Safety specs on roof storage for county.

[3.9County]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone knows how susceptable to structural damage due to roof cargo a County would experience over a Defender.
I am aware that the County's have steel gutters as opposed to the aluminium Defender's. My 85 County has a full length steel galvinised roof rack with access ladder that already holds a sheet of marine ply, a spare wheel and the high lift jack.
I am considering attaching a roof tent that would weigh apporximately 75kg's to the already mentioned weight. I am aware that some rough corrigation for long periods with an overladen roof can affect roof structure.

Has anybody heard of or experienced anything to this description? if so some advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!:)

[camel_landy]

Technically, that's too much of a loading on the roof for a Defender...

...However, loads of people do it.

Some people suffer problems, others don't.

Everyone has an opinion of this, I personally prefer to keep weight off the roof.

Not much help I know but read the comments and draw your own conclusions (you might also want to do a quick search).

M

[isuzurover]

County roofs are much stronger than defender roofs.

However, it is best to keep weight down low. If it was me, I would be mounting the spare and HL jack down low.

[clean32]

2 wheels ( once had 4 ) canvas tent & poles, Tarp. no problems tends to wobble a bit on the road but you get used to it

[Blknight.aus]

spec weight for the roof has almost always been 150KG including the rack.....

I personally advocate that you should not have a roof rack. With the exception of a pair of the rino racks that unbolt from the gutter and a pair of stands that bolt to the front and rear chassis points for when you have to carry long loads like timber. Even then they should all be stowed inside the vehicle unless in use.

[weeds]

here is a pic of mine.....one does have to be aware of all the additional weight....

on my last trip i had 3 x 20L jerries, spare tyre and rim, 3 x swags, 2 x gas cylinders, awaning, solar panel plus a few other bits and pieces (fold out toilet, tarps, rubbish, garden hose, shovel)

[3.9County]

Hi guys,

Thankyou for the advice, I think due to some stories that I have read it may in fact be safer to tow a camper.

I enjoy off road driving tremendously, wouldnt want any eccess weight that is going to overburden the performance. All the lighter goods I think will be safe enough upon the roof, everything else I think will be stored down low.

Thankyou fella's for the advice. Ill be sure to share any mishaps or adventures I may encounter in the near future.

Cheers!:thumbsup:

[Reads90]

Technically, that's too much of a loading on the roof for a Defender...

...However, loads of people do it.


M

Even Land rover themselves if you look at the camel trophy trucks :):)

[OLR-067]

On my trip late last year I had a steel full length rack with gutter runners, a 55kg roof top tent, a steel storage box with only 10kg stored(Dry food stuffs) and 9kg gas bottle.It seemed ok, no signs i can find of damage.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/886.jpg

[cucinadio]

here is a pic of mine.....one does have to be aware of all the additional weight....

on my last trip i had 3 x 20L jerries, spare tyre and rim, 3 x swags, 2 x gas cylinders, awaning, solar panel plus a few other bits and pieces (fold out toilet, tarps, rubbish, garden hose, shovel)



:eek:

cheers

[3.9County]

Hey guys,

Thankyou for the pic! :)

Thats a really neat looking 110, I do have the added burden of the 120 litre gas tank that takes up alot of room across the rear tub.

Unfortunately I dont have the mounting pins on my bonnet like yours for the spare 2nd spare wheel. I may have to hunt some down I think.

Did you have to fit heavier springs to accomodate for the extra weight of the tent? Would you find any extra rear diff loading having the weight of the tent towards the back?

I have seen some 110's with roof tents fitted towards the front. I'm also wondering how this will affect the vehicles performance through beach sand?


Cheers.:)

[I Love My Landy!]

On my trip late last year I had a steel full length rack with gutter runners, a 55kg roof top tent, a steel storage box with only 10kg stored(Dry food stuffs) and 9kg gas bottle.It seemed ok, no signs i can find of damage.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/886.jpg

I agree with 3.9County, that is one niiiiiiiiiice lookin' County! :BigThumb:

[isuzurover]

On my trip late last year I had a steel full length rack with gutter runners, a 55kg roof top tent, a steel storage box with only 10kg stored(Dry food stuffs) and 9kg gas bottle.It seemed ok, no signs i can find of damage.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/886.jpg

That county is looking great. What ended up happening with the roof damage when it arrived?

[OLR-067]

Gday All

The roof...well after much banging, swearing and re-spray it ended ok.Can see a bit of wiggle if look hard.Will replace at some stage.yeah gas tank will limit the load area but you should be able to build around it.The bonnet moun t is just a series unit with 5mm off cut checkplate under it to help a bit.The county bonnets are a bit stronger built then later versions so it handle the weight ok.Should get a stage 1 bonnet if worried about it.I have 130 King springs F&R to deal with the weight and HD(cant remember brand(monroes?) shocks.Seemed to run ok,rear tops out unloaded but the springs have now softened up a bit so not too bad, should have went for Bilsteins though.Didn't find to much of a problem with weight although did do a hub seal but I expected that with 400000k and 23 years on it.As for sand no dramas as long as you remember the etra weight up top.

Cheers
Paul

[BRINDO75]

here are sum pics of my county roof rack and rear rack , this was how i had it setup up to cape york.


16321

16322

16323

[3.9County]

Hey cool pics and car, thats what its all about isn't it

[djam1]

Not sure I would recommend doing this but if you look at what the likes of Jack Jackson were doing the late 70s and early 80s in Africa.
They were running with 200 litres of fuel let alone other equipment on the roof rack of a Series.
It was always accepted that there would be structural damage it was simple on a 2a but the Series 3 usually cracked the windscreen frame.
Mind you 80 Kmh was the max speed