D2 Roof Load and GVM

[CJT]

Can anyone confirm the information I have found regarding max. loads for a discovery 2.

Max. Roof Load 50kg on-road, 30kg off-road.

So there goes putting a rooftop tent or even a rack and spare wheel up there. Unless that is for the standard roof rails and not a gutter mount system.

GVM 2,825kg Kerb weight 2,200kg Allowable payload 625kg.

By looking at this there is no way I can use my disco for family camping without taking a trailer, especially if I can not put a tent on the roof.

My initial intent was to put a Wind Cheater alloy rack on the roof with a rooftop tent, awning and extra spare.

Within vehicle, cargo barrier with divide and twin drawers (one for recovery gear and one for a slide out kitchen) Engel fridge and personal gear as well as 150litre replacement fuel tank and possibly a water tank under vehicle.

Then there is also additonal items like spotlights, bullbar, steel rims, heavier tyres etc.

My estimate on this with two adults and two children in the car all loaded up would be around 3,000kg give or take 100kg, well over the vehicle GVM.

My question is, does anyone have a similar setup on their vehicle?

If so, any idea on weight?

[Blknight.aus]

I think your math is a little out...

200kg for the adults
100kg for the kids
leave the standard type rubber on the standard rims (you can change rubber on ally rims with just tyrepliers)
40kg for the full engel
+60kg for the replacement fuel tank+the extra fuel it holds (assuming that your replacing the main tank and not adding another 150l tank)
theres 400kg of stuff you just cant get rid of

you now have 200kg left over

50Kg for a front bar with a bunch of lights
20kg for cloths (assuming just a 2 day trip)
30kg for tent and bedding

leaves you with 100kg

30kg for a basic kitchenette draw with a small gas cooker and sink
30kg for 20l of water
20kg for basic tools/recovery gear
20kg for the rest of the draws system

If you design the draws system correctly it will take care of the requirement for a cargo barrier. but you could swap out the 20kg of the draws system for the barrier.

and your 25kg underweight on the budget.

dont forget that the weight of a landy isnt the cut down weight quoted by some other companies but includes the spare, full fuel, and all the kit that comes with the vehicle.

I came in under 700kg over tare for the cape trip and I had 300l of diesel 40+l of water, engle, recovery gear, an advanced tool kit, air compressor, dual batteries 3 spare wheels, hi milers, HD steel split rims, oils, parts, swag, food, cookiung gear, tarps + me.

[CJT]

Thanks for the info.

Any idea on the roof loads and if you can put a rooftop tent up there etc.

[discotek]

Hi Chris

Took the D2 (2" lift, AT's on alloy) over the Simpson via the French line (East-West) last August.

Had a full roof rack (50kg) and a rooftop tent (45kg) and 2 gas bottles (5kg) and bull bag (10kg) on top.

No problem.

To keep under the GVM however, I left the rear draws (100kg) the rear seats approx (100 kg) and the muddies on steel wheels (an extra 100kg over 6 wheels) at home.

Regards

Discotek

[AndyRevill]

I've never had a problem keeping under the GVM (2 adults, 2 kids) buit the roof load is another issue. This was the subject of a protracted and heated argument between myself and LRA - the 50kg/30kg limit applies to gutter mounted roof racks according to LRA. Which basically means by the time you've put the rack up there you can carry a couple of bags of sugar and that's it :(

having said that we've used a rack and generally carry the second spare, gas bottle, chairs, a bag with sleeping bags, mats and some odds and ends. Personally I'm happy to do this than have to worry about a trailer.

cheers, Andy

[catch-22]

In regards to the roof load, can insurance refuse a claim if it is found that you have exceeded the 50kg limit (which from reading above sounds as if it includes the rack itself)...??

[xsm]

In regards to the roof load, can insurance refuse a claim if it is found that you have exceeded the 50kg limit (which from reading above sounds as if it includes the rack itself)...??

Most reputable insurance companies would only refuse a claim if they think that the overloaded roof contributed to the accident. They may also reduce a payout if additional damage is caused by the fact that the roof was overloaded.

It is highly likely that the maximum allowable roof load weight of 50kg's is more to do with vehicle stability rather than structural strength issues.

I know it's convenient to have the spare wheel and gas bottles up on the roof but these heavy items significantly change the point at which a vehicle will roll over. Half filled fuel and water containers are particularly dangerous as the load shifts at the slightest change of direction.

I only ever put the lightweight items such as the air beds, clothing, bedding etc up top. For a family of 5, even this stuff still exceeds 50kg's anyway.

Cheers
Martin

[catch-22]

There is no doubt it can take the weight. I usually have the 30 kg tent (a BlackWolf Turbo 300 PLUS), gas bottle, 4WD mats, sleeping bags and pillows in a Rhino bad and I stand on there (90 kgs) to pack it all with no issues. I have a defender 3/4 rack which spreads the weight over 6 legs.

There is a slight difference in stability but only very slight. And only at higher speeds. No where near dangerous, however..

[Urban Panzer]

Interesting topic this, always wondered on this myself when its stated at 50KG's and most roof tents way that much, my SD rack must way 30 KG's or more on its own!!

[Blknight.aus]

my full stop end of story opinion on roof loads.

DON'T

Apart from the extra wind drag sucking your fuel out of your tank and side gusts catching them and making you sway they put the COG up and shift it around. Then you have the whole problem of not getting into carparks or wiping them off on low branches or stabbing the tents (seen that once or twice)

the max weight is stipulated as a load evenly distributed around the center of the roof.

If you abide by the given limits you dont change the limit of the gradeability of the vehicle.

[alien]

Just to stir the posum,ops I mean add to the thread,

I have a full lentgh steped steel roof rack, 4 legs each side with braces to each pair (TJM).

On rack...Front (lower).. 4.5Kg gas bottle and holder, 20Ltr water (Full or empty only).
Rear.. 2 swags,shade cloth ground sheet, Oztent(3 man).
Side.. High lift and shovel.

Inside.. (timber shelf and cage combo),
Usual tools, 5Ltr oil, recovery gear,20Ltr water, stove, cooking gear, food, fridge, 2 sleeping bags and matres's, cloths(4 people 4 days),4 chairs, 1 table and day back pack(1st aid ect).

Now heres the sums..;)
Gross..shade short off 3ton.
front axle....1.3ton (Bull bar with no winch fitted(To go back on))
Rear axle.....1.96ton.

This was with 3 adults and 1 child w/end just gone.
Weight distribution feels good, Higher centere of gravity is noticable but only at highway speeds in corners(off road negligable but I drive to suit).
Only option to loose weight is to loose pasengers and cloths,beding, food and water to suit.( At 23 he should have his own Landy;)).

Cheers

[joel0407]

my full stop end of story opinion on roof loads.

DON'T

Apart from the extra wind drag sucking your fuel out of your tank and side gusts catching them and making you sway they put the COG up and shift it around. Then you have the whole problem of not getting into carparks or wiping them off on low branches or stabbing the tents (seen that once or twice)

the max weight is stipulated as a load evenly distributed around the center of the roof.

If you abide by the given limits you dont change the limit of the gradeability of the vehicle.

I completely agree however I see it as my best solution.

I'll be using 2 (prefer 3) cross bars, no heavy caged rack or anything. Mounting my roof top tent on top. I am only purchasing a cheap roof top tent simply because they are lighter. I only plan on touring the top end in the dry season so there is no chance of rain so I dont need any super heavy wear resistant, water proof thing. Just something to keep the mozzies out. I have checked some weights and most run aroung the 54kg mark, add maybe 4 - 6 kg for the bars and I should be able to keep the roof load under 60kg.

I'll load all the sleeping gear in the back to keep as much weight down as low as I can.

Happy Days.

[bob10]

I have a small basket, into which is put our 2 stretchers, tent and/or sides for the awning, and mother-in-law. works for me. Bob

[rstevensen]

this is us this year, on our way from Yunta to Arkaroola, Tradesman engineering roofrack with continous metal strip between all legs to spread load evenly across the gutter

[bob10]

I have to admit, sometimes I think a small 4x4 trailer is a better option, than a lot of weight up high, Bob

[schuy1]

If you are going to carry more than clothing and bedding up top get a trailer :) Having said that many many people do carry more than that up top and no problems.
A trailer will not add any more fuel use than a loaded rack and be a damn site easier to pack and unload:D These guys with 5x20l fuel and 3x 9kg gas bottles up top scare the heck outa me! sudden stop any1?
Cheers Scott

[joel0407]

If you are going to carry more than clothing and bedding up top get a trailer :) Having said that many many people do carry more than that up top and no problems.
A trailer will not add any more fuel use than a loaded rack and be a damn site easier to pack and unload:D These guys with 5x20l fuel and 3x 9kg gas bottles up top scare the heck outa me! sudden stop any1?
Cheers Scott

I have a resonably small trailer which started it's life as a 1.2m square crate. It used to be carried around in my box trailer to keep the dogs in. Then I figured I was towing the trailer around for nothing so I cut the springs of the trialer and welded them straight on the bottom of the crate. Then a roof was folded up. It's built pretty bloody well now and would be perfect to mount the roof top ten on top of the trailer rather than the vehicle but I am concerned about dust ingress into the roof top tent. At least on top of the vehicle it gets a clean air stream which is far from what it will get on the trailer.

I could use the extra space to carry stuff in the trailer though.

Happy Days.

[schuy1]

ROFL!! Adds another meaning to being in the dog house! :D But yes dust will get in with a trailer. Id put the tent on the roof and use the trailer for all the heavy stuff.
Cheers Scott

[weeds]

insurance wows aside

touring with a family of four or five means space is tight and roof racks become essential

i know there are a few that can travel on the bare minimum.........just have a look at all the 4wd's you pass when tourng, they are all fitted with roof rack loaded with gear, my bet is they are all probably exceeding the limits for the roof. yes you see the odd roll over sitting behind say the birdville servo but think about the thousands of other slightly overloaded rigs that return in one piece

i now have a camper trailer which means towing 1.2T around, prior tot he camper trailer i only did one extended trip, for this youwould cringe at the weight i had on the roof..........but i was aware of this and drove accordingly and when i return yes there was gear that i didn't even use for the whole trip, would i pack it again? probably would as you never know

soooo, i reckon there is a good chance you are going to exceed the manufacturers limits but so long as you keep it in check as much as you can.............get out there and explore this great country, i let a few kg's stop you

you wont really know what your GVM is unless you go across a weigh bridge.....otherwise its just a guess, i lucky i have a weigh bridge at work and regularly run mine arcoss it when returning from a trip

[joel0407]

ROFL!! Adds another meaning to being in the dog house! :D But yes dust will get in with a trailer. Id put the tent on the roof and use the trailer for all the heavy stuff.
Cheers Scott

I'd only consider taking the trailer if the tent was too heavy on the vehicle roof. Otherwise I'll fit everything in the vehicle.

Happy Days.