More on the Simpson Desert crossing

Submitted: Monday, Oct 16, 2006 at 23:08

ThreadID: 38571 Views:4613 Replies:8 FollowUps:5

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Wayne (NSW)

7 of the 8 vehicles on the last Simpson crossing had a roof rack.

3 of the vehicles had roof bars and basket type roof rack.

The roof bar basket on all three vehicles had failed.

The 100 series had lost the long bolts that attached the legs to the pad that is bolted to the roof. The damage to the roof was a good size dent and some scratching. The solution, unload the 9kg gas bottle, spare tyre and 20lt jerry can on to my roof rack.

The Pajero had the roof bars and basket land on the bonnet of the vehicle. The damage was scratching to the roof and the bonnet. The solution, unload the spare tyre onto my roof rack.

The Prado was bending the gutters. The solution unload the tent onto my roof rack.

I have now got an extra 120kg on the roof rack of the Troopie. The solution. Roof bar/basket type roof racks are not good enough for a desert crossing.

The other failure was a couple that had all it's water in the 15lt plastic containers that you buy at the shop. After a few sand dunes the water containers split and the water was all over the back of the vehicle. The solution, I had enough water for there needs for the crossing. The solution, water should be carried in plastic water containers (jerry cans) or stainless steel tanks.

Wayne

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Reply By: Member - Andrew W (SA) - Monday, Oct 16, 2006 at 23:17

Monday, Oct 16, 2006 at 23:17

Nice point Wayne - roof racks take a fair amount of stress from being at the end of pendulum type movements and the flex that comes from being tied down at six points or whatever. Exacerbate that with a flying leap over a big dune - smash, bang!

Reminds me of a friend who lost the roof rack and tinny from his Triton on the A-B - required all sorts of tie downs to get it home.

Other water solution that is working well for me (as well as Jerries) is a 110litre water bladder that can be strapped/tied down - including across the rear footwell or in the cargo area.

The 100 Series roof rack points are only rated to 200kg - try subtracting the 45kg roof rack from that, and then adding up the amount of weight that is common, and 200kg is quickly exceeded - especially if it include 20kg Jerries and spare wheels.

Many of the smaller vehicles - Prado, Pajero etc. have even lower loadings for their roofs.

Cheers for now
Andrew who checks his roof rack hardware before, during and after each trip.

AnswerID: 199497

Reply By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Monday, Oct 16, 2006 at 23:38

Monday, Oct 16, 2006 at 23:38

Geese and roof racks . D'wits, eh?
We had a sudden flood of fluid over the wind screen/bonnet of a Nissan (petrol) , on those mongrel ranges into Cooktown a decade or two ago.
Yep, I'd packed 'em wrong, and a (steel) j.can decided to drop its load.

Now why does a Monk and an Austin suddenly spring to mind?

(She'd leave me, except no one else has enjoyed the Lord's favour so consistently: besides, boredom is a mongrel way to go. ) nyaknyak.

AnswerID: 199501

Follow Up By: Shaker - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 09:25

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 09:25

Before we did any Outback trips, I researched as much info as could from here, the general consensus was not to carry fuel on the roof.

FollowupID: 458410

Reply By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 04:31

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 04:31

Sorry you had troubles in the Simpson,
last year I crossed, and had no trouble ,, then again I only had light stuff on my home made roof racks,,
A safari tent ,, sleeping bags and 2 swags,, fold away chairs,,spare tyres,, not too sure about the final weight ,,
All the heavy stuff was in the back of my Navara, fuel, water, cooking, food and recovery gear..
Get the double whammy effect, low centre of gravity, and a good plastic bag, to keep dust and water out

Cheers Mate
Bucky

AnswerID: 199509

Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 07:20

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 07:20

I've got 3 commercial bars with the anchor bolts into the roof having a coat of silastic as this point is suseptible to leaks. The basket is fixed on to the roof racks with ubolts and double nuts. I carry a second spare and empty jerries which are only filled when I need the extra fuel. This setup has done many trips including the Simpson and OTL without any problems.

AnswerID: 199519

Reply By: mfewster - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 07:38

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 07:38

Around Alice Springs, the locals swear by roofracks made by a local firm- Spears. If you get a chance, it is worth having a look at the construction of these. All steel, a minimum of 4 mounting points and a full length gutter channel to spread the weight from the legs. VERY heavy construction (they look similar to VKS Romeo's setup on the post above.

Having a full length gutter so I could mount this sort of rack was one of the deciding factors for me in buying an older model 4WD for desert work.

AnswerID: 199521

Reply By: Redback - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 08:39

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 08:39

I had a similar roof bar and basket setup when i did my crossing, the flimsey u-bolts and plastic headed wingnut bolts are crap and loosen very easily, i checked the nuts and bolts on mine 2 and 3 times a day, cause even on the way to Birdsville before we crossed i found they were vibrating loose.

Once i kept checking them on a more regular basis, it was fine after that, but never again will i use those flimsey bloody u-bolts they supply that hold the basket to the roof bars.

Baz.

AnswerID: 199531

Follow Up By: Shaker - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 09:22

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 09:22

The U bolts on mine were fine, but before I went across the Simpson I fitted them with Nyloc nuts, no problems at all.

FollowupID: 458409

Follow Up By: Redback - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 10:14

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 10:14

Me too, i changed them all including the U-bolts for a little bit stronger ones and i also beefed up the basket were they mounted to the roof bar to get it flush with the rubber on the Rhino bar, to stop the bending, i don't have a basket now too much of a pain climbing up and down to get at things i just put it on the camper drawbar or on the side now.

Baz.

FollowupID: 458412

Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 10:22

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 10:22

what did you pack up top Baz?

FollowupID: 458415

Follow Up By: Member - Glenn D (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 20:17

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 20:17

Loctite is your friend !

FollowupID: 458498

Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 08:45

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 at 08:45

Good point Wayne

I had an extra spare on the roof last time we went into the Simpson in the rough stuff and my 3/4 length Roof Rack by 4WD Systems failed. 5 of the 6 bars cracked but luckily I made it home before they broke off altogether. I have now had all the bars gusseted and it shouldn't break again.

I have also reorganised what I carry where and only very light stuff will be on the rack when doing hard core off track driving.

Even 20lt plastic water jerry cans(mounted on the trailer) split on our Western Deserts trek this year. Those shop water containers are near to useless on HD treks as my travelling companions found out. I bought 6 x 10lt water containers of more robust build and made space for them behind the rear seat. Still carry 2 x 20lts on the trailer as well.

Cheers

AnswerID: 199533