Roof rails and roof racks

[shanegtr]

Ok all, Im just starting my research into a suitable roof rack to put onto my D3. So it seems I need to tackle this in two parts. PArt one, roof rails. I already have the short rails, and today I was looking at the extended rail setup and it seems to me that there's not much extra rail to be had be installing these. What's your thoughts?
Secondly, what rack do you have (or one youve seen) that's up to the task? It needs to be lightweight so I can take it off when not needed, and the mounting needs to be trouble free also for the same reason. I would prefer full length as with 4 kids we will end up using it when traveling. I also prefer rails on the side to help keep everything contained

[discomania]

I've got a D2 but the issue is fairly generic.

I got extended rails but on and I have 4 removable and adjustable "Whisbar" cross bars. These can easily be removed order-arranged to fits the load which may vary from a canoe, Rhino pod, Oztent, fishing rods and all sorts of bits and pieces. They are easily removed or adjusted using the Allan key which came with them. ( I just keep one in the centre console).

My D2 is silver with black snorkel and bullbar, and the rails and cross bars are black and silver so it looks ok.

The cross bars are made from aluminium with black composite end caps with a rubber strip on top to provide a low slip cushion for the load. They are very low profile and do not whistle, rattle or create other annoying noise at speed, and they allow me to drive into the garage (just) without the need for removal.

Very happy with the product, will look again to do a similar setup with the next Disco. They can also accept an adaptor bracket to take a Foxwing or similar.

I got them from a roof rack specialist on the norhtside of Brisbane.

[RickO]

Try this mob:
Land Rover Discovery 3 4 Full Length Alloy Roof Rack Cage 2200 X 1200mm Light | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LAND-ROVER-Discovery-3-4-Alloy-Roof-Rack-Cage-Full-Length-2200x1200-Super-light-/291053475444)

I haven't personally seen them but a good mate who lives on that side of town went out to have a look for me and he said that they looked like good quality fr a very reasonable price.

I'll be darkening their doorstep when the piggy bank is restocked...

[Fred Nerk]

The amount of gear that can be carried on the roof is quite limited. If I remember correctly it is 75 or 80 kg. The limit includes the weight of any roof rack. Note, the limit is nothing to do with the strength of the car or its roof. It is all about dynamic loads and centre of gravity etc. which affects stability while driving.

It is easy to reach the limit with a small roof rack and since a long roofrack is even heavier before you load anything it seems to me at least that the long rack is the wrong choice. You can carry more on the short rack.

I have the short Front Runner, Windcheater,Opposite Lock (they are all the same). Can be removed, but is a bit fiddly to do on your own and so I leave mine on. It has a very flexible system for securing stuff and has options such as gas bottle holders and Jerry can holders etc. It is lighter than many of the others and very quiet.

Hope I've helped.

[LGM]

I have the short roof rails installed on my D4. As Fred N says there is a limit to what you can carry from a total mass perspective so I figured that putting a full length roof rack would be overkill for my needs. I also wanted to be able to lift my roof rack on and off so total mass of the empty roof rack became a consideration. I did not want the Roof Rack set up on the vehicle all year round as I usually only get away once or twice in a 12 month period. I opted for a Rhino roof platform for two reasons, one it was reasonably easy to handle when fitting and removing and two, the optional kit available of the shelf was extensive, albeit at a price. If you have a lot of bulky but light stuff then maybe a full length rack is what you need, but again as Fred N said, its easy to exceed the limits.

[BMKal]

I've got the full length Front Runner rack on mine. It stays on permanently. Height is an issue for me as I can only just scrape under the office - have to lower the suspension to get in without touching.

The heaviest thing that goes up there is the OzTent - I need the length to carry that on the roof as it's 2.5 metres long when all packed up. Other than that, all leightweight stuff in a Rhino bag, a 10 litre gerry can of water and another small tent which clips on under the side awning for short overnight stops.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/10/1450.jpg

[gossamer]

Try this mob:
Land Rover Discovery 3 4 Full Length Alloy Roof Rack Cage 2200 X 1200mm Light | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LAND-ROVER-Discovery-3-4-Alloy-Roof-Rack-Cage-Full-Length-2200x1200-Super-light-/291053475444)

I haven't personally seen them but a good mate who lives on that side of town went out to have a look for me and he said that they looked like good quality fr a very reasonable price.

