Ebay Roof rack

[~Rich~]

Hi Guys,
Has anyone bought one of these racks off ebay?
They look strong enough, the only point of question is the brackets that hold the rack to the roof being strong enough.

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290653917798'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

I am tossing up weather to purchase one of these or use my old Rhino roof basket fixed to the standard L/R cross bars.
I'll be putting some Jerry cans of deisel and a spare tyre carcase up there on a desert trip to the Simpson.

Thanks Rich.

[discotwinturbo]

Only thing would be to watch the weight if steel.

I have a friend who purchased one of these, and he seem very happy with it. He did received legs as part of the deal.

[101RRS]

Does any one with a RRS know if this rack will fit the shorter roof of a RRS.

I have not put my Rhino Tracks on yet and havn't bought cross bars so I am not sure what size rack I am looking at. Would love a G4 style rack but they are just too expensive.

Thanks

Garry

[~Rich~]

I bought one from Tigers11 :
Tigerz11 - DISCOVERY 4 RACK (http://tigerz11.com.au/products/DISCOVERY-4-ROOF-RACK.html)

$100 cheaper than the EBay one! They have a sale on at the moment. Alloy roof baskets too, Quite a few winches on sale too.
It's at my mechanic's so I'll pick it up Monday. $407 delivered.

[101RRS]

Thanks for that - there are some cheap aluminium racks there as well.

Rephrasing the question then - does anyone know if a 1.6m long roof rack will fit a RRS?

If not - what is the optimum length?

Thanks

Garry

[Learner]

<snip>

does anyone know if a 1.6m long roof rack will fit a RRS?

<snip>

Hi Garry,
After a brief look, I didn't see racks for RRS, so the best I can do is relate my experience with my D3.

I have a FR Windcheetah 2.2m rack. It has three legs a side on the upper part of the roof, using rails. There is a 4th leg each side in the front, lower part of the roof.

The Windcheetah 1.6m rack only uses the rear 3-a-side legs. I suspect that they are the same distance apart as the 2.2m rack.

I believe that the 1.6m rack will fit the RRS providing:
1. The distance between the rails is the same on D3 and RRS, and
2. You can accommodate the difference in the roof curve, front to back, between the two vehicles.

[101RRS]

Thanks for that.

Compared to the D3/4 the RRS is shorter, and doesn't have the step in the roof - should be the same width. The roof profile is curved with no step with the front and rear being lower than the centre. Not an issue when two cross bars are used but when three are used spacers are required on the front and rear bars to bring them up to the same height as the center bar.

Cheers

Garry

[Graeme]

I bought one from Tigers11
Hi Rich,

Does it need rails and do you know what it weighs?

[~Rich~]

Yes it requires you to have the roof rails already fitted. I have the factory rails so they fit fine. Have a look at the EBay pictures from the link in the first post for picture of the base, I'll take some pickies when I fit it.
If the Rhino tracks are a lower profile it may be a problem.

[Graeme]

Tigers11 have just confirmed that this rack bolts to the roof. I don't know if its undesireable to take the load at 1 point compared with spreading it along a rail.

[~Rich~]

Yes the legs do bolt to the roof, but you have to have the tracks.
The legs have a steel open box inside the polyurethane shape.
They are shaped to go around the factory roof rails with a bolt and plate sliding into the track before the leg is fitted.

[Graeme]

Thanks Rich. So the load is indeed spread onto the tracks at least to some degree.

[~Rich~]

Here are some pictures of the legs, excuse the quality - done at night.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/03/266.jpg
Steel welded box inside the moulded polyurethane.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/03/267.jpg
Shape of leg for L/R roof rails.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/03/268.jpg
On the track!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/03/269.jpg
Rack adjustment slots.

The mesh is only a lighter mesh but it helps keep the weight lower.
There are some sharp edges on some of the welds especially where the mesh attaches to the outside frame. I'll be getting a file out and making smooth. As with anything you get what you pay for! I won't be leaving it on the D3 all year round, only when I need it so it's perfect for that.

[101RRS]

Rich - I have also ordered this for my RRS.

Can you confirm that as delivered yours bolts down to the tracks on the roof (OEM or Rhino) and not to OEM or aftermarket cross rails?

The pics on the Tigers website do not show any legs so I just assumed that it bolted to the cross rails. I have Rhino Tracks (yet to be fitted so I might be able to secure the rack to them and not worry about buying Rhino Cross bars.

