Roof Racks, Opinions Please????

I did a lok of research a couple of years ago on roof racks. My criteria were, must be alloy, must be able to move from vehicle to vehicle easily, must have mesh floor and must be verry strong.

The answer i came up with after being offered all the same stuff by al the dealers was a Tracklander from Western Australia.

Since buying it I have moved it from a guttered vehicle to non guttered and done numerous trios. Probably the most extreme was across the simpson with 80 litres fuel and water plus spare tyre on board. YEs I know that is overloaded. The rack had no problems.

Cheers and good luck.

Where are you located?

I also spent months looking for a good roof rack. After much deliberation I settled on a ARB steel rack with mesh floor. Looks great will carry more than needed, and you can fit foil to the front as it has a slooping edge to it.

The rack is interchangeable from vehicle to vehicle just buy new brackets to suit.

As far as weight is concerened, it is not that much different than a well made alloy.
And if it every needs repairs I can do it on the side of the track.

Hi Babs

I went the ARB steel rack just with rails weight as been good did one trip with the family with tents and all sorts on the roof (more that half a chance it was over loaded)

Iam not confident in alloy

Trevor Hill

I have used Rhino heavy duty alloy roof racks for years with no problems. They are of the channel type with adjustable legs mounts so it is incredibly easy to move between all types of guttered vechiles and fit all manner of shovel holder/ high lift jack holders and spare tyre clamps all over them. I have three of them (paid $470 with shovel holders, spacer kit and highlift jack holder in 2005 through TJM)

Site Link:
www.rhinorack.com.au/suv.asp

My basket thingy is an old hilux commercial roof basket that I got a hold of from a mate and set about rectifying. I had to cut it down width ways then added plate alloy sides and back and a wind deflector across the front. I also made two built in Jerry holders each side aft and mounted sailing pulley tracks with three movable tie down points on each side. This is very similar to the tie down system in the new Navara and is just so bloody easy to secure anything. Theres also the fold up flag mast for my big Eureka flag when running up the beach and the bar for the spotties when SWMBO lets me loose again. Got a few cans of nissan pearl white and gave the lot to mate with a spray gun.

What I am saying is that you can have/ or build yourself a roof rack to do exactly what you want to do. The off the shelf option is normally a compromise and I personally wanted solid sides and some waterproofing which the trays simply cannot give.

I am currently away on work but give us an email address and I fling some photos
your way, or if on Bris Nthside come and have a look.

Ben

Hi babs,

Ive got an ARB with meshfloor on a LC100. Nice and soild but a bit small. I would really like one of these.
Site Link
Nice and low and you can bolt brackets and such, a very usefull feature.
Good Luck!
Shane

I have a full length alloy rack from TJM with mesh floor, and very happy with it
It’s seen some bush work and no cracks so far

Cheers

Babs for a full sized alloy rack the East Coast Bull Bar rack available at Oppersite Lock is one of the best. Light, very strong, fitted with security mesh & has 6 bolt mounting on each leg allowing for flex, something that often fails on solid welded racks. They can be powder coated in a range of colors & I can recommend the hammer finish as being very durable. I was a little hesitant at swapping to alloy as I'd heard issues with them cracking but will never go back to steel now.
Cheers Craig...............

I've built mesh platform racks on my last 5 vehicles.
#1 A platform can be made out of steel, but remain light.
#2 They are stacks easier to load an unload
#3 Not much wind noise
#4 Usually still get into carparks and garages
#5 With 100x100x5mm mesh, you can strap anything down to any spot on the rack
#6 Long or wide stuff can hang over a bit if need be (eg the 8x4 sheets from teh hardware shop)

I think Opposite Lock sell a good platform rack, but nobody else seems to. Thats why I've always made my own.

Babs,

Just went through this exercise and ended up choosing a heavy duty aluminium Rhino Rack and so far very happy. I already had a couple of the cross bars so it ended up cheaper than a full ARB or Tracklander type. Can also remove rack when needed and just use crossbars should the need arise. At this stage very happy with the purchase.

Hooroo