Roof rack suggestions

[Parso]

Hi Team. I'm in the market to add a roof rack / basket to my 2005 LR3 to free up some boot space for camping.
I've already got factory cross bars on the short rails. All I seem to find online is lots of D2 gutter mount options and generic bar mounts.
Has anyone added a basket to their bars and had a good experience or am I better of spending more and mounting a rack on the rails?
Matt

[gavinwibrow]

Hi Team. I'm in the market to add a roof rack / basket to my 2005 LR3 to free up some boot space for camping.
I've already got factory cross bars on the short rails. All I seem to find online is lots of D2 gutter mount options and generic bar mounts.
Has anyone added a basket to their bars and had a good experience or am I better of spending more and mounting a rack on the rails?
Matt

I have a full roof rack that came with the new to me D4. However, ironically on my D2 I had cross bars and an (easily removable) basket, which I found much more practical, including on the Canning Stock Route as in lighter, strong enough to carry fuel and sleeping gear and plenty of places to tie onto. I just attach the basket with u bolt clamps as and when needed. For around town the worst I usually carry is a ladder, so cross bars are ideal.
Horses for courses but KISS worked for me.

[BrianElloy]

Love my Rhino pioneer platform rack

[Eric SDV6SE]

Love my Rhino pioneer platform rack

+1 for the Rhino full length platform

[jliquorish]

What size Rhino rack have you guys put on. Did you bother with the side rails? I'm thinking of putting my Oztent RV4 and add-ons up there.

[gavinwibrow]

What size Rhino rack have you guys put on. Did you bother with the side rails? I'm thinking of putting my Oztent RV4 and add-ons up there.


Mine is the full length 7 foot Front Runner with an integrated slight side railing, and strong enough to carry a rooftop tent and sleepers.
For our RV4 tent I copied a local LR owners design using a length of metal cable conduit about 12 inches wide and with a couple of rollers integrated to ease storage/removal. If you were local I'd be happy to show you.

[Redtail]

Mine is the full length 7 foot Front Runner with an integrated slight side railing, and strong enough to carry a rooftop tent and sleepers.
For our RV4 tent I copied a local LR owners design using a length of metal cable conduit about 12 inches wide and with a couple of rollers integrated to ease storage/removal. If you were local I'd be happy to show you.
Interesting.
I wouldn't mind a look at that. Any chance you could post a thread about it?

[gavinwibrow]

Interesting.
I wouldn't mind a look at that. Any chance you could post a thread about it?

Can do - will get some pix next time I go to my storage unit after this weekend. Probably best posted in the camping directory?

[gavinwibrow]

Interesting.
I wouldn't mind a look at that. Any chance you could post a thread about it?


How far west of Perth?

[rocket rod]

I had nothing on the roof to start with and initially went with 3 x Rhino bars and their channel mount system. I've since changed to Rhino platform (as I could reuse the legs) but the platform only gets used on trips as it's too noisy and 2 x bars go back on for around town.

[Eric SDV6SE]

What size Rhino rack have you guys put on. Did you bother with the side rails? I'm thinking of putting my Oztent RV4 and add-ons up there.

I've just got the platform at this stage, no side rails. Carries everything I need and more, the longitudinal t track allows fixing anywhere along the length.

The front runner design is similar, but the bars run across the platform.

[Redtail]

How far west of Perth?
As you know, you can't go too far without getting wet. ;)
Wembley, as it happens.

I just thought it would be useful to show others your RV4 tent rack.

I actually have a Prospeed, and just lift the RV4 on and off from the side. Your roller setup sounds interesting.

[ATH]

For our RV4 tent I copied a local LR owners design using a length of metal cable conduit about 12 inches wide and with a couple of rollers integrated to ease storage/removal. If you were local I'd be happy to show you.
I do believe that design (mildly altered from another I saw to be better) was mine Gavin as I gave that carrier to the big bloke (Phill) from LROCWA when he bought our tent off us and who lent the carrier to you once. :) I made it like that as it was much easier to slide the Oztent up from the back now I'm getting old and past it, rather than hoist it up from the side.
Maybe I should have patented it....
AlanH.

