D3 roof racks and or cage?

[Leroy_Riding]

I see lots of people have the Pioneer platform, others the Windcheater.

both seem to be around the same price $1100. . . are there any other options that are cheaper?

My other train of thought is that maybe a cage is not needed with the D3 as I have so much more space inside over my old defender 90, and given I have a camper trailer now the need to carry a large oztent or swag on the roof has been negated, but I would like to be able to carry kayaks, large sheets of ply or gazebo occasionally.

also i did use the side awning on my defender quite a lot so would like to have one on my Discovery eventually also.

So if i don't go for one of the above mentioned cages, what is the best and lowest profile roof rack option for a D3 2008 S model (it has black strips on the roof, are these the 'channels' that the roof rack sites talk about some D3's not having?

Thanks
Leroy.

[Redback]

I see lots of people have the Pioneer platform, others the Windcheater.

both seem to be around the same price $1100. . . are there any other options that are cheaper?

My other train of thought is that maybe a cage is not needed with the D3 as I have so much more space inside over my old defender 90, and given I have a camper trailer now the need to carry a large oztent or swag on the roof has been negated, but I would like to be able to carry kayaks, large sheets of ply or gazebo occasionally.

also i did use the side awning on my defender quite a lot so would like to have one on my Discovery eventually also.

So if i don't go for one of the above mentioned cages, what is the best and lowest profile roof rack option for a D3 2008 S model (it has black strips on the roof, are these the 'channels' that the roof rack sites talk about some D3's not having?

Thanks
Leroy.

Has your car got roof rail/tracks to fit roof racks, these aren't cheap and there's two lengths, short, for the back only and long for full length racks/platform.

Give this guy a PM, you might need to join the Forum, not a bad bunch really, no idea if he has sold it though.

Rhino Pioneer Platform 42103B For Sale (http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3845-Rhino-Pioneer-Platform-42103B-For-Sale)

Baz.

[Leroy_Riding]

Has your car got roof rail/tracks to fit roof racks, these aren't cheap and there's two lengths, short, for the back only and long for full length racks/platform.

Give this guy a PM, you might need to join the Forum, not a bad bunch really, no idea if he has sold it though.

Rhino Pioneer Platform 42103B For Sale (http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3845-Rhino-Pioneer-Platform-42103B-For-Sale)

Baz.

Thanks Baz,

Though, As I said in my post. I don't know what these 'tracks' are, Is this the black plastic channel on the roof?
I cannot seem to find information RE this, I am used to cars with a gutters to attach racks too.
Leroy.

[eddomak]

Thanks Baz,

Though, As I said in my post. I don't know what these 'tracks' are, Is this the black plastic channel on the roof?
I cannot seem to find information RE this, I am used to cars with a gutters to attach racks too.
Leroy.

D3/D4 comes standard with some black rubber strips that run from front to back. When tracks are installed, the rubber strip is removed to reveal some threaded holes. The short version of the tracks only run the length of the upper section of the roof:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/1319.jpg

The long/extended version extends forward and bends down to join the lower section of the roof.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/1320.jpg

Rhino also makes a lower profile version:
http://roofrack.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/600x600/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/d/i/discovery-4-va-rltp-s-01_lrgroofrackworldsa.jpg

Once these tracks/channels are installed, then you can attach the legs for various cross bars, baskets, platforms, etc (as can be seen in those pictures)

Hope this helps.

[Leroy_Riding]

So what you are telling me is, that I cannot simply buy a set of $350 roof racks? I need to purchase and install these Rails before I can buy and install roof racks?

or are there roof racks on the market that can mount direct to the holes that these tracks mount to?

thanks
Leroy.

EDIT: looks like Prorack do -> http://www.prorack.com.au/instructions/fittingkits/K436.pdf

[Redback]

Thanks Baz,

Though, As I said in my post. I don't know what these 'tracks' are, Is this the black plastic channel on the roof?
I cannot seem to find information RE this, I am used to cars with a gutters to attach racks too.
Leroy.

Yeah that's them, Rhino sell aftermarket version of them.

[AnD3rew]

Yep I got the full rhino, tracks, short legs and platform. This is a tall car and even more so with the racks, if you need to get into city and shopping centre carparks etc I recoomend the rhino pioneer platform with short rhino legs.

[RobA]

I don't recommend the Pioneer platform if you want to keep it on permanently. A great product for sure but it creates a full time cyclone on the roof. We took that path initially but have ended up with three aero bars and a 2.1m wire platform that is only installed when required and supplemented by a shorter cage that fits on the two rear bars for shorter trips when all we need to carry is an extra spare, matrix and some JC's

Rob

[AnD3rew]

I don't recommend the Pioneer platform if you want to keep it on permanently. A great product for sure but it creates a full time cyclone on the roof. We took that path initially but have ended up with three aero bars and a 2.1m wire platform that is only installed when required and supplemented by a shorter cage that fits on the two rear bars for shorter trips when all we need to carry is an extra spare, matrix and some JC's

Rob


Not sure what you mean by that, I don't get undue noise etc from mine and I leave it on full time, although mine is nit full length just at the back.

