PH Roof Racks...Low Profile, Also bolts on roof

mmocken · 02-22-2008, 08:26 PM

Any suggestions on a low profile roof rack?

I was thinking of placing slats on the PH and attaching eyelet hoops to the bolts on the roof. I have about 3" of clearance and prefer not to use a standard rack.

On a related note, can I take out the roof bolts? If not, can I loosen them? I'm thinking of fabricating a washer with a large flange. Bend up the flange and put some attachment holes for a tie down, flat fishing boat or cargo net.

Thanks in Advance...

jage · 02-23-2008, 12:33 AM

I wouldn't mess with the top bolts... you're asking for leaks by breaking loose the old seals and more from twisting and whatnot from a roof rack or cargo. I'd keep all my holes strictly outside the canvas.

What do you need the roof rack for?

mmocken · 02-23-2008, 11:30 AM

I'd use the extra space for cargo, bikes, a pontoon fishing boat(150#'s) etc.

5 of us = not enough room

I am looking at a $50 craigslist trailer to use possibly instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jage

I wouldn't mess with the top bolts... you're asking for leaks by breaking loose the old seals and more from twisting and whatnot from a roof rack or cargo. I'd keep all my holes strictly outside the canvas.

What do you need the roof rack for?

bitburger · 03-04-2008, 10:15 AM

I have to fit my SMB into my garage which doesn't leave enough clearance for a traditional roof rack.

I am considering putting(bolting) a Thule track in place and just bolting in the rack attachments when I need them.
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-tru ... 0inch.html

I have a similar track on a subaru and it works well, only taking a couple minutes to attach the rack or carrier options.

Ford_6L_E350 · 03-04-2008, 05:01 PM

I pulled some of the bolts out of my roof to attach a solar panel. Went to a good auto paint supply store and got a roll of the super sticky, black stuff SMB used for sealing - butyl I think it was. Because of the attachments I was using I had to get longer bolts. I did one at a time and had no problems.

Mike

kzemach · 03-04-2008, 06:57 PM

I had SMB West put Yakima gutter rails on the SIDES of my PH roof, thus with the Yakima risers, the rods can be very low. If you want pics of the rails, let me know.

deminimis · 03-05-2008, 03:25 PM

Mine came with a solar panel with Yakima racks (wind deflector used to protect the solar panel). Mine mounts in track on top of the roof. Works well. However, I believe the better application is to use a set of Yakima "Wide Body" mounts along the side of the top. Can't change the spread of the bars once installed, but greater strength and no fear of water pooling around the mounts (more importantly the mounting screws). If you'd like a pic of my current setup, just let me know. Here is a pic of my former Westy showing the Wide Body mounts (uses four bolts for each mount over a greater area than the other Yakima Kwik Rail(?) mounts.

mmocken · 03-05-2008, 06:33 PM

Thanks for all the replies..

I've decided instead to buy a Pickup bed extender hitch mount and mount a tray in it...a supersized Hitch Haul. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

If sometime I did make a roof rack, I'd pull the bolts individually and add loops. I'd also glue slats to the roof. Then use this for stowing gear