Thread: Exceeding Roof Rack Weight?

Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

The Front runner slimline bolts direct into the roof tracks. Base weight is about 35kg. Aluminium and very strong in construction.

Is there anyone in Melbourne who has one of these fitted, and would be happy for me to have a 5 minute look at it to take measurements?

Originally Posted by CSBrisie

Anyone noted the article in latest 4x4 Australia? LR put three cars in a tour that went across the Bight. One D4 had the LR Expo Rack with:


6 jerry cans
1 spare wheel and tyre
2 swags
and 2 max trax


Whats that...150kg plus?? And that was a LR Australia Car.....!


cheers

Let's not let safety get in the way of looking cool


Steven

PS I like the Rhino Platform, though I'm concerned about strength of its mounting legs.

The Platform attaches to roof tracks using (plastic?) legs - it seems that they're the same legs Rhino uses to attach roof bars. Will those legs hold weight of 2 adults, plus weight of roof tent itself?

Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

The Front runner slimline bolts direct into the roof tracks. Base weight is about 35kg. Aluminium and very strong in construction.

ADMIRAL, yes, that's what was thinking, though from what I saw on their website it seems that this rack attaches using its own proprietary legs (thus requiring me to remove the factory rails). Whilst I'm not totally opposed to doing this, it's a hassle and creates a need for me to store the rails somewhere. I'd love to just bolt it straight on to the factory rails. Do you know what else is required to do that - any special screws, brackets, spacers, etc?

Thanks!

Steven

One of the advantages of the rhino system is that you can get short legs so that the whole rack is very low down. Good for carparks etc.

I don't think you will have any problem with the strength of the legs, I am quite large and I jump around on there along with tyres, gas bottles kayaks etc. solid as a rock.

From what I've seen, even with the shortest legs available, the Rhino platform still sits higher than the Frontrunner.

My boss in my previous place of work fitted a Rhino platform with the shortest legs available to his D4 - his rack was still higher than the Frontrunner platform on mine (height was critical to us, as we both parked in under the office building in Perth, and the access was only just high enough to get under with the suspension lowered to "access height". Mine made it with about an inch and a half to spare - his was almost scraping).

Also, my Frontrunner platform is the old style with the legs down both sides. The new version of the Frontrunner platform for the Disco sits on a pair of rails which bolt directly to the track mounting points on the higher section of the Disco's roof, with only two legs at the front end (if you are looking at the full length version). This version of the Frontrunner sits even lower than the one that I have, which is great if height is an issue.

New version of the Frontrunner rack for Disco 4 shown below.



And the older version with legs (same one I have on mine ...........................



The only disadvantage of the new version of the Frontrunner is that it is too low to fit the under-rack slide rails and aluminium / stainless steel camping table that I have under mine.

This table slides in under the Frontrunner rack and is a bloody handy bit of gear. I have modified ours by fitting a couple of long stainless steel towel rails / handles from Bunnings - one at each end. Gives you a much needed handle at each end for removing / replacing table from under roofrack, and also SWMBO likes to have somewhere to hang the tea towels.

Tracks come supplied, are almost as low but more importantly, $200 cheaper Brian

Since I'm mainly interested in attaching a roof tent, should I forget about getting a roof tray (e.g., Pioneer) altogether, and simply get a a pair of roof racks? (e.g, Rhino's Vortex or the slightly heavier duty ones they have)

That would save a lot of $$$, but the big question is that of longevity - those bars are rated at 75kg and 2 sleeping adults plus roof tent are considerably heavier than that.

Now, 75kg is clearly a dynamic rating and they don't provide a static one - it would be great to hear from someone who has actually done it and hasn't broken anything.

BMKal, yes I love that FR setup - looks like it will withstand anything you throw at it!


Steven

Originally Posted by Smcconnell

Since I'm mainly interested in attaching a roof tent, should I forget about getting a roof tray (e.g., Pioneer) altogether, and simply get a a pair of roof racks? (e.g, Rhino's Vortex or the slightly heavier duty ones they have)

That would save a lot of $$$, but the big question is that of longevity - those bars are rated at 75kg and 2 sleeping adults plus roof tent are considerably heavier than that.

Now, 75kg is clearly a dynamic rating and they don't provide a static one - it would be great to hear from someone who has actually done it and hasn't broken anything.

BMKal, yes I love that FR setup - looks like it will withstand anything you throw at it!


Steven

I had the same dilemma, so I bought 4 Rhino bars for my XL roof top ten that can sleep upto 5.


Have used it with 3 (total weight approx. 250kg) comfortably and no issue to date. Have also tried with 4 (approx. 310kg) and the roof/bars appear to be fine. A lot will depend on how well the roof top tent spreads the weight over the bars.


Hope this helps.