What do you want in a roof rack?

[Witchdoctor]

Building a roof rack for the Defender that i intend to market.

What does one require in a good roof rack
* Alloy or Steel
* Low profile
* Full tie rail
* Full flat deck
* Open rail deck
* Tie points in the deck
* Accessories for the rack
* light weight

I would appreciate your feedback!

Cheers
David

[pop058]

Building a roof rack for the Defender that i intend to market.

What does one require in a good roof rack
* Alloy or Steel
* Low profile
* Full tie rail
* Full flat deck
* Open rail deck
* Tie points in the deck
* Accessories for the rack
* light weight

I would appreciate your feedback!

Cheers
David

Alloy for weight reasons

Low profile is good to minumise wind resistance, but consider making it out of round tube (the front rails at least) to get rid of some wind noise. My last (ARB) rack whistled like crazy just on the 100km speed limit.

I prefer an open rail. this provides an abundance of tie-down points and can be sheeted if a full flat deck is required.

Having flat vertical surfaces (supports for upper rail) allows awnings, shovel, accesory mounts etc. much easier to fit.

my 0.02c anyway.

[redrovertdi]

mine is steel[easy to weld-modify-repair] approx 1inch above the roof with side rails only[ladders and 16ft canoe would be to high with front and rear rails], 1.2wide sheet of alloy checker plate so i can walk/sit on it

[Flipper]

[QUOTE=Witchdoctor;1937921]Building a roof rack for the Defender that i intend to market.

What does one require in a good roof rack
* Alloy or Steel
* Low profile
* Full tie rail
* Full flat deck
* Open rail deck
* Tie points in the deck
* Accessories for the rack
* light weight

I would appreciate your feedback!

1: From experience the roof rack must be able to flex without damaging the gutters.
Aluminium would be better and designed specifically to flex.

2: Low profile for sure, although provisions for high side extensions would be fantastic, or even better would be side extensions that are folded down when not in use.
(For EG: 200mm or so sides and you can flip up and lock in to give 400mm high sides..

3: Will need a tie rail at least on 3 sides.

4: I believe a chunky gauze floor is the only way to go so nothing sits in water.

5: Open rail deck to some degree.

6: I don't feel tie downs on the deck are necessary especially if I could feed ropes through a heavy duty gauze type deck.

7: No accessories really required for the deck I can think of as a must. Although if designed right it would be very handy if boat rollers could be inserted or bolted on the rear, to slide a tinny on or sheets of timber.

8: Obviously light weight is the go and Aluminium is probably the only way..

[carlschmid2002]

Low profile, but the ability to have high rails if required. (It is good to be able to park in shopping centres) Think about a underslide to hold camping table. Needs to be strong enough to walk on.

[newlandyowner]

I've got a Jaram tracklander, have a look at those for ideas, bloody strong and robust. The access ladder up the side of the landy makes it a lot more user friendly. Although a ladder on the back would be a better idea.

[jerryd]

I've got an original "Brownchurch" expedition rack fitted, it's galvanized steel and has been fitted since new. There has been no damage to the gutters at all.
I find it's perfect and have carried all sorts of things on it :)

[modman]

I work out of a 110 wagon daily
I want Ali @3m long
Tradesman style with mesh/grid floor
Rear rollers for boat/ladders
Legs that line up with b and c pillars as well as either side of rear window for strength
Dc

[redrovertdi]

I have a strip of blue boat trailer slide[nylon] across each open end of my rack for sliding the ladder and the canoe on

[Judo]

It depends what it will be used for... For general all-round purpose I love mine. It gets used for camping trips with all the usual camping gear. It's a home made steel rack. Full length of the Disco with mesh. I'm a big fan of mesh for the all-round rack. If I make another, I will make sure the mesh squares are not too small though, as I can only JUST squeeze decent sized hooks through the mesh for the tie downs. It's a PITA when I can't get a hook through!

The steel is probably what you would consider light to medium weight square, however it's still strong enough to stand on (with care, of course). It will flex a little when walking on it, but still strong enough to carry 100+kgs of payload spread across it without a problem. (And have done so).

The side rails are great for pushing goods up against and attaching ropes and tie downs. IMO they don't need to have any great height. I might make the sides shorter next time. Say 50mm?

It is gutter mounted with 4 legs each side.

I've had it 18 months and if/when I make my next rack for the 110, I will be using the same design, just the small changes mentioned above.

[Xtreme]

Building a roof rack for the Defender that i intend to market.

What does one require in a good roof rack
* Alloy or Steel
* Low profile
* Full tie rail
* Full flat deck
* Open rail deck
* Tie points in the deck
* Accessories for the rack
* light weight

I would appreciate your feedback!

Cheers
David

I'd like the floor of the rack to consist of three or four full length sections strong enough to be used as sand (or maybe even bridging) ladders which woud serve as the roof rack floor for 99% of the time and could be removed (unbolted) and used as a traction aid on the odd occassion.

[Judo]

I'd like the floor of the rack to consist of three or four full length sections strong enough to be used as sand (or maybe even bridging) ladders which woud serve as the roof rack floor for 99% of the time and could be removed (unbolted) and used as a traction aid on the odd occassion.
A very innovative idea, however you obviously don't put much stuff on your roof! :p The amount of stuff we have on the roof, I'd rather tie some plastic (light weight) sand ladders on the roof as well. But maybe I'm just really lazy. (I am).

