Roof Rack Recommendations

[discomaniac]

Hi All D3ers,
I know Roof racks for the D3 have been discussed in various places over the last two years, but there seems to be plenty of suitable racks on the market now. I have also seen more D3's with racks, both on the road and in photos on this forum recently.

I'm not just after bars, but a mid sized flat rack, preferable as low a profile as possible. Interested in the Rackmaster from Opposite Lock at the moment. Not cheap, but seems good for the price. Any comments or any other recommendations/reviews of suitable racks would be much appreciated.

[stevo68]

Interested in this topic as well, but moreso a half rack, gotta be able to still use the sun roof , I think Rhino may do one, anyone know, thanks,

Regards

Stevo

[discomaniac]

This link below is the one I am looking at. Looks good, just want confirmation that it is a good, reliable product.

http://www.oppositelock.com.au/redes...ID=RMRLDIS3-16

They do have a longer full length rack, but I think this one would be long enough for my needs.

Thanks.

[PCH]

I've got a Tradesman Engineering full length rack which mounts the Howling Moon roof top tent. The rack weighs around 35kg and needs another person to put on or I lift it on with a roof mounted hand winch.

I think I'd go with a Opposite lock Rack Master in future because they have flexible mounting points in the rack's channels.

One other point that I've seen on another brand (I think it was a Hannibal rack) is that they have the main braces running lengthwise which would help to cut wind noise.

I reckon they are all priced around the same $'s which is around the $1200 mark for a full length one or slightly cheaper for a 3/4 one.

BTW they do affect fuel consumption by around 1-1.5 lt/100km and are noisey. I take mine of for this reason.

Chris

[WhiteD3]

This link below is the one I am looking at. Looks good, just want confirmation that it is a good, reliable product.

http://www.oppositelock.com.au/redes...ID=RMRLDIS3-16

They do have a longer full length rack, but I think this one would be long enough for my needs.

Thanks.

I'd be interested in the noise it makes. One thing I love about the D3 is how quiet it is.

[gghaggis]

Interested in this topic as well, but moreso a half rack, gotta be able to still use the sun roof , I think Rhino may do one, anyone know, thanks,

Regards

Stevo

Stevo,

I got the Vortex half-rack from Rola - nice looking rack (see for instance, my "Harvey_27_07_07" album in the gallery) and pretty quiet.

Price is under $300, + $150 or so for the bars, but they wanted a King's ransom for the rails (which didn't come as fitted on my vehicle). I ended up buying their std rail ($30/m) and some aluminium channel to fit over the ridge in the roof channel, and mounted it that way.

Cheers,

Gordon

[PCH]

I'd be interested in the noise it makes. One thing I love about the D3 is how quiet it is.

With a head or cross wind you have quite a roar on the roof which is much more noticable than the STT's. There isn't much sound deadening between the roof and the cabin so the rook rack noise is easily noticed.

I found the Hannibal link. http://www.hannibal.co.za/default.asp?pageid=537 If you look at the design you can see the rails running front to back. A guy at work has a Defender and the Hannbal rack and he says it is very quite. I haven't been in his Defender to compare it but I'd say it would be quiter than my Tradesman Oval design. I don't know if they fit a D3 though.

Chris

[WhiteD3]

Just a question re the rails: I priced some Rhino racks at ARB today and they tell me that the installation of the rails involves drilling into the roof of the D3!

Is this right? I've always assumed that underneath the cover strip was some mounting points.

[stevo68]

Just a question re the rails: I priced some Rhino racks at ARB today and they tell me that the installation of the rails involves drilling into the roof of the D3!

Is this right? I've always assumed that underneath the cover strip was some mounting points.

Hey mate, was that for full rack or half rack, and what sort of $$$. Now that I have one more and the last on the way, I will either have to get rails or take my trailer if we want to go away even on a non-4wd trip as all 7 seats are now full....well will be from April onwards,

Regards

Stevo

[WhiteD3]

Hey mate, was that for full rack or half rack, and what sort of $$$. Now that I have one more and the last on the way, I will either have to get rails or take my trailer if we want to go away even on a non-4wd trip as all 7 seats are now full....well will be from April onwards,

Regards

Stevo

2 Rhino aero racks + rails = $530

I just need them for fishing rods at this stage.