Roof rails

[Junosi]

Do the longitudinal roof rails exist in Australia for P38's ? I'm after some. I'm getting curious as to whether they were ever an option here as I haven't seen any around with them on yet and wreckers are all turning up a no go. Seen them in plenty of UK pictures though, even some US ones.

Pic below isn't mine - but shows the rails I'm talking about.

[Hoges]

Guess I've never been a fan of rails simply because without other support structures the weight of whatever is being carried is transferred directly to the sheet metal of the roof. Or are they meant to have cross bars attached so that the load force is spread evenly along both sides of the roof perimeter?
Have always wondered.

The scene: Fairly narrow street inner city Brisbane suburb.
The vehicle: shiny 60's model Falcon 4 door...VERY well maintained...sparkling in fact
Four young blokes carry large mattress out of house, plonk it on roof of Falcon then get in. Each (including driver) then puts arm out window, reaches up and grips mattress ....and off they go ..

now about those rails?

[Junosi]

Or are they meant to have cross bars attached so that the load force is spread evenly along both sides of the roof perimeter?

They're designed to have crossbars added to them - as many crossbars as you like ... and position them as you like too for load distribution.

These rails have a higher load rating than 'normal' crossbars (thule, rhino etc) alone and I'm after a high load rating and weight distribution for my roof tent ≈ 65kg + 2 people

[Scouse]

There was a set on eBay a few months ago that sold for more than what I was prepared to pay for them.
I sold a set of the crossbars to someone in Sydney recently too so there might be a few with the rails floating around.

[Hoges]

quote: They're designed to have crossbars added to them - as many crossbars as you like ... and position them as you like too for load distribution.

These rails have a higher load rating than 'normal' crossbars (thule, rhino etc) alone and I'm after a high load rating and weight distribution for my roof tent ≈ 65kg + 2 people



Ahhh! Thankyou! (light bulb activated )

In that case I could become a fan

...am somewhat disappointed with the same old/me too Rhino/Thule look alike design mindset. I want to set up a roof top tent for a Cape york trip later this year so have been exploring limits for static and dynamic roof loads... (BTW...what sort of roof tent did you settle on?)

cheers

[Junosi]

BTW...what sort of roof tent did you settle on?

I've got a 'Howling Moon'. Its quite spacious for two people and very weatherproof - although a little *flappy* if there's much wind. Takes about 2 mins to setup or take down which is mostly inserting/removing the steel window braces. Here's a photo of it on my Discovery. I've had it about 9 years I think. It started its life on top of Lada Niva and went round most of Australia on the 1600cc Niva Then it got upgraded to a Disco - and soon a P38 (well as soon as I find some blasted rails)



I spent a few weeks up Cape York last year on my motorbike with a swag - had a great time.

[Remy]

Take a look at tradesman roof rack. Ron has one and photos! I bought the brackets and had some crossbars welded up. I reckon it would easily hold your tent. Still not sure i would trust the roof with two adults and the tent. That said my rook rack is very solid.
Cheers,
Remy

[DT-P38]

Last year I bought one brand new off an e-bay dude in melbourne (dubiously) and have ended up being VERY, VERY happy with it.

My cousin-in-law reckons they look like they probably come out of the same factory as the dear-ish (no offence) Hannibal brand. He swears his brother in law has one of those and they are both made in the RSA. Mines not that old, but the quality appears to be right up there and they are very easy to live with (except in shopping centre car parks!). The one I have has a sealed lower annexe (enough room for double mattress and gear), the ladder entering the roof top area is under cover (internal) and it only weighs around the 30-40kg mark (I lift it off and on the roof rack).

I just had a look and they are still on e-bay now... if you go there and look up item number 230439767070 you should see it. For the price, I reckon it is a dead set steal!!! ARB charge twice what he wants and I pitty those who want any of the other name brands.

[Junosi]

I just had a look and they are still on e-bay now... if you go there and look up item number 230439767070 you should see it. For the price, I reckon it is a dead set steal!!! ARB charge twice what he wants and I pitty those who want any of the other name brands

Those do look good. I very nearly bought a Hannibal when I was shopping for mine - can't remember what made me go with the Howling Moon now but its done me proud over the years. If these ones are anywhere near as good as the Hannibals then that's a great price.

[Junosi]

Well after hunting high and low all around Australia for genuine roof rails I've finally found and bought a set with crossbars included from Scotland. They arrived a couple of days ago and after sandblasting and rust painting the mounting plates I fitted the rails tonight.

The rails and crossbars
29032010045.jpg

Just the rails
31032010047.jpg

Rails with crossbars attached
31032010050.jpg

Now to see if my rooftent fits - as soon as I'm feeling energetic, takes a lot of sweat getting that 65kg beast up there.