Yakima or similar roof top carrier on penthouse roof?

[dbhosttexas]

So I have some larger, not super heavy things, traction boards, stainless steel fire pit, folding camp kitchen etc... that are bulkier than I want IN the van during travel. I have seen a youtuber that has a Yakima rocket box on his van roof on a VW Westfalia camper and was wondering if there is a good way to set up a removable cargo box on the penthouse top...

[larrie]

We have a set of Thule Top Tracks with the square bar, https://www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rac...s-60-_-6432999. Works very well for mounting different carrying systems to the roof.

[Scalf77]

Thule or Yakima Tracks seems to be a good way to go, Here is a pretty good thread with instructions on mounting them.

[1der]

Give consideration to additional weight on roof which may require lift adjustments and the shadowing on the solar panels from the box and/or cross bars.

[dbhosttexas]

Originally Posted by 1der

Give consideration to additional weight on roof which may require lift adjustments and the shadowing on the solar panels from the box and/or cross bars.

Well, no solar on the roof. My solar is 100% portable so I can park in the shade and still get power... Not everyones favorite setup but it works for me, until an a--hole in a class C parks just next to my panels... *#$#it! (Real life experience...)

Giving consideration to added weight. Honestly I may be chasing the wrong squirrel and up the wrong tree. I may be able to solve my issue with a hitch haul if I can bump it up about 6" so I don't totally trash departure angles... I have a fire pit, spare fuel, and a Joolca HOTTAP rig I am needing space for and that is about it. Honestly just want the stuff out of the van iinterior so I can just pull over and use the inside of the van instead of moving totes around...

[boywonder]

Originally Posted by 1der

Give consideration to additional weight on roof which may require lift adjustments....

You can crank up the extension spring preload by shortening the chains 3-4 links, but at some point you risk bending the crossbars unless unless you sleeve them. This sort of defines how much extra weight you can put on the roof..

You can also shim the helper springs with wood blocks .......the compression springs lay in the channels at the rear of the roof. This helps the first few inches of up travel a lot. It will become obvious if you shim too much.

If you are going to put Yakima/Thule channels on the roof for crossbars it's desirable to drill mounting holes outside the canvas for leakage......but for a few other reasons mine ended up inside the canvas. ...not a problem if you seal them well.

[dbhosttexas]

So cargo issue solved. I have a hitch haul, and one of those drop / raise reciever adapters that will pick it up 7.5" receiver centerline to receiver centerline. Grabbed a black friday sale on a waterproof cargo back for the hitch haul. That means I can put in my fire pit, and firewood on the bottom, then chuck my Joolca Ensuite and awning, as well as the Hottap and its plumbing / stand. The fire pit has its own carry bag that keeps everything around it soot free so no worries there... I MAY be able to actually squeeze in the Cabelas Camp Kitchen as well. Which is great, almost all of the outside stuff would be at the ready once I pull into camp... And no climbing up and down a ladder.

[bidgoodr]

Originally Posted by dbhosttexas

So I have some larger, not super heavy things, traction boards, stainless steel fire pit, folding camp kitchen etc... that are bulkier than I want IN the van during travel. I have seen a youtuber that has a Yakima rocket box on his van roof on a VW Westfalia camper and was wondering if there is a good way to set up a removable cargo box on the penthouse top...

We had a Yakima rocket box mounted on top of our Penthouse top. It was attached to square Thule bars which were mounted on Thule tracks. We have been very satisfied with this arrangement. Jim and Nancy cautioned us about not putting too much heavy stuff in the box since it adds stress to the electric motor on the Penthouse.

[dbhosttexas]

Originally Posted by bidgoodr

We had a Yakima rocket box mounted on top of our Penthouse top. It was attached to square Thule bars which were mounted on Thule tracks. We have been very satisfied with this arrangement. Jim and Nancy cautioned us about not putting too much heavy stuff in the box since it adds stress to the electric motor on the Penthouse.

So until I discovered this forum, I was never aware that the Penthouse roof could be had with an electric motor. My 71 VW, and now my 94 Ford Penthouse roof Sportsmobiles both were manual, and the various SMBs (I looked at 3 others before I opted for my 93, the others were either massively overpriced, thoroughly trashed, or both) I have seen had manual tops as well...

I have kind of sort of resolved my own issue though. Using one of those receiver hitch drop / rise adatpers I am putting the centerline of the receiver up 7.5" from where it usually is, so I can use a hitch haul / carrier without completely trashing departure angle. It will be far better than an extended length E250 anyway, and a cargo carrier bag.

To reduce my load unless I am going with a group, I think I am going to leave my smokeless fire pit at home, and carry my UCO Flatpack large. Of course my Cabelas Cam Kitchen and other oversized but not heavy items in the carrier. Plus fuel I don't want inside the van...