Defender gutters - cracking

[Scallops]

I'm starting to think I might remove my roof rack - my gutters have hairline cracks which I think might be due to the rack. LR are fixing it this time - but won't do so when I'm out of warranty.

In saying this, I've seen many Defenders with similar gutters - some without racks.

Anyone else noticed that Defender gutters are pretty weak? Do you think cracking in the paint will lead to corrosion issues?

[Psimpson7]

Scallops, on mine I have cracking from the weight of the roof tent, but I think its in the sealer on the gutters and I am not too worried about it on mine.

How muh weight have you had on it.

Defenders have a very low roof weight limit

[Scallops]

Thanks Pete.

My roof hasn't seen much weight. The rack is reported to weigh 22kg. My awning is 12kg. My tent is 20kg. My camp chairs are, say 6kg.

So say 60kg max.

There were some hairline cracks at the edge of the roof where it joins the gutters too.

[harry]

it probably is only the sealant, shouldn't be a worry.

[Scallops]

it probably is only the sealant, shouldn't be a worry.

But I also have cracks in the actual roof just above the junction where it joins the gutters - is there sealant under the roof paint?

[weeds]

geez....i wonder how my gutters are still in place, i don't dare look;)

[Greylandy]

I'm starting to think I might remove my roof rack - my gutters have hairline cracks which I think might be due to the rack. LR are fixing it this time - but won't do so when I'm out of warranty.

In saying this, I've seen many Defenders with similar gutters - some without racks.

Anyone else noticed that Defender gutters are pretty weak? Do you think cracking in the paint will lead to corrosion issues?

Even racks or loads under 50kg will cause hairline cracks in the gutter paint. I've had three Defenders, all with expedition full length racks and they all featured minor cracks in the gutter paint. The hairline cracks are inevitable and should'nt cause any serious corrosion.

The gutters are actually very strong and can take a lot more weight than stated in the manual. Most Defenders in Africa are kitted to a certain standard. You seldom see them without expedition roof racks with tents, jerry's and other **** on the roof. Not something I would recommend but if there were issues with gutters not being able to handle those loads ... people would simply stop loading them to the rafters.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/10/108.jpg

[weeds]

hey dan

i was thinking on the way home.....yes apart from wondering if my roof was a bout to cave in that from memory you roof rack attaches in three differant places each side

pretty sure there has been discussion on here about the benifits of a full gutter mount system i.e. a piece of steel running the full length of the gutter to spread the load evenly

just a thought

this is how mine is set up

[The ho har's]

Even racks or loads under 50kg will cause hairline cracks in the gutter paint. I've had three Defenders, all with expedition full length racks and they all featured minor cracks in the gutter paint. The hairline cracks are inevitable and should'nt cause any serious corrosion.

The gutters are actually very strong and can take a lot more weight than stated in the manual. Most Defenders in Africa are kitted to a certain standard. You seldom see them without expedition roof racks with tents, jerry's and other **** on the roof. Not something I would recommend but if there were issues with gutters not being able to handle those loads ... people would simply stop loading them to the rafters.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/10/108.jpg


what a great looking picture...is there any 130's in there...can't tell



Mrs ho har:angel:

[PAT303]

I thought the same thing Mrs ho har. Pat

[C H T]

Even racks or loads under 50kg will cause hairline cracks in the gutter paint. I've had three Defenders, all with expedition full length racks and they all featured minor cracks in the gutter paint. The hairline cracks are inevitable and should'nt cause any serious corrosion.

The gutters are actually very strong and can take a lot more weight than stated in the manual. Most Defenders in Africa are kitted to a certain standard. You seldom see them without expedition roof racks with tents, jerry's and other **** on the roof. Not something I would recommend but if there were issues with gutters not being able to handle those loads ... people would simply stop loading them to the rafters.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/10/108.jpg

Great Photo

C H T

[weeds]

what a great looking picture...is there any 130's in there...can't tell



Mrs ho har:angel:


I thought the same thing Mrs ho har. Pat


Great Photo

C H T

that pic of greylandy's is really helping out;)

i think i can see crack in the rof of the 1st and 4th landy's....

[p38arover]

pretty sure there has been discussion on here about the benifits of a full gutter mount system i.e. a piece of steel running the full length of the gutter to spread the load evenly

this is how mine is set up

I agree. My County was the same.

[dmdigital]

Scallops, what brand of rack weighs 22kg's?
I've been looking at getting a Hannibal and even they are 40kg's.

Can you post pic's of the cracks.

[Scallops]

Scallops, what brand of rack weighs 22kg's?
I've been looking at getting a Hannibal and even they are 40kg's.

Can you post pic's of the cracks.

