Mesh or Flat Roof Rack?
Submitted: Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 18:59
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Member - Phantom (WA)
Thanks to those that responded to my previous post regarding lifting the rack into the garage roof. I have almost completed that task now and just hope my roof holds up.
I specially bought a mesh rack as many reports I read said they were better, however, I have been informed that the first thing I should do is cover the mesh with timber as they say the mesh is tough on wearing things out.
Can anyone with some experience advise the facts.
Thanks,
Steve
Reply By: MickeyJ - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:05
Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:05
Steve,
Yep I have 3mm mdf on
mine or else the mesh wears holes in the roof bag. (Learnt that the hard way) Even have it under the spare wheel.
Cheers
Mickey
AnswerID:
384970
Follow Up By: Member - Timbo - Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009 at 15:20
Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009 at 15:20
Are you ure it's MDF (ie. Medium Density Fibreboard)? I wouldn't have thought MDF would cope too
well with the weather, esp. rain?
FollowupID:
652798
Follow Up By: MickeyJ - Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009 at 17:20
Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009 at 17:20
Hi Timbo,
It sure is MDF, its cheap as chips, and when it gets wet it just seems to run off. Most of my travel is done up north in winter so mostly it does not rain too much. Most of the MDF is under the roof bag, or the tyre or the other boxes I have on the roof, so that part does not get wet.
If I need to tie something differently to the basket I just cut a hole in it with a
stanley knife.
Current sheet has been to Kimberly via
Gary Junction and to
Cape York, and still looks plenty servicable. (All it has to do is spread the load so that the wire basket does not rub holes in the roof bag)
Cheers
Mickey
FollowupID:
652810
Follow Up By: Member - Timbo - Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009 at 18:14
Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009 at 18:14
Fair enough - I just thought 3mm ply or similar might be more appropriate for outdoor use. Of course, ply would be more difficult to cut holes in it for new tie-down points!
FollowupID:
652820
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:19
Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:19
I've built my own platform roof racks using 100x100x5 steel mesh on my past 5 vehicles. All I put up there are swags, tents, tyres, poles and a kayak. The mesh allows you to attach anything to any place on the rack. If you cover it with ply, you lose that advantage. And I use occy straps to tie everything down - get some of the nice safe flat ones.
AnswerID:
384973
Reply By: Member - Mick O (VIC) - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:40
Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:40
Use the compressed foam puzzle matts (
camp flooring) under your roof bags etc. Will save them wearing and you just cut a slit or hole where you need to anchor onto the mesh floor of the rack. Cheap and easy.
Cheers Mick
AnswerID:
384978
Follow Up By: Member - Keith C (NSW) - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:57
Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:57
G/day Mick, thanks,great idea,light as
well. Keith C.
FollowupID:
652723
Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 22:40
Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 22:40
I use a couple of scraps of carpet, cut to the size of jerry cans and the extra tent which reside on the RR. I used a cheap foam hiker's mat to put under my folded inflatable boat.
FollowupID:
652740
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:46
Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:46
My mesh roof rack has a rubberised liner that is placed on the bottom of the rack underneath the canvas sack.
This was recommended by Roof Rack World (where I bought the rack and canvas bag and I had no reason to doubt the wisdom of their suggestion.
The liner is of a "mesh" material itself to allow
water to flow through it while giving protection to the canvas. Folds or rolls up when not in use and takes up no space at all.
Bill.
AnswerID:
384980
Reply By: Kim and Damn Dog - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:58
Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 19:58
Gidday
I use that high density black rubber to
seat things on the roof rack, along with ratchet straps.
It’s particularly useful with fuel carried on the roof and allows the can to expand and contract.
The rubber is expensive, but will last for years.
I don't reckon I'd cover the rack with ply.
Regards
Kim
AnswerID:
384982
Reply By: dry lake racer - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 21:31
Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 21:31
I use the same as sand man as it weighs very little and lets any
water out from sitting under your roof bag if it rains, caravaners use it as floor matting outside
Martin
AnswerID:
384998