Ok Stupid Question But

[tonyci]

I have a 110 defender, have been thinking about getting a roof rack, not sure what one just yet. I would use it in the main for light camping touring items.
My question is how do you find access to loading and unloading the rack. Its a long way to the top so to speak. I have seen some with a ladder but must do not.
So how do manage to get stuff up and down ?.
Cheers
Tony

[Judo]

It depends what the item is, but I end up on the roof a lot...

[loneranger]

I've got Rhino bars fitted and only carrying light things so I reach up and put them up there then stand on the sidestep or rear tyre to tie them down.

[ozy013]

Fully Adjustable Wheel Step Stair VAN Truck 4WD ATV 4x4 Folding Lift Ladder | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Fully-Adjustable-Wheel-Step-Stair-Van-Truck-4WD-ATV-4X4-Folding-Lift-Ladder-/271694684339?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368)

We use one of these to access our ARB rack, pretty handy and adjustable. I think i got it from Ray's Outdoors a year or so ago. It was $40, on sale at the time.

I also have chequer plate on the wing tops and bonnet. The kids love climbing up to the rack from there.

In the long run, when finances permit, I'll get a rear ladder, probably custom made, that clamps to the rack and bolts to existing holes in the rear cross member. Bypassing bolting it to the body.

But for now the step works a treat.

[jimr1]

When I loading from home I use step ladders , When I'm unloading , say camping . I climb up the back using first the bumperets . then onto the spare . but I do have a spare wheel carrier . I do think a rear ladder is the safest way to go !!.. Jim

[The Cone of Silence]

I have a pop-top from Mulgo that hinges at the front above the driver. Thus, when I'm carrying anything on the roof for a decent length of time, it goes at the front of the car to ensure the pop top can still be deployed without needing a Scandanavian weightlifter.

This means I tend to access the roof gear from the front by standing on the bonnet. Mantec chequerplate protector holds my weight nicely without bending the bonnet.

If I need to get up onto the roofrack, the easiest way is with a ladder at the back but I have often climbed up from the bonnet too. Depends on your roofrack I guess...and how agile you are. I'm no spring lemur but I'm happy clambering about for a few more years!

Once the dual wheel carrier goes on in a week or so, I think I'll end up using the ladder less and just climbing up on the bumper and then the spare wheels. Will see how we go.

[tonyci]

Thanks for the reply's.
Kids have moved on can't send them up.
Some sort of ladder may have to be on the list.
Just installed a rear wheel carrier, bumperets on order, so might see how that works. I will look out for one of those "wheel Step" gadgets too.
Cheers
Tony

[Judo]

Fully Adjustable Wheel Step Stair VAN Truck 4WD ATV 4x4 Folding Lift Ladder | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Fully-Adjustable-Wheel-Step-Stair-Van-Truck-4WD-ATV-4X4-Folding-Lift-Ladder-/271694684339?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368)

We use one of these to access our ARB rack, pretty handy and adjustable. I think i got it from Ray's Outdoors a year or so ago. It was $40, on sale at the time.

I also have chequer plate on the wing tops and bonnet. The kids love climbing up to the rack from there.

In the long run, when finances permit, I'll get a rear ladder, probably custom made, that clamps to the rack and bolts to existing holes in the rear cross member. Bypassing bolting it to the body.

But for now the step works a treat.
I like! This would be great for those that carry a step ladder for packing up RTT's.

[KarlB]

I have a FrontRunner rack and ladder. I use the ladder to step onto the spare which is a far more stable place to stand. One of the keys to roofrack loading and unloading is not to put heavy items up there. The rack limit for recent defenders is 150 kg (including the rack). Anything on the rack will increase drag and thus fuel consumption. It also affects your centre og gravity. This is why LR officially recomends unloading the rack to travers steep side slopes.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/308.jpg

[VladTepes]

In the long run, when finances permit, I'll get a rear ladder, probably custom made, that clamps to the rack and bolts to existing holes in the rear cross member. Bypassing bolting it to the body.

