86Htemm3I)


Thanks mate.

Great vid.

Oh btw......that's a D3.... ;)

Not that it matters for this exercise, I believe. :)

Cheers,

Kev.

[Celtoid]

Hi All,

Thanks very much for everybody's input. It gave me heaps to work with. Thanks very much PCH for the info on the Tradesman Oval roof rack, as that is the beast I've decided to go with.

All the racks had pros and cons and features that I really liked. I ordered the Oval 'cause it runs full length, has a front wind deflector & wall, side and back walls too, which I feel will just have that extra level of security when packing stuff.

The downside is the fact that the rack is not set up for add-on accesories but as I only intend to throw stuff on the roof for camping, the combined grid and cross bars, will give me plenty of anchoring options.

The main plus other than the side walls and full length, is the ease of removal and fitment (after initial set up). It has eight legs and eight anchor points which bolt straight on to the D4's factory tracks. I have no intention of driving around with the racks on all the time, so the though of ony 15 minutes or so, to fit or disconnect is really appealing.

I've been told that it's really solid/stable and can take 150kgs....not that I'd ever put that much up there.

I'm getting them fitted next week by Roof Racks Galore in Kedron, Brisbane. So hopefully it will go well. They are charging me a huge $60 to fit the racks, so I'm going to let them do the initial mucking around.

Thanks again.

Cheers,

Kev.

[Redback]

The Windcheater racks, create more noise than the Hannibal Rack, as the bars run east to west, so a plate is fitted to try and keep the noise down, also the Rack Bed, is made of C section, Hannibal use a Box section that is stronger.

Only if your driving North/South:p

Baz.

[juddy]

Only if your driving North/South:p

Baz.

Indeed...

[Redback]

Indeed...

Jolly good, What:spudnikhattip: