DIY Roof Rack

**nismine01** · 13th October 2014, 02:25 PM

Looking at all the photos they are all missing what I think should be, for me anyway. I would be using a solid full length rail in the gutter to spread the down load all the way along, rather than point mounts, and use insertion rubber strip to keep it off the gutter.

I have been giving it a fair bit of thought for some time but I have not yet done anything, but;

1 Cross rails catch the wind causing drag, therefore the less cross rails = less drag to this end I would have minimum cross rails and run length wise rungs probably with just two cross rails (apart from the front and back).

2 Sides are good but front and rear also = drag, I am thinking adjustable slides that use leverage on the length wise rails as load retainers, they would work on the same principal as tie down tracks in the backs of some utes.

3 Keep the height as low as possible at the back and restrict length at the front because of the roof height difference.

Like I said earlier, I've been thinking about it for some time, I don't know if it is feasible or not?

Mike

**Spel1** · 13th October 2014, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by nismine01

I would be using a solid full length rail in the gutter to spread the down load all the way along, rather than point mounts....

This bit is going to be tricky, its not a straight line by any means. It's been done I know, but even the slightest curve over that distance with home workshop equipment can be a pain. With mine I set the front and rear supports, then the centre one as its a fair bit different. The crossrails on mine are only 10mm from the centre rise of the roof, lots of curve there too - important for me was to maintain a straight line platform to carry some heavy stuff - steel lengths etc. With these 6 points though, its been well loaded and no sign of stress.

**donh54** · 13th October 2014, 04:35 PM

I had a Falcon panel van in a previous life with a rack that came with full length gutter rails. I ended up cutting them down, because they couldn't seem to sit straight.
The idea is good, but it's a bit like trying to level a coffee table

Still very interested to see how it turns out.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AULRO mobile app

**loanrangie** · 13th October 2014, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Rick1970

This is what I ended up with. Still not 100% happy with it and may make a few mods to it later.

I did add a few extra threaded mounting tabs while I was going. Plan is to have a jerry can holder, gas bottle holder and holder for 2 x 10L water containers that can be simply bolted in when needed.

Happy with the overall weight, as I can easily pick it up by myself.

Nice job, looks like a bought one - wanna do one for me

.

**Fausto79** · 14th October 2014, 01:02 PM

just FYI this is the one I have. hopefully give you some ideas. i bought this off some guy on gumtree. was that greyish colour and chipped as shown mounted, so i painted it black to look better. still not mounted though. need someone strong and tall to help me.

this is before i painted it when i first bought it. i like the look, i kinda wish it was a little bit more low profile though. i was thinking of lowering it but in the end opted against it as i dont have the time and need it mounted soon for a trip away

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...ing-holes.html

and the attached pics are now.

once i mount it ill post a couple more pics fyi

and it has the solid bar all along the gutter

**Rick1970** · 14th October 2014, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Nice job, looks like a bought one - wanna do one for me

.

Still not finished this one as yet......

Then there is the sliders......and prob a new rear bar...

**loanrangie** · 14th October 2014, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Fausto79

just FYI this is the one I have. hopefully give you some ideas. i bought this off some guy on gumtree. was that greyish colour and chipped as shown mounted, so i painted it black to look better. still not mounted though. need someone strong and tall to help me.

this is before i painted it when i first bought it. i like the look, i kinda wish it was a little bit more low profile though. i was thinking of lowering it but in the end opted against it as i dont have the time and need it mounted soon for a trip away

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...ing-holes.html

and the attached pics are now.

once i mount it ill post a couple more pics fyi

and it has the solid bar all along the gutter

I wouldn't butcher it to lower the profile, looks good as is.

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