Roof Rack advice

[AnD3rew]

Ok, I want a durable rack which has options like a wheel carrier, and which can have an awning, pref batwing type mounted on it. Also want it to sit as low on the roof as possible. Just want the partial length rear rack.

What do yo guys recommend, any pitfalls?

Pictures wold be awesome if you have them handy.

[~Rich~]

Do you have any tracks/ roof rails fitted already to the roof?
Factory or other?

If you have the factory roof rails then this is the one I bought:

Bare rack:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/805.jpg
Shovel holder:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/806.jpg
Awning bolted to uprights:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/807.jpg
Fully loaded:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/319.jpg

More info in this topic:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/146151-ebay-roof-rack.html

[NavyDiver]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/[img]https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/772.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/12/995.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/772.jpg

Opersite lock http://www.oppositelock.com.au/index.php?action=prodcatalogue&form_name=view_product&category_id=50&product_id=425&pageID=10062§ionID=0 (http://www.oppositelock.com.au/index.php?action=prodcatalogue&form_name=view_product&category_id=50&product_id=425&pageID=10062&sectionID=0)

Not a fan of the sides rails myself. I feel the leverage works against securing to the side rails on some brands.

This one covers my roof from front to back and could have a roof top tent, spare wheels and more depending mostly on the weight. I am sure a batwing would fit on it. There is a 1.4 metre version like Rich's nifty set up. I had to use the tracks http://www.oppositelock.com.au/index.php?action=prodcatalogue&form_name=view_product&category_id=50&product_id=477&pageID=10062§ionID=0 (http://www.oppositelock.com.au/index.php?action=prodcatalogue&form_name=view_product&category_id=50&product_id=477&pageID=10062&sectionID=0)

I like that mine is secured a bit more than Rich's with 4 fixing points to each side. I am not sure how many the short one would have. With weight on top and the stress a long dirt road might put on these points I feel this is an advantage. I use the side to secure a tarp, toss a few tent pegs in for a short stay or poles and ropes on the off side rather than a awning. not sure if these might fit a Disco http://tigerz11.com.au/products/-TENT-RACK.html (might ask for a comission from them :)
Saw a awning for a resonable price at http://tigerz11.com.au/categories/Awnings/
(http://tigerz11.com.au/categories/Awnings/)

[herrBlick]

I really like the landrover expedition roof rack. It seems just to fit.
I don't know how it goes in multi story car parks though?52185

[simoncs]

Hi Andrew,

I have just been through the same process. I wanted a rack like Stornaway's expedition rack which he cut the sides off to make it low profile.
after trawling the net, and speaking to all the rack makers here, the US, and UK, I am now having one made. I have factory full length rails, so wanted to keep these. The rack will be alloy, full length 2020mm, enough crossbars and covered in mesh to allow easy loading. Will have plenty of tie down points built in, and later if I want to add an awning, I can drill into the side.
Most importantly it will sit on pads on the rails to make it low profile, and look integrated like the LR expedition rack.

Should be ready in a couple of weeks

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[DiscoDavey]

deleted

[~Rich~]

Oops

[~Rich~]

Whats with the body in the bag!!!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/772.jpg (http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg554/JBpracman/DSC00827.jpg)

:wasntme::nazilock: Photo taken in the Belangalo State Forest?

[NavyDiver]

Whats with the body in the bag!!!



:wasntme::nazilock: Photo taken in the Belangalo State Forest?

:angel: check out "on target"- for two down one too far down:angel: 200kg + of prime venision.:angel: Not related to Ivan at all.

[PhilipA]

Seeing the poster asked the direct question, I know of a rack which I think is one of the best around.

Now I have to declare that I have just started working for the importer. A full range of acessories is also available

Baja Rack Australia - Roof Racks and baskets for 4WD Adventures - off road roof racks (http://www.bajarack.com.au/bajarack/index.html)

They only fit with short LR roofrails.

Regards Philip A

[AnD3rew]

Seeing the poster asked the direct question, I know of a rack which I think is one of the best around.

Now I have to declare that I have just started working for the importer. A full range of acessories is also available

Baja Rack Australia - Roof Racks and baskets for 4WD Adventures - off road roof racks (http://www.bajarack.com.au/bajarack/index.html)

They only fit with short LR roofrails.

Regards Philip A

They look good, but I really want a flat platform because it is hard enough to find a city carpark you can fit a D3 in even without a rack.