But for now the step works a treat.


I want one of those side ladders for my 130. Anyone know where to get those or a design to get one built?

[Didge]

I read some where the load capacity for older defenders was 75kg including the rack - my daughters Barina had greater capacity at 100kg, as you said KarlB - it's all about stability.
I get to the roof from either side steps onto the rear wheel and up or rear bumperetty things onto the spare which Karl has pointed out is nice and stable and then up to the rack - make sure the rack has some sort of base such as expanded metal and not just a few bars (they're hard work to get around on)

[flagg]

Hey Didge, you are right - some Defenders are listed as being 75kg, and some 150. There were some threads around that had lists of the years etc, but I can't seem to find it.

[Didge]

Haha flagg, earlier I was looking for a youtube video from another forum user to post on the site but do you think I could find it?? No chance in hell, but I know I've seen it :)

[rovers4]

Hi,
Those folding side steps are good for the rear wheel. But my rack comes forward to the front of the roof.

To use it there I made a couple of hooks from 25mm flat, to go over the seat runner )front of sat and back) that then holds a 25mm square tube in place on top of the steps frame. The bottom of the frame sits on the door sill, beside the seat box.

You will find that one of the straps has a bit of a twist in it. Therefore a third strap is required to allow for the other side of the vehicle.

This all works very well to stand alongside the vehicle and give better reach, but does not allow one to climb up. I would not trust the mount for the spare hanging off the rear door.


SO! Where do I get one of those folding alum ladders that I saw stored lying length ways on the bonnet of a dark blue mainland Defender visiting Hobart last Thursday (23/4)? It was either a folder, or two sections that locked together to make one, but definitely low profile.

Either that, or a steel 6mm square section straight run that goes from the cross-member to the roof area?

rovers4

[ozy013]

SO! Where do I get one of those folding alum ladders that I saw stored lying length ways on the bonnet of a dark blue mainland Defender visiting Hobart last Thursday (23/4)? It was either a folder, or two sections that locked together to make one, but definitely low profile.
rovers4


Not sure about that particular alloy ladder, though I know Rhinorack make a folding steel ladder. http://www.rhinorack.de/Rhinoweb/Images/Accessories/VehicleImages/Vehicle_1566_2007921_12119.jpg
But for the price they're asking I could get the custom one made, that I mentioned in an earlier post.

I go to Japan quite often and these telescopic ladders are very common, Supa-Direct - The ORIGINAL Telescopic Ladder (http://www.supa-direct.com/)
Must be due to the shortage of space. They seem a good bit of kit, possibly a little bulky for what you might be after.

Hey VladTepes, I approached a couple of local fabricators, who took measurements and reckoned it would be pretty straight forward to knock one up. The price was around the $150 mark, about a year ago.

The wheel step works for me at the moment, if I need to get on the rack then I climb up on the spare which is mounted on one of Murray's fine carriers. It's just like most things at the moment, I have to prioritise between what I really need and what I want.

[robh]

Tony,

If you haven't got a roof rack yet, and you don't mind climbing on a roof rack then consider the Hannibal from either Landybitz or Mungo (expedition.centre.com.au). They come with a rear ladder, come in 1/2, 3/4 and full length for the 110. I have one and find it great. Its low profile (without top rail) so I can still fit in my garage.

Front Runner racks are similar and you can purchase a ladder separately so ends up being about the same price. From my research, the Front Runner slats run across the vehicle but the Hannibal's run length ways to help keep noise down. I liked both racks but the Hannibal was lower to the roof (30mm or 50mm) which was the difference to enable me to get it into my garage.

The slats are quite wide (about 100mm) so its pretty easy to walk on just be very careful in the wet.

Rob

[POD]

On our 9-week trip last year, sleeping mostly in a rooftop tent, I carried half of my aluminium extension ladder from home. I have a 3-section collapsible ladder as well as a folding ladder from an older RTT, the proper ladder is lighter in weight than either, much sturdier and more stable. I slung it under the roof rack, could easily access it from my side steps then use it for roof access.

