Thread: Roof Load

Originally Posted by d2dave

I know this topic has probably been flogged to death but would like others opinions.

Having spent about 3 hours researching this topic, I was unable to find an answer. I suspect that there isn't one.

RAVE lists roof rack load at 50 kg on road and 30 kg when off road. I was talking to someone about this and he suggested that this was probably for the factory roof rails.

My bare roof rack weighs 40 KG, so based on the 30 kg's I am already 10 over before I put anything on it.

So I am interested to know what total weight others have had up top. I run a roof top tent which also weighs 40kg for a total of 80 Kg.

I am doing a Simpson desert crossing latter in the year and was considering taking the RTT plus a spare(tyre only, no rim) and 20 litres of fuel on the roof.

The fuel can be transferred from the roof after a day and a half driving, removing 20 Kg early in the trip.

Won't help you make a legal decision, but when I was a little bit younger, we did the Canning Stock Route in our D2a with twin narrow roof baskets attached with U bolts to the standard extended/full length roof bars. On top was a RV4 tent and self inflating mattress on one side, and on the other side 80L of diesel in 20L containers. Nothing broke, nor bent, to everyone's amazement.

Originally Posted by d2dave

I know this topic has probably been flogged to death but would like others opinions.

Having spent about 3 hours researching this topic, I was unable to find an answer. I suspect that there isn't one.

RAVE lists roof rack load at 50 kg on road and 30 kg when off road. I was talking to someone about this and he suggested that this was probably for the factory roof rails.

My bare roof rack weighs 40 KG, so based on the 30 kg's I am already 10 over before I put anything on it.

So I am interested to know what total weight others have had up top. I run a roof top tent which also weighs 40kg for a total of 80 Kg.

I am doing a Simpson desert crossing latter in the year and was considering taking the RTT plus a spare(tyre only, no rim) and 20 litres of fuel on the roof.

The fuel can be transferred from the roof after a day and a half driving, removing 20 Kg early in the trip.

Dave when you are talking about diesel, and as you said, it is going in next day, this is minor depending on the set up underneath.

Have a rack and the Kings Hardtop RRT (around 80kg itself) and have never felt this was overburdening the rack, they are not distorted or seeing undue strain on them even with the initial racks to get them home.

Initially had higher and only 3 (three) struts and crap rails and others commented on the fact the sway on the RTT was noticeable, once I put on the smaller struts and A RACK which is at least 40kg's, along with the RTT have had no issues at all. Never at all had the thought that the RTT was a problem.

The other point is that the roof rack has four (4) struts rather the rails three, this has to be about the distribution rather a singular point of stress on the rail.



20220305_150941.jpg


Lower the weight and distribute the load evenly...


20220429_164621.jpg

I run an ARB Defender 3/4 rack on my Disco2 and it has been everywhere without any problems. Loaded up for Cape York, numerous Fraser Islands etc. My one comment would be to bring the weight forward on the rack if possible as it takes the twitchiness out of the handling which a rearward load induces.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I run an ARB Defender 3/4 rack on my Disco2 and it has been everywhere without any problems. Loaded up for Cape York, numerous Fraser Islands etc. My one comment would be to bring the weight forward on the rack if possible as it takes the twitchiness out of the handling which a rearward load induces.

What size rails are you running, by the way thought the 3/4 was wider than the D2.

Originally Posted by RRT

What size rails are you running, by the way thought the 3/4 was wider than the D2.

I’m not sure how the width varies, I thought they were the same, but it looks correct though. I’m running the Defender rack and Disco2 legs and it clears the regular factory roof rails. I’m pretty sure when I bought it, ARB had to buy 2 sets of Disco2 legs for the installation as the D2 rack takes 4 legs, where the Defender 3/4 (1850mm) rack takes 6.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I’m not sure how the width varies, I thought they were the same, but it looks correct though. I’m running the Defender rack and Disco2 legs and it clears the regular factory roof rails. I’m pretty sure when I bought it, ARB had to buy 2 sets of Disco2 legs for the installation as the D2 rack takes 4 legs, where the Defender 3/4 (1850mm) rack takes 6.

The rack i have is also off a Defender with no idea of the brand, and the space against the standard roof rails is marginal but they clear them, alright there is a little pressure on the drivers side. The much tighter margin is not a problem rather a benefit. Trying to remember who has the blue D2 around the city here but they also have the smaller rails they sit sweet.

Could have them clear a 'little' bit more with adjustment but they sit pretty well as they are. When I eventually put in linear actuators, only two hopefully, but that is probably sometime late in 2025, will do the necessary adjustments.

We regularly have 80kg on top and at GVM. With SLS and ACE you don’t notice it.

Originally Posted by RRT

Could have them clear a 'little' bit more with adjustment but they sit pretty well as they are. When I eventually put in linear actuators, only two hopefully, but that is probably sometime late in 2025, will do the necessary adjustments.

What is a linear actuator?