Roof Racks: What do YOU want.

**clubagreenie** · 7th August 2013, 09:56 AM

So I've been looking around and while I've had the time, but not the funds, plenty of racks come and go but never at a reasonable price range.

So having the time and access to a great metal shop, where as long as I help the owner out I have free reign of the place. So I want to know, what are the key features that D2 owners would want in a rack. Be as fanciful, esoteric or basic as you like. From this I'll combine it all and come up with say 3 designs (was thinking a full length & modular half (rear) & half front to fit both std rails, system legs and that could attach to a rear half to make it modular.

So I'll start with a basic description of what I was thinking in models & features:

Models.

Full length; Follows roof lines or fully length flat (suit roof top tents etc).
Half Length - Front; Sitting at either same height as rear (to make full length flat) or same dropped height as the stepped full length.
Half Length - Rear; Sitting at same height as the full length.

Either way for the height, the mounts will be a separate item to the rack and height would be able to be changed for the front section with a simple addition of an extended plate.

Features.

Floor; choice of mesh or tubular. Select sizing of mesh or combine different sizing depending on what you plan to carry.
Mounts - Full Length Rack; I like a full length rail (8-10mm hollow sq or round) sitting in the gutter with 4 vertical legs and clamps.
Mounts - Half Rack - Front; It'll actually be made in two pieces (L & R, front pair/rear pair). It'll make packaging smaller and keep the unit modular. Height options for the front mounts would be to have it sit below the factory rail height, on the original rails (with or without cross bars) or above these.
Mounts - Half Rack - Rear; As for the fronts, the rear corner will wrap around the corner giving fore/aft location and holding.
Accessory mounts; Long handled shovel, hi-lift jack (but prefer the weight of this lower), jerrycan, spare wheel (or tyre only) holders. Was thinking of provision for maxtracks etc to be slung under the front of the rack. I've looked at the Grating FRP stuff and it's very HD but not too heavy. It's thinner than the moulded variants and two or maybe even three sets could be underslung on either the original rails.
Awning; Provision for an awning to be attached to either side of the rack. Looking at along the side of the front section and the legs of the rear. Again, keeping it as modular as possible, it would only require replacement of the mount leg to change from std to awning. This could be done on an exchange basis so once the awning mounting was known the mounts could be made to suit, ship out and swap over and return std mounts for refinishing and reuse.
Load carrying; The top edge of the front of the rack would be at the same height as the floor at the rear to support any long loads carried.
Work Light; Provision for a light to be supported on an extendable tube as part of the rack, plus possibly a coiled cord so that the light could be relocated to another point if required.

That's all I can come up with for now. List you thoughts and ideas, I'll be making my own by the looks of things and see what happens from there. Would like to keep a full length unit at around $800- or so, which on paper is doable. It's not the cheapest but you shouldn't be left wanting for anything either.

**Barefoot Dave** · 7th August 2013, 12:58 PM

G'Day Mate, good to see you have a project going to keep yourself busy!

Are you asking what people want to buy from you or just suggestions on design?
If you are going to be selling them, Incisors requirement is to get a Vendor subscription before Market research.
Fair enough, I say. That's why I am a Vendor now before turning over a buck.
Hope this helps.

**clubagreenie** · 7th August 2013, 01:49 PM

Basically just looking for ideas. There's nothing there that really does it all, or can be manipulated to do so. Plus I'm not sure if I need a full rack, or if I'll sometimes need the full size. Also What's the capacity of the std rails (the weight of the cage may overload it as is).

If it works out, passes my own on road tests then I'll look at producing them. I've looked at the Safety Devices type copies available from somewhere in Vic, but the guy never got back to me after a discussion about stocks, and a half rack was $800+ and doesn't have the flexibility I'm planning.

Now, since you have a D2, what would you like to see in one?

**Disco Muppet** · 7th August 2013, 01:51 PM

Lightweight, strong, and doesn't change the profile of the roof too much.
I.e the front runner wind cheater one.

**Barefoot Dave** · 7th August 2013, 03:48 PM

No worries.

What Muppet says. I'd like alloy, contoured profile to get into carparks.
No side rails, just flat sheet or mesh with tie-down points.

Not that I am in the market, a Perentie has plenty of storage space

**R2D2** · 7th August 2013, 04:32 PM

You should check out the Black Widow roof rack.
Strongest rack i have seen to date. Made to suit Disco's as well.
Great stuff and made here! They weigh nothing and strong as. I could stand up on the top and not have a worry. (110kgs) Not the cheapest but by far the stongest IMHO. I spoke to them about a couple of custom mods and they were happy to do so at obviously extra cost.
I have their twin draws with fridge slide and couldnt be happier.

Aluminium Roof Racks

Cheers
Todd

**SiddersC** · 9th August 2013, 05:35 PM

I have a rhino pioneer on modified 230mm legs
I like the flat low profile of it
Strong light and versatile

**Hendrik** · 10th August 2013, 06:37 PM

I have an ARB half rack which is overly heavy and just too small. As far as roof racks go for the D2, I only prefer one style and that is the Safety Devices one. Nice and sleek and hugs the roof line. My D2 doesn't have roof rails so could get a lower one. Not a fan of the ones that are too far off the roof. The only problem with them is that they are heavy. If you can make a lightweight (alloy) one SD type one at the right price (SD ones are $2k+ delivered) I would buy it in a heartbeat. Provision for a rear work light, 4 front roof lights, additional spare wheel carrier at the rear and shovel and high lift holder would be ideal.

**Mudguard** · 11th August 2013, 11:35 PM

I have been thinking about manufacturing my own as well.

Ex aircraft metalworker but don't have the workshop at the mo.

I would make one that is flat with side rails beside the rack, no side rails above the level of the floor, so you can still use rope to ties stuff on. I was planning on trying to use the existing roof bars as I installed the rail extensions but not sure how much weight they can handle..... It would be a 3/4 length.. Ie long enough to put some roof mounted spotties in front but below the rack floor as I think the contour of the roof makes this a perfect spot for some lights. Also tie down points so you can easily strap timber etc down but still be able to slide stuff on and off without it being caught up. A couple of mounts at the back for a rear work light, a pivoting UHF aerial mount so the aerial can be laid down when in town etc. hmm what else.....

A hinged front wind deflector. So when you need it you just pull it up and hey presto. When you don't need it just keep it clipped down flat.

Gotta start putting something down on paper and try a few ideas out.

**gavinwibrow** · 11th August 2013, 11:53 PM

Just to be different, I have the extended roof rails with 5 cross bars. The bars dont quite line up "horizontally" but I can tie down most things eg ladders, timber etc.

I too am not sure how much total weight can be carried with the double set of rails

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