Roof Rack advice, please.

[MrKeswick16]

Evening,


Would some of you experienced with, Rino rack, Tradesman and Front Runner platforms, please let me know if you needed to adjust your door at all to fit the gutter mounts?

I know vehicles are all different, just wanted an idea if any of the brands required a door adjustment.


Many Thanks
Mr Keswick

[Robmacca]

I've got the 2.7mtr Frontrunner rack on my Defender - No problems with doors at all - no adjustment req'd

[MrKeswick16]

Thank you Rob, appreciated. Have you been happy with Front Runner? Any issues that have arisen? I’m looking to purchase one for my 90 shortly, thank you.

[rick130]

I had Rhino bars on a 130CC and no interference with the doors.

[MrKeswick16]

Thank you Rick.

[Robmacca]

Thank you Rob, appreciated. Have you been happy with Front Runner? Any issues that have arisen? I’m looking to purchase one for my 90 shortly, thank you.

No, not really... just be aware that the supports/slats run horizontally where as some run vertically. This may or may not matter depending on how u strap gear to your roofrack

[MrKeswick16]

Thank you Rob...... Last questions 😀. Did you get the tall or shorter legs? Is there sufficient clearance for your hands to at least use a spanner underneath the rack? (without pulling It apart).

Cheers

[Mello]

I've got the Rhino pioneer platform.
No issues with doors or the need to adjust them.

[MrKeswick16]

Thanks Mello

[Robmacca]

Thank you Rob...... Last questions 😀. Did you get the tall or shorter legs? Is there sufficient clearance for your hands to at least use a spanner underneath the rack? (without pulling It apart).

Cheers

I got the taller ones as I wanted to be able to store my folding table under the rack. Just made up my own system which slides the table in from the rear of the rack... works a treat :)

[inken_dave]

I have the ARB unit.....Just to make the comment.......The Landrover roof is not strong enough to really load it up. My experience has been that with my Puma 2013 110, the ARB unit is quite heavy, and now the roof moves(becomes loose, breaking the water-proofing) on rough roads etc.

It improves the look greatly, but I wanted to use it for useful loads. We have done some large trips using the roof rack.....In the end I wish I hadn't!

This has been my experience at least!

[jon3950]

The Landrover roof is not strong enough to really load it up. My experience has been that with my Puma 2013 110, the ARB unit is quite heavy, and now the roof moves(becomes loose, breaking the water-proofing) on rough roads etc.

I think this is a very important consideration. The Defender body likes to move around - a lot. Putting a heavy, rigid rack on the roof restricts its ability to flex with the rest of the body. This can lead to cracking and breaking of the seal between the roof and the rest of the body as it tries to move around.

I actually think the best option for a Defender is a set of bars. These do very little to restrict movement, as long as whatever you have loaded them with does not tie them together too rigidly - eg a rooftop tent.

If bars don't suit your purpose I would go for as flexible a rack as possible. Using this logic, I went for a Rhino Pioneer Platform. I like these because the legs are plastic, so can flex a little. Also the single bolt connection between the leg and the rack allows some movement as well. The downside is you need to keep an eye on all the connections to make sure they don't vibrate loose, as mine have out near Mt Dare. Prior to this I just had a set of bars and by adding a basket these suited 90% of my use. The main reason I replaced them with a rack was that I felt it was easier to carry jerry cans on it.

I also considered the Front Runner rack. I think its lightweight, bolted construction would probably give a similar result. My final decision came down to price - I already had a lot of bits for the Rhino.

Cheers,
Jon

[MrKeswick16]

Thank you Rob, Dave and Jon, all good information.

I have decided on the Front Runner........I certainly won’t be putting heavy loads on it, general storage and Jerry cans and on occasions a Hardshell Rooftop tent.

Cheers