I'll be darkening their doorstep when the piggy bank is restocked...
i bought the extended rails off this guy and they seem fine. the rails come with crossbars

[winaje]

i bought the extended rails off this guy and they seem fine. the rails come with crossbars

Did you find that the rails matched up perfectly to the roof, etc?
I've been looking at the genuine rails, but they are prohibitively expensive. I'm particularly interested in proper fit, and quality of build and materials, also if the after market rails can fit the same cross rails and accessories as the OEM?

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks

[letherm]

I thought this might be helpful. From memory they also sell the rails. I looked at them when I was buying my D4 last year but ended up getting the oem as part of the deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV7AMmIrxA8&list=PL7DE818C6ABC9EFC9&index=45

They have a lot of other how to videos on YouTube as well.

Martin

[winaje]

Thanks Martin, have watched that a number of times. I'm mainly concerned with the quality of the 3rd party rails.

[NavyDiver]

Picture of my rack http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/207054-300k-today.html

Discovery 3-4 Slimline Roof Rack | Roof Racks | Opposite Lock (http://www.oppositelock.com.au/catalogue/roofracks/discovery-3-4-slimline-roof-rack)

My rails were removed and new ones put on to fit this one

[winaje]

Which rails did you have? And what did you end up doing with the old ones?

[gossamer]

i am happy with the fit http://vid169.photobucket.com/albums/u227/jasonw2262/IMG_0738_zps0636ecc2.mp4https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/10/1445.jpg

[winaje]

i am happy with the fit
Thanks a lot Jason, appreciate you taking the vid to show the fit

[Canaussie]

84962
This is the Baja rack which utilises short roof rails which are from front runner. Apparently the new Baja rack does not require roof rails at all now

[shanegtr]

I like the look of the baja racks, but I don't like the weight. From the spec sheets I was looking at they where 45kg

[LandyAndy]

I was considering one of these for my D4.
Land Rover Discovery 3 Discovery 4 L319 Alloy Roof Rack CAGE1650MM W Brackets | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-Discovery-4-L319-Alloy-Roof-Rack-Cage1650mm-w-Brackets-/290970741743?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2004%7CModel%3ADiscovery&hash=item43bf352bef)

At the moment I think I will go with 3 Rola or similar bars on the rear section.
I built a loverly strong flat roofrack for my D2 with the thoughts of getting a roof top tent.In the end 99.8% of that racks work was carrying fishing rods in storage tubes or on the rack.The rest of the use was long items from the hardware shops.Thinking 3 bars may be good enough for my needs.
Andrew

[Canaussie]

I like the look of the baja racks, but I don't like the weight. From the spec sheets I was looking at they where 45kg


Hmmm mine weighs 28kg. The new spec sheet says 29.5kg. Not sure where that info came from.
84978
This is a shot from Wolf 4x4 product page for Baja rack

[shanegtr]

Hmmm mine weighs 28kg. The new spec sheet says 29.5kg. Not sure where that info came from.
84978
This is a shot from Wolf 4x4 product page for Baja rack
I got that info from the baja racks website


Frame:1” (25.4mm), ¾” (19.05mm)* and 1/2’”(12.7mm)* Steel tubing
Wind Deflector:.062” (1.57mm), 5050-H32 Aluminum
Finish: Epoxy primer (rust inhibitor) with black powder coating
Rack weight:*100 Lb (45.5Kg).
Weight Capacity:600Lb (272 kg)
Measurements outside Frame: 50”(1270 mm) Wide x 92” (2336.8 mm) Long x 5” (127mm) tall
Mounting method:Roof Rail Mounts (4 brackets) and Roof Mount (2 brackets).
Mounting method BR-LR34RR-0: Rear Roof Rails (1 Passenger , 1 Driver side) and Front Roof Mount (2 brackets)
Baja Rack (http://www.bajarack.com/br-lr-lr3-1-0)

[NavyDiver]

Which rails did you have? And what did you end up doing with the old ones?

I gave the factory rails to a nice gent who posted a project building his own roof rack. It is in Projects but buried a little now.