[Redback]

I don't recommend the Pioneer platform if you want to keep it on permanently. A great product for sure but it creates a full time cyclone on the roof. We took that path initially but have ended up with three aero bars and a 2.1m wire platform that is only installed when required and supplemented by a shorter cage that fits on the two rear bars for shorter trips when all we need to carry is an extra spare, matrix and some JC's

Rob

I initially thought the same thing, we found the opposite, so we went back to the platform, but with shorter legs.

Baz.

[Leroy_Riding]

Okay, so seems mixed opinions, well lets put it this way, the limited use I will get from a platform some noise wont bother me as I would leave it off 98% of the time.

that brings me back to just roof racks, are the pro-rack ones I posted able to work without these 'tracks' you all mention? as the fitting instructions seem to show that they do? but I would like confirmation (appears that they will be in a fixed location and not movable though) as I don't want to spend $350 to then find I need to spend another $300 on tracks!
and with racks fitted I can add a and remove a cage (that i dont need to purchase right now) whenever I like, or when a trip requires this.

also If I choose not to take my camper up the cape i can put my tent on the racks, no need for a cage. .

thanks
Leroy.

[eddomak]

that brings me back to just roof racks, are the pro-rack ones I posted able to work without these 'tracks' you all mention? as the fitting instructions seem to show that they do? but I would like confirmation (appears that they will be in a fixed location and not movable though)

I am guessing they cannot move forwards/backwards. Unless anyone else has the same or similar installation I guess no-one can answer you definitively. ;) All I can add is that I have a single rack on the front (lower) 2 holes occasionally without the need for a track, and without the ability to move.

I reckon a quick call to Pro-rack or a roof rack specialist could be the quickest way to an authoritative answer to all your questions. All the best!

[Leroy_Riding]

I might do that, I've missed the roof racks I had on the defender, made getting sheets of ply so simple! so want to get some rather soon.

Leroy.

[Redback]

I might do that, I've missed the roof racks I had on the defender, made getting sheets of ply so simple! so want to get some rather soon.

Leroy.

Leroy, we have an Amarok(daughters) it has the same setup as the D3/D4, it has sections in those that pop out to install legs without the need for tracks, I've never looked, but maybe the D3 does also.

Here, scroll down and you'll see what I mean.
http://vpm.cdn.rhinorack.com.au/Instructions/RoofRacks/RSP/RSP24_VW_Amarok.pdf

[Leroy_Riding]

yeah, looks nearly identical to the ProRack instructions for the D3 I posted Earlier (scroll up a bit too see)

Leroy.

[Redback]

yeah, looks nearly identical to the ProRack instructions for the D3 I posted Earlier (scroll up a bit too see)

Leroy.

Yes very similar, our D4 came with tracks, hence why I hadn't looked at ours, as we didn't need too, our daughter has been toying with the idea, she needs somewhere to put a 6th spare for touring, the other option is roof rails over the tub, the vortex style ones.

Baz.

[Leroy_Riding]

Yes very similar, our D4 came with tracks, hence why I hadn't looked at ours, as we didn't need too, our daughter has been toying with the idea, she needs somewhere to put a 6th spare for touring, the other option is roof rails over the tub, the vortex style ones.

Baz.

I toyed with the rolla rack tracks on the hard cover of my old commodore(VE SV6 60th anniversary) for carrying wake baords and mountain bikes, but int he end sold the car haha. but have seen it done lots.

Leroy.

[eddomak]

I might do that, I've missed the roof racks I had on the defender, made getting sheets of ply so simple! so want to get some rather soon.

Leroy.

If you regularly carry full sized sheet goods, then I find just the 2 bars at the back lacking in support lengthwise (especially for thin materials) and had some breakages :o. It's better to then add some further supports (45x90x1800) underneath the sheet goods, or perhaps put a front bar on, as per my other post (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/217271-third-roof-cross-bar-lower-section-roof.html#post2336286):

[Leroy_Riding]

If you regularly carry full sized sheet goods, then I find just the 2 bars at the back lacking in support lengthwise (especially for thin materials) and had some breakages :o. It's better to then add some further supports (45x90x1800) underneath the sheet goods, or perhaps put a front bar on, as per my other post (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/217271-third-roof-cross-bar-lower-section-roof.html#post2336286):

in the past (before the flat 2.2mtr rack on the defender) I used to use 75x30's strapped on top of the sheets so the wind dint bend them up and break them, never one breakage on the ole' Adventura doing that :)