Platform vs Tray vs Basket

[BSM]

I'm trying to work out the best configuration for my D3s roof storage.

Requirements are:

1: Have short factory rails fitted and want to use these. Don't feel I need a full length rack
2: Mostly to be used for chucking extra gear on top when camping. Including a small gas bottle.
3: on longer tours or 4wd weekends want to mount a spare and one or more jerrycans of fuel, and the small gas bottle. (Say 3-4 times per year)
4: Wind whistling through the thing will drive me nuts.
5: Have very little storage space at home, so keeping the rack permanently on, with minimal effect on fuel consumption is appealing. But must be able to get into underground car parks around town.
6: Cost is always a consideration,

All of my 4wd mates have rails with a wire mesh basket that they take on and off. But I'm not so sure about that option. Here's my thinking.

Basket
Cheapest option; Good for just chucking stuff in; not so good for securely mounting jerry cans or gas bottles in an upright position; probably gets lots of wind whistle.(not sure about that); would need to be removed and stored when not in use.

Alloy Platform
Great for mounting jerry cans, spares and gas bottles (if you buy the accessories). And the low sides help in getting these heavy things up and down. Good for reducing wind noise and fuels consumption, and they can probably stay permanently on without affecting fuel consumption unduly whilst allowing entry to underground car parks. What I'm not sure about though is their usefulness in being able to just chuck general camping stuff of random shapes and sizes up there and making it secure.

Alloy Tray
Great for both mounting jerry cans, spares, gas bottles (with fewer accessories needed). Also good for chucking random sized camping objects up top as the side rails help secure the load. Not so good with fuel consumption when unladen. Probably pretty good with wind noise if you get one with a wind deflector on the front. Most likely won't get into those car parks, and most likely would be a pain to take on and off and store.

These are my thoughts on looking at the three types of roof storage. I'd be interested on the thoughts of those who use these things. What is good and bad about the various types?

[jon3950]

If you want to leave it on and height is an issue, then a platform is the best option.

The Front Runner is really neat but I went with the Rhino Pioneer Platfrom, mainly due to cost but I also think it is easier to get on and off. I can fit and remove it on my own very easily.

Both have plenty of accessories for mounting stuff, but another thing I liked about the Rhino is you can add side rails if you want, which are easily removable.

I have the short rails, but used a shorter leg than Rhino recommends to keep it as low as possible.

Cheers,
Jon

[BSM]

If you want to leave it on and height is an issue, then a platform is the best option.

The Front Runner is really neat but I went with the Rhino Pioneer Platfrom, mainly due to cost but I also think it is easier to get on and off. I can fit and remove it on my own very easily.

Both have plenty of accessories for mounting stuff, but another thing I liked about the Rhino is you can add side rails if you want, which are easily removable.

I have the short rails, but used a shorter leg than Rhino recommends to keep it as low as possible.

Cheers,
Jon

Thanks Jon. Is your Rhino the one measuring 1528mm in length? I was wondering if that one extends forward of the dip in the roofline and might therefore be exposed to extra wind buffeting and hence is noisy. How's the wind noise from your platform when unladen?

[jon3950]

Thanks Jon. Is your Rhino the one measuring 1528mm in length? I was wondering if that one extends forward of the dip in the roofline and might therefore be exposed to extra wind buffeting and hence is noisy. How's the wind noise from your platform when unladen?

Mine is the 1528 x 1236 - I went narrower than Rhino recommend and used the RLTP legs instead of the RLT legs.

The size is a good match for the roof:



I went narrower as I didn't want the overhang on the sides. To me this looks a lot neater but does comprise storage space a bit as you lose one slat. It doesn't bother me as I don't put a lot up there. It will fit a tyre, a jerry can and some Maxtrax, with some space for firewood. I also have an awning and shovel up there.

Wind noise is very subjective. There is some, but not as much as I seem to get from the RAI. I notice it because the Disco is so quiet, but it doesn't bother me.

There are more photos of it with various loads in my gallery.
http://www.aulro.com/app/showgallery.php/cat/1293


Cheers,
Jon

[Blknight.aus]

purely from a fuel economy stand point the flat panel ones offer the least additonal fuel resistance and have the added bonus that they arent too uncomfortable to lie on when you star gaze at an impromptu stop.

[bidds]

I've been using one of the pioneer platforms for about 18 months. I do remove it when there are no big trips planned or I want to use normal cross bars for surf boards. It's very easy to live with and is quite light compared to the ARB type of full length rack. For general camping stuff, buy a number of the eye bolts and you can place them wherever you want - very versatile.

Cheers,

Bidds

[sniegy]

Jon & Bidds,
What would you say the weight of the rack & bracketry would be?

[AnD3rew]

Another vote for the platform, I have the one that is just the back section of the roof and with the short legs. Very versatile I have a number of eye bolts which allows lots of options, I have the shovel holders and a Foxwing, I take those off when I am not planning any trips but only take 15 mins to put back on. I also have the gas bottle holder and a half width rhino bag. On a big trip I will have a second spare, the shovel holders the Foxwing and a gas bottle up there as well as the long bag with sleeping bags and various other light stuff in it.

With it stripped down to just the rack there is very little noise and you can still get into a lot of carparks outside of the Sydney CBD.

[BSM]

What would you say the weight of the rack & bracketry would be?

The Rhino catalog quotes the weight of the platform and leg brackets as 23kg

[jon3950]

Jon & Bidds,
What would you say the weight of the rack & bracketry would be?

About 23kg

Sounds about right. Easy one person lift.

Cheers,
Jon