Unistrut vs. 8020 for penthouse roof

[clicker44]

This thread got me fired up to redo the roof on my RB-50 manual penthouse top.

In researching Unistrut I am seeing quite a bit of mentions on other forums of 8020. The 8020 looks to be quite a bit more expensive, but seems to have a lot more attachment options than unistrut. It also looks more difficult to install.

What I am hoping to achieve with this project is:

- Remove my Yakima tracks and replace with either unistrut or 8020
- Remove my Yakima cross bars and replace with either unistrut or 8020
- Mount (1) or possibly (2) solar panels to the top

What I routinely carry on my roof is:

- (1) or sometimes (2) yakima skyboxes (side by side mounted to the crossbars)
- (1) solar panel
- surfboards (but I also have surf hooks on the side of the van so only use the roof for traveling long distances)

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Thanks for any insight!

[larrie]

My choice would be Unistrut. I find it easier to work with and the basic nuts, angles, and joining pieces are available in the electrical department of Home Depot.

[boywonder]

Are you concerned at all about corrosion?


Unistrut is steel and 8020 is aluminum....

[Otter]

Unistrut comes in aluminum too. It's what CCV is putting on my poptop.

http://https://www.unistrut.biz/aluminum-unistrut/

[clicker44]

Otter - Do you know what gauge/type/height/width of Unistrut you are getting installed?

[Otter]

Originally Posted by clicker44

Otter - Do you know what gauge/type/height/width of Unistrut you are getting installed?

It’s spec’d as “industrial 1 5/8 squared alloy unistrut”. I’m having it powder coated black.

[mikewmay]

For those using Unistrut- how are you mounting/installing it? Screws or bolts? Spaced how far apart? How are you sealing/waterproofing? Any guidance (and photos) would be extremely helpful.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by mikewmay

For those using Unistrut- how are you mounting/installing it? Screws or bolts? Spaced how far apart? How are you sealing/waterproofing? Any guidance (and photos) would be extremely helpful.

Mine was mounted by CCV during the top install. They use the three bolts that attach the top to the lifting mechanism, so no extra holes.

If you don’t have that top and are starting from scratch, you definitely want to use bolts for strength. Anything you put on that strut would pull screws out quickly.

As to sealing, CCV used some kind of bedding all along the bottom of the strut, not just at the bolt holes. You could pm MSD, a member here, and ask what they used.

[MSD]

To seal the alloy unistrut we use butyl tape