[Celtoid]

They look good, but I really want a flat platform because it is hard enough to find a city carpark you can fit a D3 in even without a rack.

Do you see youself needing them fitted all the time?

I was in the same boat with Oval Alloy fitted to my D4...couldn't get into my office car park.

But I don't need or want them fitted all the time, so I rigged up a set of eye-bolts and ratchets in my garage ceiling. Very quick to fit and remove.

Cheers,

Kev.

[~Rich~]

Do you see youself needing them fitted all the time?

I was in the same boat with Oval Alloy fitted to my D4...couldn't get into my office car park.

But I don't need or want them fitted all the time, so I rigged up a set of eye-bolts and ratchets in my garage ceiling. Very quick to fit and remove.

Cheers,

Kev.

Exactly Kev, fuel consumption goes up, wind noise, car park clearance.
Mine too is hoisted off the car and stored up high above my car only to be fitted when required.

[PhilipA]

They look good, but I really want a flat platform because it is hard enough to
find a city carpark you can fit a D3 in even without a rack.

I am checking whether they are in development , and will let you know. We do flat racks for most recent 4WD.

Regards Philip A

[NavyDiver]

Exactly Kev, fuel consumption goes up, wind noise, car park clearance.
Mine too is hoisted off the car and stored up high above my car only to be fitted when required.

x3
it is fairly quick to remove and refit if you have roof space in the garage:D

[AnD3rew]

Unfortunately I don't have a garage and limited storage space.

[john_paul_128]

Andrew, I have a Tracklander rack on my D4, also fits D3. Check them out at 4wd & Car Roof Racks Perth & Brisbane - Tracklander - Red Dirt - Maxirack (http://www.jaram.com.au)
Very well made, large list of accessories.
Also easy to take on and off if required.

Rgds, John

[drowell]

I looked around and bought a Front Runner as it had the lowest profile. About 2050mm at normal height.

[AnD3rew]

Thanks for all of your suggestions and pictures. In the end I got a good deal at the 4wd show on a Rhino platform with no bars and short legs with a foxwing awning, spare wheel carrier and shovel holder brackets.

Getting fitted next week.

[ozscott]

Nice mate - the Rhino is good gear.

Cheers

[Nate]

I put rhino racks on my D3 with the oval shaped bars for the versatility of changing between roofbox, platform and fishing rod carriers. They do a good job however I can't stand the wind noise they create! I take them off when I'm not using them, which is 99% of the time. They just live in the boot now. How do others find the noise with rhino racks? I have Thules on the wifes forrester and I had rola racks on an old golf in the past. Essentially these racks make no wind noise at all. I was wondering whether its an issue with Rhino racks and whether the Thules are a better option or is it just that the D3 is a much bigger vehicle and wind noise with racks is unavoidable.

[101RRS]

They do a good job however I can't stand the wind noise they create! I take them off when I'm not using them, which is 99% of the time. They just live in the boot now. How do others find the noise with rhino racks?

I have Rhino tracks and feet but with Thule Aero cross bars (I already had them).

They do make quite a lot of wind and like you do not leave them on. A Roof Rack place suggested moving the front bar back a little - my front one was right at the front and the guy said that is probably where the air flow over the car is still down low and moving them back a bit might place them where the air flow has de-laminated from the car and is slower.

I haven't tried it yet though.

Garry

[rufusking]

I have the Rhino bars and legs on factory long tracks. I get a little wind noise around 70-80kph but it isn't always there.
They can be totally quiet but go around a corner and the wind whistle will appear and likewise will also stop.
The vehicle has the alpine roof so when I first fitted them I played around with the front bars position to reduce the wind entering the vehicle and noise. I found a position where the bar is just rear of the centre of the main window of the second row seats (conventional back seats). This position is also about as far back as they will move without having to change the leg position on the bar as the distance between the roof tracks taper slightly.

[AnD3rew]

Stupidly expensive, but I have also just orders online the Rhino gas bottle strap, and a half size rhino rack bag.

I am hoping I will be able to have a 2nd spare in one corner, a 4kg gas bottle behind it and then tent sleeping bags and other assorted stuff in the bag.

Can't wait to see how it all comes together.

[phl]

What's the height of the D4 at normal height, with long tracks fitted, but no rack in place? Am wondering if it will hit parking station height limit.

[SBD4]

What's the height of the D4 at normal height, with long tracks fitted, but no rack in place? Am wondering if it will hit parking station height limit.

