Fubar
29th August 2018, 10:19 AM
Hey guys,
I'm looking at crafting up a full length alloy rack for the 130. This is a question for the DIY/expert alloy welders.
Sizing approx 3.6m x 1.3m with 30mm upper/lower side tubes, 30x3mm cross bars every 500 and a 7mm diamond grill mesh floor. I'm keen on having a floor you can walk on so you can get up onthe roof to lash loads or sleep up there in good weather.
It will be mounted on a hard shell canopy (steel frame) at the rear and external bars (ala Safety Devices cage) at the front. It doesn't need to take a lot of weight, just the usual assortment of swags, Oz-tent and firewood from time to time. I'll only have the top rail on each side & rear, no top bar at the front.
I'd settled on this after looking into what was available locally. The Hannibal rack seems good, but starts at $1600 for a bare, raw rack and they are just converting to building them in Australia. The Australian distributor commented on a lack of consistent supply and build quality as the reason for local construction. I got the impression if I bought one it would be the first one they build….I’m slightly hesitant about that. I have also considered buying 2.2m and 1.3m wagon racks to make up the coverage, but it would look a bit Heath Robinson.
I was happily trundling down this path till I read some advice in an overlanding book that recommended staying away from welded alloy racks and sticking to steel structures for long term use. I don't intend to load mine up like some of the trans-African Defender pack mules you see, but it made me think of longevity (15-10 years plus) considering the length of the rack and 'over the counter' alloys that would be used. I had planned to get a competent TIG welder (BIL mining fitter/welder) to glue it together as TIG welding alloy is not in my wheelhouse.
If I did it in steel I’d probably go for a 30mmx2mm single outer pipe (flat rack) with a Wisa deck floor….though there is a good deal more weight in it which is less than ideal (calculated 33kg vs 51kg).
Anyone have some long term alloy rack experience to share on this subject?
Cheers,
Jason
Picture of hannibal rack for reference - Not my truck!
https://photos.smugmug.com/4BD1T/i-ZHQxPDz/0/f4a5d336/XL/hannibal-roof-rack-defender-130-series-03-XL.jpg
I'm looking at crafting up a full length alloy rack for the 130. This is a question for the DIY/expert alloy welders.
Sizing approx 3.6m x 1.3m with 30mm upper/lower side tubes, 30x3mm cross bars every 500 and a 7mm diamond grill mesh floor. I'm keen on having a floor you can walk on so you can get up onthe roof to lash loads or sleep up there in good weather.
It will be mounted on a hard shell canopy (steel frame) at the rear and external bars (ala Safety Devices cage) at the front. It doesn't need to take a lot of weight, just the usual assortment of swags, Oz-tent and firewood from time to time. I'll only have the top rail on each side & rear, no top bar at the front.
I'd settled on this after looking into what was available locally. The Hannibal rack seems good, but starts at $1600 for a bare, raw rack and they are just converting to building them in Australia. The Australian distributor commented on a lack of consistent supply and build quality as the reason for local construction. I got the impression if I bought one it would be the first one they build….I’m slightly hesitant about that. I have also considered buying 2.2m and 1.3m wagon racks to make up the coverage, but it would look a bit Heath Robinson.
I was happily trundling down this path till I read some advice in an overlanding book that recommended staying away from welded alloy racks and sticking to steel structures for long term use. I don't intend to load mine up like some of the trans-African Defender pack mules you see, but it made me think of longevity (15-10 years plus) considering the length of the rack and 'over the counter' alloys that would be used. I had planned to get a competent TIG welder (BIL mining fitter/welder) to glue it together as TIG welding alloy is not in my wheelhouse.
If I did it in steel I’d probably go for a 30mmx2mm single outer pipe (flat rack) with a Wisa deck floor….though there is a good deal more weight in it which is less than ideal (calculated 33kg vs 51kg).
Anyone have some long term alloy rack experience to share on this subject?
Cheers,
Jason
Picture of hannibal rack for reference - Not my truck!
https://photos.smugmug.com/4BD1T/i-ZHQxPDz/0/f4a5d336/XL/hannibal-roof-rack-defender-130-series-03-XL.jpg