[ATH]

Can do - will get some pix next time I go to my storage unit after this weekend. Probably best posted in the camping directory?

Don't forget pics of the front wind/bug deflector Gavin. :)
AlanH.

[gavinwibrow]

Don't forget pics of the front wind/bug deflector Gavin. :)
AlanH.


Correct - didn't want to dob you in without prior permission, and was pretty sure you'd pop up.
Yep, will include slipstreaming bug minimiser.
Just have to get back to the big smoke first.

[ATH]

The rain awaits you Gavin. :)
AlanH.

[BMKal]

I'd be interested to see the carrier for the RV4 as well. I have a full length Frontrunner rack on my D4, and it is getting to be a bit of a struggle lifting the RV4 on and off the side of the rack - especially as SWMBO seems to be getting shorter. [bigwhistle]

[ATH]

Buy the lady a stool BMK and that'll make up for any shortening...... :) I did that to help the Cook in and out of the van as she has had 2 fractured thighs over the last couple of years (beware all those taking Fosamax long term) and I left it behind somewhere on our last trip!
Is my name mud now. :)
Back to the post...sliding a tent like the RV4 is easy from the back. I pinched the idea from someone else for using conduit tray and put a roller about 50mm dia. and 300mm long across the back end on an axle to facilitate the job. Plus a bug/wind deflector of flat ally which is hinged at the front which also cuts wind noise. Worked well but I didn't like the Oztent tent although many do, and sold it and gave the carrier away to the lucky buyer who actually doesn't need it being a big bloke...
Cheap to make and better than the original carrier in my mind.
AlanH.

[gavinwibrow]

I'd be interested to see the carrier for the RV4 as well. I have a full length Frontrunner rack on my D4, and it is getting to be a bit of a struggle lifting the RV4 on and off the side of the rack - especially as SWMBO seems to be getting shorter. [bigwhistle]



Consider it done. I hope to get to the carrier Monday pm, and will take plenty of pics to either post or if I have the usual problems posting, can forward more detailed versions via email.

[gavinwibrow]

Consider it done. I hope to get to the carrier Monday pm, and will take plenty of pics to either post or if I have the usual problems posting, can forward more detailed versions via email.


The frame is 2450mm long, made from 310 x 50 thin galvanised steel conduit holder. I didn't have anything to weigh it with but probably less than 10 kilos?

I used 5/8" galv bolts and slid multiple varying thickness ordinary retic pipe over to make the rollers. The bug catcher to protect the head of the tent was made out of a piece of lightweight metal sheet and hinged to be the same height as the laid down RV4.
In my case, I just u-bolted the finished frame to my east-west roof racks.

I have 2 x 3m left over lengths of the conduit holder if anyone is interested, as I was thinking of making multiple slimline "baskets" to clamp to my roofracks to carry extra fuel etc (but never got around to it, and have inherited a full roof platform and a half width basket in the interim).

The 2 intermediate rollers are strengthened, and the end one protrudes (also encased inn strengthening steel) so you can lean the tent against it and roll the tent up until it is up on the platform.
Cheers Gavin

[ATH]

Yet another development of it with the intermediate rollers Gavin. :) I didn't think they were necessary personally but they may well help the tent slide along easier.
Looks nearly as good as mine ...... :)
AlanH.

[gavinwibrow]

Yet another development of it with the intermediate rollers Gavin. :) I didn't think they were necessary personally but they may well help the tent slide along easier.
Looks nearly as good as mine ...... :)
AlanH.


Wot, can't you spell "better"? Its not many less letters than "nearly as good" [bigwhistle]


Dad was an engineer (didn't rub off much on me except for maintaining vehicles) so I tend to think that way to protect surfaces.

I hope your design, and my "enhancements" prove of some benefit to others.

[BMKal]

Certainly is a great idea. I’m keeping my eyes out for the bits to make one of these, including the intermediate rollers.