[tonyci]

Tony,

If you haven't got a roof rack yet, and you don't mind climbing on a roof rack then consider the Hannibal from either Landybitz or Mungo (expedition.centre.com.au). They come with a rear ladder, come in 1/2, 3/4 and full length for the 110. I have one and find it great. Its low profile (without top rail) so I can still fit in my garage.

Front Runner racks are similar and you can purchase a ladder separately so ends up being about the same price. From my research, the Front Runner slats run across the vehicle but the Hannibal's run length ways to help keep noise down. I liked both racks but the Hannibal was lower to the roof (30mm or 50mm) which was the difference to enable me to get it into my garage.

The slats are quite wide (about 100mm) so its pretty easy to walk on just be very careful in the wet.

Rob
Thanks Rob was looking at the Hannibal.
Cheers
Tony

[KarlB]

Accepting the risk of being howled down ... I believe there are three outstanding roof racks available in Australia: Patriot, Hannibal and FrontRunner (in descending price order). All are light but strong and available in a range of sizes and a with a range of accessories. I opted for a FrontRunner, not because it was the cheapest option, but because of the stainless steel table that fits neatly under the rack. You can see it in the photo in my earlier post. I got the ladder at the same time and have since added a FrontRunner gas bottle carrier to the rear drivers side. FrontRunner is the most readily available of the three. You can see all their stuff on the Dolium website (Dolium Pty Ltd (http://www.dolium.com.au/home.html)). You can purchase from any Opposite Lock outlet or from Mulgo and others.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Judo]

Accepting the risk of being howled down ... I believe there are three outstanding roof racks available in Australia: Patriot, Hannibal and FrontRunner (in descending price order). All are light but strong and available in a range of sizes and a with a range of accessories. I opted for a FrontRunner, not because it was the cheapest option, but because of the stainless steel table that fits neatly under the rack. You can see it in the photo in my earlier post. I got the ladder at the same time and have since added a FrontRunner gas bottle carrier to the rear drivers side. FrontRunner is the most readily available of the three. You can see all their stuff on the Dolium website (Dolium Pty Ltd (http://www.dolium.com.au/home.html)). You can purchase from any Opposite Lock outlet or from Mulgo and others.

Cheers
KarlB
:)
What is the mechanism used for the table slide? I'm planning to build my next roof rack with the same idea, but solar panels that can slide out when parked/camped. I was thinking slide out over the windscreen.

[KarlB]

What is the mechanism used for the table slide? I'm planning to build my next roof rack with the same idea, but solar panels that can slide out when parked/camped. I was thinking slide out over the windscreen.

Appropriate sized 'square U' shaped rails mounted sideways and fixed to the rack rails. Table slides in/out like a draw. It sits up-side-down with legs folded into the tabletop recess. Table has small projection on one end that has a hole in it and that slides over a peg with a drop clip (like on early LR tailgates. The rails have some fine carpet like material glued to the lower surface. Not sure if this is to reduce rattle or to make the table slide more smoothly (I suspect the former). Hope this helps, but feel free to get back to me.

Cheers
KarlB

[Shoogs]

I have a Brownchurch with ladder, I would say the roofrack itself exceeds 150kgs... I carry 4 jerry cans and assorted bits and pieces and have had no issues with side slopes, cracked gutters, or broken mounts mind you its also attached to the roll cage... and access is great either across the bonnet or ladder, fuel economy... meh... I bought a 2.5t brick with a very small motor... isnt the journey the best bit in a Defender...at 85-90km/h...:cool:

[Didge]

Hey Karl, do you mind divulging what your rack cost?

[KarlB]

Hey Karl, do you mind divulging what your rack cost?
You can get all the current costs of the Dolium website, Opposite Lock website, Mulgo's site etc.