Choice of roof rack
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 00:17
ThreadID:
85332
Views:
9811
Replies:
5
FollowUps:
7
This Thread has been Archived
burgervdm
I'm about to hit the hip pocket for a roof rack for a LC200. Narrowed my choice down to 3 racks and was hoping people with experience of these racks could give me the pros and cons of the various models.
Black Widoww 2200 aluminium. This looks like the rack to take you to the end of the earth and back. As I understand you can also use an Oztent on this rack. I presume this is a rooftop tent that fits inside the basket?
Rhino Rack Pioneer Alloy Tray. very much like the look of this rack but is not convinced about the versatility and durability of it. Everything seems to need a specific fastener to go onto the rack as opposed to the BW where it could easily be fastened to the mesh floor.
Rhini Rack Pioneer Alloy Platform. Essentially the same as the Pioneer tray but with removable sides. Does anyone has experience of this as a rooftop tent might find it's way into future trips and this feature should make adding a rooftop tent a breeze.
Any advice much appreciated.
Reply By: Member. Rob M (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 07:56
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 07:56
I know you have said that you have narrowed your choices to these three, but if you havn't already, have a look at dolium.com.au. I have had one of these on my 100 series for the last 4 years and am very happy with it from the wind noise and versatility point of view.
I am fairly sure thes are the South African racks used as OE for the Hannibal roof top tents. I purchased
mine from an Opposite Lock store which I think still sell the brand which may allow you to see it and the accessories.
AnswerID:
449808
Follow Up By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 13:56
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 13:56
Another very happy user of the Dolium rack here. It's been excellent on or Patrol. Much lighter than an ARB rack too.
Peter
FollowupID:
722233
Follow Up By: burgervdm - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 22:18
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 22:18
Thanks Rob and Peter,
The Windcheeta rack certainly looks good. I already have three rhino roof bars on the roof and the three racks I mentioned all fit on the same mounting system. As far as I can see the Windcheeta and ARB both use different mounting systems. Loved the Dolium accessories. They use the same system as the Rhino's with the eye bolt and sliding nut channel. Particularly loved the braai cover for the rear spare!
Thanks for the ideas.
FollowupID:
722311
Reply By: olcoolone - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 09:40
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 09:40
No ARB rack?
Our Landcruiser is getting one fitted as I type.
We chose ARB because of reputation plus the racks have been around for a while, I'm not into testing other peoples gear for long term reliability.
Plus if anything fails there is an ARB store or dealer not fair away.
AnswerID:
449818
Follow Up By: CSeaJay - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 11:04
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 11:04
I second ARB for being tried and tested
Plus the "leg bracket" for the 200 actually looks quite good, it is a continuos 'fin' with three legs/attachments so the weight is distributed. The fin followns the curve of the roof, and compensates for the fact that all three mounts are not of equal hight
Also, choice of steel or alloy
All the best with your decision
CJ
FollowupID:
722224
Follow Up By: Member. Rob M (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 15:00
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 15:00
olcoolone
I had a ARB rack on my previous Patrol but the longest they had to suit the cruiser was 1900mm which was not long enough for my requirements.
The alloy rack from Dolium is 2200mm long as
well as being only being about 90mm above the roof which allows acess to most car parks which unfortunately I require for work.
FollowupID:
722238
Follow Up By: burgervdm - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 22:26
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 22:26
Thanks olcoolone and CJ. As always the ARB products look good. As mentioned before I have three Rhino bars and they share a mounting system with the said racks.I have a roofbox for smaller trips and the interchangeability with the rack would be great. The ARB rack seems to have a unique mounting system and is a good 10 kg heavier than the black widow(both alloys).
Thanks for the suggestion.
FollowupID:
722313
Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 09:52
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 09:52
It all depends on what you want the rack for? You mention you may have a rooftop tent, then you need one that has no rails where it folds over (side fold or back fold tent are different). In this case, a platform (flat) rack makes more sense since it sounds like you don't have the tent yet. But if for say an awning support or kayaks, then roof bars make more sense.
I have the Rhino HD aero roof bars for my kayaks and they have been great. Plus it gives me the option of adding a rack if I need one at some stage. Roof bars that can have extras added are more versitile IMHO, especially if you are unsure of what you will be carrying on them.
Cheers
Captain
AnswerID:
449819
Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 17:00
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 17:00
Captain hit it in one. If you want a to put a roof top tent then you will need to choose one that a tent will mount on.
Phil
FollowupID:
722251
Follow Up By: burgervdm - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 22:46
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 22:46
Captain my Captain, like your thinking.
Share your choice of vehicle and also the HD Aero bars. Thats why i'm leaning towards the racks mentioned as they mount on the same system. This rack will have to carry the usual stuff for a desert crossing sans trailer. Including the gas cylinder and fire wood! The Rhino Pioneer tray in particular have removable rails that will make it ideal for the addition of a rooftop later on. The bars and roofbox does the trick at the moment, but I need to expand for the bigger self sufficient trips.
Thanks for the ideas.
FollowupID:
722320
Reply By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 14:48
Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 at 14:48
burger
I recently bought a Rhino Pioneer having noticed few more around recently
On the advice of our local bloke, who is also a ARB supplier, he has used the normal one extensively (not Pioneer) and is happy with it. Can't speak with much experience as I've only used it on bitumen but can't see why you can't strap stuff down just the same as mesh. The optional extras are just that: optional
cheers
AnswerID:
449845