Thanks

Garry

[~Rich~]

Hi Garry,
As I mentioned to Graeme, have a look at the pictures in the eBay link in the first post.
Yes you only need tracks. If the Rhino tracks are a lower profile you may need to trim the length on the "wrap around" of the legs.
The max width centers of the tracks is 1140mm approx,

[101RRS]

Hi Garry,
As I mentioned to Graeme, have a look at the pictures in the eBay link in the first post.


Ok - penny tumbles - the light comes on - though sold by different peoples the racks are the same.

Thanks

Garry

[~Rich~]

Bingo, sorry Gary I didn't actually make that point anywhere!

BTW are you fitting your own Faraday Cage to the RRS after that previous issue you had. :wasntme:

[101RRS]

BTW are you fitting your own Faraday Cage to the RRS after that previous issue you had. :wasntme:


ppfftt

[Graeme]

So the bolts don't go into the roof bolt holes, but bolt to the rails which bolt to the roof using the factory-fitted nuts? This is different to bolting "to the roof" unless it is assumed that all D3s/D4s have roof rails.

[101RRS]

My Tigerez roof rack arrived today - in a box marked "fragile".

I think the rack is worth the shipped price of $407 but certainly not worth their normal price. Quality is pretty average - looks strong enough but joins in the tube are really obvious and are at the sides in the middle where most stresses are likely to develop.

The mounts do not fit Rhino tracks which must have a lower profile than the OEM tracks. I was expecting this to be the case and will simply bolt the rack to the cross bars or directly to the Rhino feet (haven't checked this as yet.

Overall the sale price is reasonable for this rack but I would not pay more.

Oh - it fits on my camper van pretty well.

Cheers

Garry

[~Rich~]

Hi Colin,
I agree re the quality of the welds but as most things you get what you pay for.
I don't think that the welds along the sides will be an issue they just look pretty average!
I did mention re the legs being made to suit the standard roof rails as I had heard the Rhino ones where lower, if the steel does not go too far down the sides I'm sure the polyurethane could be trimmed down in height. I'll be looking at doing this to keep a bit more clearance off the actual roof.
I'll let you know how it stood up to a tough desert trip in July.
I have not fitted the complete rack as yet as I am busy fitting the rear wheel carrier and long range tank.
+ my D3 won't fit in my garage with the rack on!

[101RRS]

When buying this rack it was always with the intention of using Rhino cross bars.

However looking at the feet mounted to the bar they could be mounted to the much lower profile Rhino tracks if a suitable mounting block was inserted - this would need to be either rubber (like engine mount material) or a plastic material like used in suspensions or boat rollers. These would need to be about 1" thick, maybe 2" wide and a few inches long.

Does anyone know where suitable billet material, rubber or plastic may be purchased - black would be good.

Cheers

Garry

[101RRS]

I have been looking at mounting options for the Tigerez 1.6m on my RRS. The Rhino tracks I have are a flat profile - much lower than the OEM and as such I will have to cut down the Tigerez mounts or make up a mount. Not totally satisfactory.

Now the rack will actually mount directly onto the Rhino feet so that is one option - also with the cross rails on the feet the rack could be bolted with Rhino U bolts to the cross rails.

So what are people's experiences with mounting the rack direct to aftermarket feet or direct to cross rails.

Also I have not yet decided whether to keep the rack on the car all the time. Any one with one of these racks car to comment on noise, humming, increase in fuel consumption etc.

Thanks

Garry

[~Rich~]

Hi Garry,
Before I bought this rack ( which I will be fitting in a couple of weeks, prior to my trip) I used a Rhino Rack basket attached with the U bolts you described.
I was told that the U bolts are the weak point and suffer from metal fatigue and break if subjected to the combination of heavy weights in the basket and rough terrain.

Having the OEM rails and racks to fit the basket to also did not inspire confidence of the strength so this is why I bought this rack.

I'd say the combo of the Bars and the Tigerez would be strong enough if you can source some stonger U bolts. You may in fact get more wind noise however with this combination.

I'll let you know how my wind noise is once I have the rack fitted.

[101RRS]

Thanks for that - I was hoping you would have had yours fitted by now. I agree the U bolts do look a bit light on and that was one of the reasons I was querying how they go. I don't have my tracks on yet that is why I cannot test things myself and hoping to get information from others.

