Thread: Show us ya roof racks for a D2

I think any decent roof rack would disregard the factory bars.

Maybe you could get a cage/basket thing for the factory bars.

I have heavy duty Rhino bars for mine but I don't have the factory bars or a basket. Just use them for carrying long things like timber for the house.

Gday Stevo,

I've got an ARB Defender 3/4 (1850x1350) rack sitting on Discovery legs.

I like the bar because the aesthetics suit the D2, it is steel, strong, larger than the ARB D2 rack. It is a multi person task taking it on/off, though I can do it by myself by swinging it from the carport roof using ratchet straps and truckies hitches - it is heavy. These days I just leave it on.

They also match with the Discovery rear door ladder

I have a Wind Cheetah from Dolium Pty Ltd, which is the same as the rackmaster sold by Opposite Lock.

Pros are its weight (all aluminium and very light), the leg clamps which lock onto the gutter very solidly, the mounting system which uses sliding bolt in a rail which is easy to adjust and also the fact that they are flat with no side which makes it easy to load. This brand come in 2.2 metre or 1.4 metre size.

Cons - price? Like most roof racks your up for about $1300. Also, if you want one you have to go either through Opposite Lock or Outback 4wd. Neither which set you on fire with service.

The people at Dolium though are very helpful. They sorted mine out when they sent the wrong rack to me a week before my Simpson Trip. They couriered a new one and gave me a tyre holder for free.

The amount of weight you can carry isnt really limited by the rack so much, but more the capacity of the roof. The Disco cant carry a huge weight, so a light rack is really important. The Wind Cheetah is very strong and light. The girlfriend and myself can put it on ourselves.

I have attached a photo...

Angus

Hi Steve
I dont think a roofrack is really suitable in your case.
Get yourself a decent trailer with 16" wheels.It will go where the D2 will go plus the kids can throw in stuff like push bikes etc and the Mrs can take the kitchen sink!!!!.You will still fit under low branches on tracks and wont have the danger on too much weight up top.
You will just have to learn how to back it up(Im sure you posted once that you couldnt reverse a trailer)
Andrew

Thanks for the replies...I have just been checking out Rhino Racks...any thoughts....thought pretty good as can have roof racks and add a luggage tray....instructional video looked pretty easy..even for a dunce like me . I hear what ya saying Landy Andy, and on some trips would take the trailer ( and yes you remember correctly ) for tents, bikes etc. But as I am looking at getting an Oztent and was saying going with just myself and 3 of my children, throwing the tent up on a roof rack would be easier than putting it inside the disco.

Then there is the other scenario...if we have all 5 children together and going away...say to Coffs for a non camping holiday....then would need a roof rack/luggage carrier and bag to put bags etc as would be no room in the disco. So I guess I am trying to cover a couple of different scenario's dependant on who I am going camping/ 4WDing with.

Now speaking of trailers...where could one get a spare rim?? I have taken this to Fraser before I owned it and mangled a wheel very badly....skull dragged it across half of Fraser before realising there was an issue...long story. Also Slunnie you have a steel rack and Angus a aluminium one...from what the one I am looking at with Rhino, load rating is around 100kg...is that enough?? Appreciate the info here gents

Regards

Stevo

Stevo

You never really want to put much up on the roof cause the disco already has a slightly higher centre of gravity. I only hever had a single tyre, bedding and the oztent up on the roof rack.

The rack I have is just the right size for the oztent BTW.

Angus

Originally Posted by stevo68

Also Slunnie you have a steel rack and Angus a aluminium one...from what the one I am looking at with Rhino, load rating is around 100kg...is that enough?? Appreciate the info here gents

Stevo, I would have thought that 100kg would be enough. Well.... it has been for me at least. The stuff that I usually put up top is typically light and bulky, things like swags etc. The exception may be a spare tyre and rim.

I would have thought that the Rhino would be good. I recall being told (by ARB mind you) that steel rigid bars are fine, though the Alumium ones need to be jointed and flexible so that they don't crack - they were recommending ones like the Rhino that allow a bit over movement as the chassis flexs, rather than the rigid alloy ones constructed like the ARB steel bar.

Another option may also be the use of a roof basket. These should be light and slippery through the air. I don't think that I'd put a spare tyre or rooftop tent in it though.

Stevo68,
Another thought is do what i did & fit the factory extended roof rails. U can then buy another cross bar (singular) from roof carrier systems & then fit the rhino cage/aluminium rack. its all not that heavy & when u finish u have the original low roof rails if u want to store the cage/rack.
Just another thought for you to consider