low-line alloy roof rack

[Michael2]

Here are some pics of my new alloy roof rack.

The aim was to keep it low, with no sides, so I could put a wider load on. The mesh floor provides plenty of securing sites. The section at the front is for mounting lights and aerials, it could not be extended to the very ends, as there is a mount for a remote control spot light on the LHS that needed to be cleared.

The rack has 8 wide legs for distributing the weight, but no bottom rail, to allow for better flex. It's made from 1 sheet of expanded mesh 2.4 x 1.6m, with a 32mm tube, which is ideal for tying ropes onto.



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/10/90.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/10/91.jpg

(above) Along each side there is an annexe mounting extrusion, so I can get some canvas or a plastic tarp with a cord threaded along one end to make a cheap annexe.

(below) There are 4 small tubes along each side rail (on top) where I can insert fibreglass tent poles and create a dome roof for another piece of canvas (with or without a floor - not sure yet). This will give me a roof top tent that can be rolled into a small bundle and weigh less than 5kg.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/10/92.jpg

[loanrangie]

Great work it will be very versatile the way you have made it.:thumbsup:

[awabbit6]

Looks good!
I like the tent pole idea. Simple roof-top tent and rack in one!

[MinniTheMoocha]

Hey Michael,

The photos don't quite show what it actually looks like.

Can you post another photo with the overall look.

Thanks

[Michael2]

I'll need to get a full side shot tomorrow, but here's another one.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/10/84.jpg

[nickoff]

Great looking rack Michael, have you thought about going into production?

nick:BigThumb:

[Michael2]

Great looking rack Michael, have you thought about going into production?

nick:BigThumb:

The guy who made it promised not to make another one :(. It cost under $700 (inc Tax). I got 2 quotes and they were both within $20. I supplied the annexe rails, as I had them in the shed, but they're not expensive anyway. The holes for the tent were a late idea and they were done for free, hence not originally quoted.

Anyone wanting to is welcome to copy it.

[DirtyDawg]

first time I have said this to a guy "Nice Rack":D:D











first time I haven't been slapped for it too:D

[Michael2]

Weight - 25kg :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Length - 2.4m + the bar work

Width - 1.2m + the bar work (sorry I said 1.6 above - oops).

[Redback]

Looks good, nice and light too.

Baz.

[Michael2]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/241.jpg

I got this Hikers Fly, complete with ropes & pegs for $25 from Anaconda (similar one for $200 at Kathmandu). My MIL sewed one end over a couple of centimeters and I passed a cord through, turning it into an annexe. It's quiet in the breeze (so better than a tarp) and it folds down to a small pouch, so a lot lighter than a tarp too.

I was at Rays Tent City the other week (Nunawading store) and I noticed that they had a plastic C- channel for an annexe that could be cut to length. The channel is a small and a larger C section back to back, and one of the Cs clips onto the gutter on the side of the roof and the other onto the annexe, so you don't need the aluminium extrusion or a roof rack. it was pretty cheap, but I can't remember how much.

[Michael2]

I don't know why the photos aren't linking any longer, as they're still on the same photobucket location, so here's the link again :

roofrack pictures by konstantinoufamily - Photobucket (http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa258/konstantinoufamily/roofrack/)

Someone PMed me about them, so here they are again for everyone's benefit.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/11/1117.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/02/1242.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/945.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/945.jpg