On the website they say with the vehicle at access height with roof rails it is 1,841mm.

[AnD3rew]

When I get my rack on, I am planning to do my own measurements and then write it on the sun visor where the original measurements are so I don't accidentally remove it in parking stations.

[phl]

On the website they say with the vehicle at access height with roof rails it is 1,841mm.

That's the problem; they only quote access height, which is lower than normal. Any idea how much lower? Most shopping centres around my area tend to be at 1.95m.

[CSBrisie]

Guys, has anyone got the full length pioneer platform rack? I hear you can add small Rhino tracks at the front of the car (using the existing bolt holes designed for the Expo Rack mounting) and thereby benefit from the 2m long pioneer platform rack (so you can have a rooftop tent and a spare wheel up there).

cheers

[discotwinturbo]

I have the full length....but it is not full length. I have a roof topper and room for a spare and jerry cans. The spare does hang over the front though (I have the front end barriers mounted on the platform). Roof topper hangs over the rear of the platform (about 50cm from memory), with enough clearance for the rear door to open up. Roof topper opens to the side and bolted on to the platform (semi permanent, as will be too hard to remove by the way I secured it). Roof topper is winched to the garage roof when not required. They don't actually make one long enough and narrow enough to fit the D3 or D4. I went with Rhino as my dad is mates with the owner of a Rhino in Australia. Got a deal too good to say no to.
Short rails on the front.
Brett...

[SBD4]

That's the problem; they only quote access height, which is lower than normal. Any idea how much lower? Most shopping centres around my area tend to be at 1.95m.

page 266 in the owners manual gives you all the info you need:

http://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/topix/service/archive/62606/GTR_technicalspecifications.pdf

- Access height 1 837 mm 72.3 in.
- Standard height 1 887 mm 74.3 in.
- Standard height with roof rails 1 891 mm 74.4 in.
- Off-road height 1 942 mm 76.45 in.

[simoncs]

Guys, my full length rack has been made and is on its way. It should fit flush to the roof tracks. Powder coated alloy.

Pics will follow as soon as its up.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[CSBrisie]

For those interested, you can fit a 2m plus pioneer platform rack to a D3 or 4 with factory short tracks; you do need to add Rhino front tracks and the front 2 legs are then obviously higher than the rear 4 rear legs; confirming price but it will be $1000 plus fitted; expo racks I recall are $1500. Anyway, another option.

[CSBrisie]

Simoncs, any update? Photos? Price?? I still would like a version that sits flush with the tracks, cheers

[simoncs]

not the best pics as taken with my phone.
very happy with the rack. it sits on the roof rails with some spacers. UNfortunately the D4 roof and rails curve, so unless you made a rack do the same you will always need some spacers.

At the moment the rack is sitting flush in the middle and the rear with spacers at the front only. I need to do this so I can get in and out of my garage. I would prefer to add some spacers at the rear and middle to give a little more clearance off the roof, but these are only 5mm thick, so do not detract from the aesthetics.
The rack is very well made, very strong and had hardly any flex in it when i stood on it, so I don't think there is an issue with having sit so low.
Custom made nuts were made to slide into the rails, and I used some eyebolts to secure it, which i just had to cut to size.

It is exactly what I wanted - i just need to tweak the setup. it is a little noisy above 80kph, but I will investigate making a wind deflector.
Brad has even added some plates that accessories can be bolted to - eg sun shade, hilift jack etc.

i also have pics of the rack off the car, that show how it is made - will try to post these later

[Disco3QLD]

Hi Simon,
Looks great on the truck :thumbsup: Glad your happy with it. It turned out well.

[101RRS]

I finally managed to put my D4 Tigerez rack onto my RRS just before Christmas. I have Rhino Tracks, and Rhino feet, Thule cross bars and the rack is connected to the cross bars via the slots in the top of the bars.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e334/gazzz21/Forum%20Posts%20Album/PC300187.jpg

In the future I may just bolt the rack direct to the feet. I found the rack to be no more noisy than the cross bars just by themselves and is really just a dull hum and just a bit more noisy when there is a cross wind.

The only issue is that the roof line is highest over the front doors so the front of the rack sits up in the air a bit creating a bit more wind resistance. Some spacers of the rear mounts should make the rack level.

Over 1000km there did not seem to be a noticeable increase in fuel consumption and certainly well less that 1l/100km.

Overall the Tigerez rack seems to be good value for money.

Garry