Garry

[~Rich~]

Fitted now Colin, I actually gave my garage door a lift so with the D3 at Access height and LLAMS at lowest it now clears by 10mm. ;)

I did however change all the bolts that came with the rack to high tensile for extra strength.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/922.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/923.jpg

Leg detail - I actually trimmed off 2mm with an electric planer, the metal is actually up about 5mm within the polyurethane.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/924.jpg

Shovel holders fitted
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/806.jpg

Sunroof opens under the front of rack.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/805.jpg

[Graeme]

Fitted now Gary, I actually gave my garage door a lift so with the D3 at Access height and LLAMS at lowest it now clears by 10mm. ;)

I did however change all the bolts that came with the rack to high tensile for extra strength.
HT bolts to ensure the rack stays in place if your door height calcs aren't quite right?:D

[~Rich~]

HT bolts to ensure the rack stays in place if your door height calcs aren't quite right?:D

This is the second lift kit that has been fitted to the garage door!
Can't go any higher without moving steel beams and removing brickwork, might pass on that!

[101RRS]

Does the rack hum when driving along?

[~Rich~]

I'll let you know once I take it for more than just a local run!
Crap weather in Sydney today & tomorrow.

[Graeme]

Are they LR rails? They look as though they would spread the load along the roof rather well.

[~Rich~]

Hi Graeme,
Yes they are the factory rails, they actually have a box section under the open topped section so this would give a more even weight distribution.

[Disco4pilot]

Now the rack will actually mount directly onto the Rhino feet so that is one option - also with the cross rails on the feet the rack could be bolted with Rhino U bolts to the cross rails.

So what are people's experiences with mounting the rack direct to aftermarket feet or direct to cross rails.

Also I have not yet decided whether to keep the rack on the car all the time. Any one with one of these racks car to comment on noise, humming, increase in fuel consumption etc.

Thanks

Garry

Hi Garry, I had a full length steel roof basket on my old Nissan patrol that I cut the legs off and u bolted to cross bars. I found this worked very well. I liked the way I could leave the roof racks on all the time and just put the basket on for trips. I found that it was easy to put the roof basket on when the cross bars were already in place without damaging the roof. It was easy for two people to lift it on and slide along the cross bars into position. I had this set up when I went to Cape York and across the Simpson and had no problems at all with the strength of the ubolts. I had quite a bit of weight on both trips and the patrol deffinetly didnt handle corregations as well as the Disco does! If you are worried about the u bolts you could always just put an extra couple on. I also think that having an easily replaceable "weak point" isn't such a bad idea. Provided you keep spares and check occasionally it beats having to find a welder in the middle of the bush.

I can't help you on wind noise as the patrol was bloody noisy anyway! I don't really notice anything when I've got the racks on my Disco but then I do like loud music...
Cheers
Pete

[~Rich~]

Well I've had the rack on for a couple of weeks now and the verdict on the noise is that yes it becomes audible from approx 87 kph. Slightly rising in levels as the speed rises, I would not describe it as a hum though more like just a wind noise. Is it annoying - no, if you don't want to hear it just turn up the stereo a bit louder.
The mounting seems very strong but I'll confirm this in August when I return.

[~Rich~]

Update on this rack.
Well it stood up perfectly to an absolute torture of six day cross country driving over vegitation moguls. With 60ltrs diesel and a spare tyre, gas bottle, awning, shovel & rake lashed firmly to it including my weight climbing all over it I had zero problems with it.
Note: it was fitted to the standard LR roof rails.

[~Rich~]

This rack is on sale until Monday 3rd Sept:

Cheap!

http://tigerz11.com.au/categories/Steel-Roof-Racks-/

[101RRS]

This rack is on sale until Monday 3rd Sept:
http://www.tigerz11.com.au/product-category/roof-racks.html?p=2

Cheap!

Link not found - goes to the Tigerez site but says link no good or site has moved.

[~Rich~]

Seems strange, I had an email from them and the link worked fine.
I editted the above post but it does not show the discounted price of $263!
If interested give them a call in Melb on 03 9738 7318, Sydney 1300 723 011 or Brisbane 07 3889 1383

[101RRS]

I just tried the link and it now works :confused: - strange

[rufusking]

Interesting it comes up at $329 and DISCONTINUED PRODUCT 10 left

Saw them at the recent 4x4 Camping, Boating, Fishing show at teh Melb Showgrounds. The D4 one wasn't hanging on the wall but same design for the Japanese 4x4s were there. Quality looked fine and feedback in this thread supports that. Might be the last of the current shipment out of China?
Tigerz11 - DISCOVERY 4 RACK (http://tigerz11.com.au/products/DISCOVERY-4-ROOF-RACK.html)