Roof rack design ideas?

[terranosaurusdoug]

Hi all, I have taken the factory roof rack off and I am going to make my own, I have ordered some 30mm steel tube to build it with, it's not going to be a massive cage carry everything but the kitchen type thing, It will have fixings fir whatever I decide to put up there and maybe a space for misc items to be tied down.
But what do I put on it, originally I was going to put my hi-lift and three waffle boards stacked on top of themselves, then I thought of making a wheel holder for an extra spare wheel for when me n Wheelie are touring the Akaskan wilds Then I thought maybe put two spares on the roof with waffle boards and hi-lift on the tailgate with a jerry can, but then would that make the truck a little top heavy? My minds a mashed now so ideas please guys :thumb2

 

[Wheelie]

Hi all, I have taken the factory roof rack off and I am going to make my own, I have ordered some 30mm steel tube to build it with, it's not going to be a massive cage carry everything but the kitchen type thing, It will have fixings fir whatever I decide to put up there and maybe a space for misc items to be tied down.
But what do I put on it, originally I was going to put my hi-lift and three waffle boards stacked on top of themselves, then I thought of making a wheel holder for an extra spare wheel for when me n Wheelie are touring the Akaskan wilds Then I thought maybe put two spares on the roof with waffle boards and hi-lift on the tailgate with a jerry can, but then would that make the truck a little top heavy? My minds a mashed now so ideas please guys :thumb2

TDoug, you do need to keep most of the weight as near to the floor as possible, I have thought of getting a second spare and putting it on my roof rack. My rack is mainly for the awning and stuff I won't use that often i.e. Waffle boards, wheel and my jerry cans, I bought 2x 10 ltr rather than a 20 to keep the height down more than anything, if your thinking of putting on a roof tent then go with a flat rack, I have a ground tent so I went for fully caged. Hope this helps. I don't know about the Alaskan wilds but deffo some European tour as a group would be awesome

 

[don simon]

Bear in mind that there will be a max weight of around 75kg of kit you can put on a roof rack. On the road it's for gyroscopic effect, or something scientific like that, and in the wilds your angle of dangle will be affected by a top heavy truck. Too much weight up top on an incline and over you go. But on the bright side, you wouldn't have to climb to get the jack. :lol

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

But on the bright side, you wouldn't have to climb to get the jack. :lol

:lol:lol

The other thing is physically getting the spare wheel up onto the roof rack, just lifting it up onto my raised rear carrier is fun.

I wonder if you made a swing away spare wheel carrier, if you could get two wheels side by side.:augie

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Thats settled that then, keep the weight low as possible. So far for the rack is the hi-lift, waffle boards, extra fuel and a long spade, possibly falling over whilst driving on a slope is one of the things I worry about most, ask Blocky.

Any more thoughts guys??, please

 

[don simon]

Taking a broader view. What kit have you got? Where are you looking to overland and for how long? What will you be looking for sleeping in/on? Think about security and what could be nicked off the roof.

 

[Wheelie]

Taking a broader view. What kit have you got? Where are you looking to overland and for how long? What will you be looking for sleeping in/on? Think about security and what could be nicked off the roof.

That's far to sensible, were not grown ups you know

 

[don simon]

Sorry.

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

:lol:lol that's the sort of thing I need to consider though, security wise I'm going to try to have holes in the securing mechanisms for padlocks to go through. I plan on sleeping in the truck on short breaks and in a tent for longer journeys. I will want to take extra fuel, and water, not bothered about a fridge.

 

[zippy656]

This post needs Pics

 

[Davey Boy]

Doug I would ditch the fuel storage idea. Concentrate on water storage and make space for a decent fridge.
It depends on where in the world you're travelling but....
If your travelling through Europe, even remote areas as I have, you're never far away from a fuel station/garage/village pump.
But....
Everything can go in the fridge. The obvious perishable food and drink, medication, contact lenses and solutions, camera film (if you're old school).
I've found that food wise, you buy and consume as you go and that way it cuts down on food storage. You also get to taste fresh produce from the different regions you drive through.
Just my thoughts...:thumb2

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Proper interesting Davey, thank you. Do you have any suggestions for water containers tough enough to ride on the roof?

 

[Blocky10]

Proper interesting Davey, thank you. Do you have any suggestions for water containers tough enough to ride on the roof?

Water weights 1kg per litre T-Doug. :thumb2
Loving this thread:sly

 

[Davey Boy]

Get your water storage inside Doug and as low as you can.
It'll protect from freezing and help with vehicle stability.
If your carrying a larger quantity, it helps if the container can take a psi pressure and is internally baffled. It helps stop the sloshing!
Inside means you can have a permanently wired pumped supply too.
Hth Doug?

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

I'm not too fussed about pumped or heated, If I put some containers in the rear foot wells and got them out as I needed them that would be enough for me, would have some sort of tap in the containers though. I will be trying things out before I go on any foreign journeys though and I could find that I want pumped water and can't survive without a hot shower :lol I will rule nothing out yet, I wasn't fussed about a fridge but I do like my fruit n fibre with cold milk in the mornings so I reckon I'll make a space for one now after reading advice on here :thumb2 :bow
Awesome

 

[Thomas61]

Hi,

If you are making your own could you have the waffle boards sliding and stored under the floor of the roof rack on brackets. Would keep them out of the way but easy to access and no risk of stuff been stacked on top of them. Depends on how snug you want the rack to the roof I guess but a thought.

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Hi,

If you are making your own could you have the waffle boards sliding and stored under the floor of the roof rack on brackets. Would keep them out of the way but easy to access and no risk of stuff been stacked on top of them. Depends on how snug you want the rack to the roof I guess but a thought.

Good idea, I hadn't thought of that, I was firmly in the box, hmmmmmmm

 

[Davey Boy]

Hi,

If you are making your own could you have the waffle boards sliding and stored under the floor of the roof rack on brackets. Would keep them out of the way but easy to access and no risk of stuff been stacked on top of them. Depends on how snug you want the rack to the roof I guess but a thought.

I've been thinking of doing a similar thing for my camp table storage.:thumb2

 

[Davey Boy]

Hey Doug,

Off topic
I've gone over to having Greek style yoghurt with my granola. It's really good!
Try a couple of big dollops on yer f&f and stir it in. :thumbs

 

[don simon]

Greek style?
Get the the proper stuff that doesn't have junk put in it.