On a similar note to that, I think reasonably priced optional attachments (bolt on?) would be popular. Eg. Gas bottle holder, shovel mount, axe mount, table slide, fishing rods, etc.

[Lagerfan]

On a similar note to that, I think reasonably priced optional attachments (bolt on?) would be popular. Eg. Gas bottle holder, shovel mount, axe mount, table slide, fishing rods, etc.

This gets my vote, recently been looking at roof racks and can't believe how much these additional accessories cost!

[Xtreme]

A very innovative idea, however you obviously don't put much stuff on your roof! :p .................

Correct, and for the short time that I may need to 'borrow' the floor of the rack to traverse a difficult patch I could stuff the gear from the rack inside.
The advantage is that you always have your sand/bridging ladders with you and wouldn't have to remember to load them each time you went out.

On a similar note, I made a rock slider/step a few years ago which can be unbolted and used as a solid tow bar.

I guess I just like things to be multipurpose where possible. ;) :D

[Sue]

I fell in love with the Baja roof racks... :) but Hubby said no.. :(

But in answer to your question.. I think that everyone has already put forward what I would have said but I think that when people buy a roof rack they are often also looking for accessories for that rack.. ladders, jerry can holders, mounting brackets for 'stuff' etc.. well I know that I was taking those things into consideration when I was looking.

[Judo]

Correct, and for the short time that I may need to 'borrow' the floor of the rack to traverse a difficult patch I could stuff the gear from the rack inside.
The advantage is that you always have your sand/bridging ladders with you and wouldn't have to remember to load them each time you went out.

On a similar note, I made a rock slider/step a few years ago which can be unbolted and used as a solid tow bar.

I guess I just like things to be multipurpose where possible. ;) :D
How about side step sand ladders....?

[Xtreme]

How about side step sand ladders....?

Maybe, but possibly not able to be made wide enough.

[HardCharger]

What's wrong with the factory Expedition Rack? Asides from the fact that it'll most likely b expensive seeing as it has "Land Rover" stamped on it?

[Loubrey]

What's wrong with the factory Expedition Rack? Asides from the fact that it'll most likely b expensive seeing as it has "Land Rover" stamped on it?

If you are referring to the one in the Defender brochure - tubular arrangement that's a mix between a mechano set and an Ikea flatpack the only way to describe it IMO is cheap and nasty without being cheap...

Official Defender Accessories: Winch, Bar, Protection & Styling | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/defender/accessories/)

Check under "Carrying and Towing" and then roof racks...

This is not to be mistaken with the genuine G4 Expedition Rack, which is a really realy good rack and follows similar design lines.

The tent pole type joints leak enough to let water in, so it'll rust from the inside out and there is no way anyone over 50kg can stand on it without bending the frame.

A few years ago now (quite a few!) the insurance company refused to replace my Front Runner rack (incident with a falling branch) like for like and insisted on a Land Rover OME one. Talk about false advertising calling it an Expedition rack...

Maybe the quality has improved over the years, but knowing Land Rover and their overpriced accessories that is unlikely.

Cheers,

Lou

[HardCharger]

Thanks for the warning, Lou!

Almost spent the coin for that one.

Now that I think about it, roof racks for "just in case" scenarios aren't really worth adding on then, right?

[Westie]

I've got an original "Brownchurch" expedition rack fitted, it's galvanized steel and has been fitted since new. There has been no damage to the gutters at all.
I find it's perfect and have carried all sorts of things on it :)

I've had the same Brownchurch roof rack for 24 years on a couple of 110s. Most of the Kays that its done have been off the bitumen. It's heavy but it's lasted!

Check out their website for images and some design ideas. I think that their roof rack supports that come down to the 'waist' of the vehicle are unique.

[Loubrey]

Thanks for the warning, Lou!

Almost spent the coin for that one.

Now that I think about it, roof racks for "just in case" scenarios aren't really worth adding on then, right?

I suppose it depends if you're buying a 90 or 110...

In a 90 space is a bit of a premium and I use the roof rack a lot. A 110 and 130 gives you a lot more scope.

Still pricey as a "just in case" accessory though!

Cheers,

Lou

[HardCharger]

Was actually planning it for the 110. But as you mentioned, it would be a pricey "just in case" accessory.

So I reckon the wing top and bonnet checker plating can be removed, or do I still need them to peer over a wall or something?

[snowbound]

what I would like of your roof rack is that it accidentally appears on my rangie! How expensive are the current options? Stone the flamin crows!

[davidsonsm]

IMO being able to.access the roof rack with easily detachable ladders is most important. So an easily hookonable ladder is essential - but not fixed in one position.

[Chenz]

I bought this roof rack from a bloke who had it on his 110 for a few years. I gave it a good sand and resprayed it.

Its not that heavy and I have had a fair bit of kit on it on many long trips with the Edjits.

A couple of photos below

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/88.jpg
Just after I installed it

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/7406/bl5o.jpg
With some additional mods including Hi-lift and shovel rack and rod tube

[Witchdoctor]

Thanks for all you ideas & input, fantastic!

Now to put that information to pencil & paper or Computer & come up with a good design That will cover most bases.

Ill start with alloy, low profile & flat sides to bolt things on to.

Ill post as it progresses.

Thanks again

David

[lardy]

I reckon the Australian army did a fine job,ugly yes but you could walk on em.
Mesh and tube

[juddy]

Do you mean the Perentie ones?

[lardy]

Well the ones that went on the early 110's were awesome