It's a 2.0m Opposite Lock RackMaster - check some of the pics I've posted - my truck is in at the dealers until next week getting all these issues repaired so I'll post some pics when it returns - although not of the cracks as they will have been repaired. ;)

I have heard varying reports about a full length foot mount for roof racks - half the people you talk to say a full length foot restricts roof flex and makes the situation worse - the other half say it's the way to go. Who knows? :confused:

[dmdigital]

It's a 2.0m Opposite Lock RackMaster - check some of the pics I've posted - my truck is in at the dealers until next week getting all these issues repaired so I'll post some pics when it returns - although not of the cracks as they will have been repaired. ;)

I have heard varying reports about a full length foot mount for roof racks - half the people you talk to say a full length foot restricts roof flex and makes the situation worse - the other half say it's the way to go. Who knows? :confused:
I knew I'd seen pic's of your rack but thought it easier to ask;)

I know what you mean about the full length rail support, its a very unresolved question. My preference is for the Hannibal because of the longitudinal luggage rails and having see dullbird and muddmech's one I was very impressed with it. The RackMaster would be my second choice.

[extreme]

hi Scallops
i've got rubber between the gutters and where the roofrack fixes to it. This is to dampen any vibrations, i haven't noticed any cracks. I'll be going on CCCCC to sundown national park. I can show it to you then.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Hairline cracks in the gutter are not normally anything to worry about. There is a lot of putty and paint laying in there which does move as the rack settles into the car.

The thing to worry more about is the putty UNDER the gutter and above the top of the door pillar cracking. This normally occurs when people over-tighten the clamps that hold the rack onto the gutter, thus pulling the gutter up and away from the rest of the car.

[p38arover]

I have heard varying reports about a full length foot mount for roof racks - half the people you talk to say a full length foot restricts roof flex and makes the situation worse - the other half say it's the way to go. Who knows? :confused:

Hmm, good point!

[The ho har's]

hi Scallops
i've got rubber between the gutters and where the roofrack fixes to it. This is to dampen any vibrations, i haven't noticed any cracks. I'll be going on CCCCC to sundown national park. I can show it to you then.

you are not down as a definate yet!!!! please do & book would like to catch up with you guys again:D


Mrs ho har:angel:

[extreme]

we are definate, we just got to pay and confirm to Col Coleman:)

[Captain_Rightfoot]

On my last trip we had problems with the roof racks coming off over big bumps. We run with a roof pod, which does get some stuff in it but it is relatively light by the standards of some people and would be within the rated roof load.

However the problem was that the gutter is stronger where it is supported than in other places. If you pick the points immediately above the pillars it doesn't move, but in the middle of the door gap I managed to work out it was flexing enough to allow the roof rack to pop off. :eek:

Obviously the more mounting points you have the better. I'm going to re-arrange my setup to have the bars over the hard points for the next trip.

The cracking that you see in the sealant is nothing. It's just they paint the sealant and obviously it moves under the paint and cracks.

I had my roof crack across the join between the front and back halves. They fixed that, but covered the whole car in overspray (the Bump Shop). Watch that with them.

[Greylandy]

I knew I'd seen pic's of your rack but thought it easier to ask;)

I know what you mean about the full length rail support, its a very unresolved question. My preference is for the Hannibal because of the longitudinal luggage rails and having see dullbird and muddmech's one I was very impressed with it. The RackMaster would be my second choice.


http://www.greylandy.com/oldsite/images/roof21.jpg

http://www.greylandy.com/oldsite/images/roof23.jpg

[Scallops]

Thanks Greylandy - but as I say - there does seem to be disagreement as to the benefit of this full rail system. You have admitted yourself that all your Defenders have had cracked gutters!

[Greylandy]

Thanks Greylandy - but as I say - there does seem to be disagreement as to the benefit of this full rail system. You have admitted yourself that all your Defenders have had cracked gutters!

Indeed, but I firmly believe that any half or full size rack will cause hairline cracks in the gutter paint, with or without a supporting rail. My previous rack was a Safety Devices one, they don't use the full length gutter support. As with the Hannibal rack it also resulted in a few hairline cracks around the mounting legs.


http://www.greylandy.com/oldsite/images/rr1.jpg

The rackmaster is probably the lightest on the market and if you don't overload it, I doubt you will have any issues with the cracks becoming more serious or causing corrosion issues.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I wouldn't worry about cracked paint, but I would worry about cracking the roof with the more sturdy racks.

I used to work for Telstra Fleet and we had a number of Troopies with roof racks that cracked the roof. The bodies move around on these cars and a rigid rack can cause problems.

I haven't heard of this happening on a Defender, though.