Roof racks
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 15:58
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Disco123
Just following on from the other Roof Rack thread, I'm about to buy a gutter mount unit myself and am interested in the difference in strength between say an ARB rack and Rhino bars with wire basket. The basket is held to the bars by solid bolts and steel brackets, not the hand tightened clamps that come standard.
The ARB style certainly look stronger but given that you are limited to around 100kg total load on the gutters is there really that much difference in the strength required?
Reply By: Rosco - Qld - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 16:56
Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 16:56
I went down the Rhino track, but opted for the framed platform box rather than the wire mesh jobby. Quite happy with the result using 3 bars and from memory, each bar has a 100kg capacity ??. Anyhow it's far greater than I would ever put up there. As far as wind noise goes, how the bloody hell would I tell in the Defender LOL. Actually it's not too bad, but then again I have an 80W SP permanently mounted in front of it so that may
well address that issue.
All in all a good rack that suits my requirements.
Cheers
Rosco
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163902
Reply By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 17:02
Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 17:02
With the weight of the steel ARB racks , you would not have too much available weight left to put on the gutters - they weigh a ton compared to alloy racks .
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Disco123 - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 07:56
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 07:56
That's right. I'm just looking a 1/2 steel rack, not the full length, and they are 38kgs which only leaves 62kgs for gear.
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Reply By: Laura B - Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 20:28
Thursday, Mar 30, 2006 at 20:28
we have the arb ones and they weigh a ton so if these gutters are suposed to be able to hold 100kg (we got told 200kg) then it'd have to come close - kinda!!
we manage to put a 20kg tent,swags, table, chairs, portacot and the odd bits and pieces that we need to put up there and they hold up fine....
my question is how do you wash under there - i have to do that bit cos my arm only just gets under there and even then its a bodge job!!
ours also holds Nathan as
well as the tent standing on it - he weighs about 80kg....i find its really strong!!
Seen these Rhino ones and to me they just dont look as sturdy - they could be though!!
Hope this helps a little...
Laura B
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Disco123 - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 07:59
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 07:59
Thanks
Laura, I'm only after a 1/2 sized rack so if yours is full length it would probably hold 200kgs.
I agree, the Rhino type setups don't look as strong, that's why I'm leaning towards a full steel rack despite the weight disadvantage.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: vinh n - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 09:37
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 09:37
ARB rack looks so strong that the vehicle gutters/mounts would probably let go first... Perhaps a somewhat weaker/lighter rack that breaks first and leaves the gutters intact is better (racks are far more easy to replace or repair) for the early overload-warning value.
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Reply By: Patrolman Pat - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 12:50
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 12:50
I use Rhino sports racks on my patrol. The racks are on permanently carrying ladders and i put a wire cage on when I go camping. My 1200 mm cage hold all my camping gear plus my weight when I load it with no problems so far. I've had Rhino racks on other vehicles and never had a problem.
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Reply By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 19:41
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 19:41
Most roof top campers recomend rhino racks so they must be ok. Campers way approx 50/60 kg then you have 2 people sleeping up there which on average total weight for 2 people 200kg + pillows sleeping bags etc all up would be close to 300kg. I suppose there would be a big difference when stationary to having that weight up there and being mobile. Regards Steve M
AnswerID:
164138
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 19:45
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 19:45
Forgot to mention that you are required to have 3 rhino bars for a roof top camper
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Reply By: Disco123 - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 20:23
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 20:23
Thanks for the comments.
Does anyone know if the baskets are strong enough for around 100 kgs?
AnswerID:
164149