What do you use your roof rack for?

[MRR918]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in getting an aluminess style roof rack (baja box, expedition rack, w/e you want to call them) in hopes that I could store cargo up there when on the road. Are most people using their racks for storage or more for mounting lights, solar panels, kayak carriers, etc. Are those cargo racks worth having for luggage, firewood, chairs, etc? Or is storing cargo on the roof a PITA?

They look cool as all **** but I don't want to buy one and then find out its not great for storage.

If you have any pics of your rack loaded up that would be great!

-Mickey

 

[daveb-SMB]

Mine is for solar, lighting and cargo. I have a Yak-pod up top for any friends who come along. At least it frees up some space inside. If I'm by myself I just leave it empty. I did have a roof top bag, but didn't really like it.
Weight while the top is going up or down is a huge issue. I'm basically cautious & remove anything unusually heavy each time I lift the roof. Snow on the roof is more of an concern now. I did have Aluminess build the rack out of smaller lighter stock to help offset the weight. The tubing is still large enough to run power wires in it.

 

[MRR918]

Weight while the top is going up or down is a huge issue. I'm basically cautious & remove anything unusually heavy each time I lift the roof.

Do you have an electric pop top or manual?

 

[rallypanam]

His is electric, but it doesn't much matter.. Max weight on an SMB top is maybe 150 lbs or so. But I wouldn't want to lift that much on a manual.

Most people remove heavier stuff from roof rack before raising roof.

 

[Botchan]

Mine is for solar, lighting and cargo. I have a Yak-pod up top for any friends who come along. At least it frees up some space inside. If I'm by myself I just leave it empty. I did have a roof top bag, but didn't really like it.
Weight while the top is going up or down is a huge issue. I'm basically cautious & remove anything unusually heavy each time I lift the roof. Snow on the roof is more of an concern now. I did have Aluminess build the rack out of smaller lighter stock to help offset the weight. The tubing is still large enough to run power wires in it.

DaveB -

Do you have any close up photos of your roof rack? Also, do you know what size Aluminess used in the fabrication?

 

[daveb-SMB]

DaveB -

Do you have any close up photos of your roof rack? Also, do you know what size Aluminess used in the fabrication?

I'd have to dig for the info. I'd think Aluminess would have the design specs. I have an aluminum cover with the Sportsmobile logo covering the 42" bar light, 6 smaller side and rear lights and two frontal side lights. The solar panels are 2 135w kyocera panels. The Yakama box isn't made anymore and I hope the newer models will fit if mine breaks.

 

[EmMay]

Solar Panels, gear storage in weather proof bags and space to strap two ten foot long 30 inch wide Stand Up Paddle Boards.

Side and Rear LED Lamps, two each, are bolted through the flat strap/columns that support the rack rail. There's pre drilled holes for this set up all the way around the rack.

We've tied off sun shades to the rails, strapped gear slings and hung our climbing racks.

Gary spread a huge custom made cushion up there last year in the sierras and spent a freezing night 'enjoying the milky way'...

But, if push came to shove... we gotta admit that we are less rack mandatory travelers than we used to think we were. It such a drag on the aero profile when we start piling blocks of gear up there, we don't like people probing our stuff, and ...

ok, ok it is a bad ass set up that sure tops off the rig. like a cherry on a sundae...

 

[SunstateSMB]

Funny you posted this- I logged on today to ask the same question!

We just picked up a Yakima rack for our van and we're getting a cargo box tonight- I love Craigslist! I think we are going to store our screen tent, our folding table, and the camp chairs in ours to free up the space under the sofas.

Our van is an '86 GMC, so we plan on unloading the top and sprinkling it with Holy Water before we pop the penthouse.

 

[Fitz2]

His is electric, but it doesn't much matter.. Max weight on an SMB top is maybe 150 lbs or so. But I wouldn't want to lift that much on a manual.

Most people remove heavier stuff from roof rack before raising roof.

The SMB website lists 200 pounds as the maximum weight on the Penthouse Roof. That's for current production vehicles, it may have changed over the years. It doesn't state it, but my assumption and how I approach it is that 200 pounds is the maximum weight that can be added and still lift the PH, we all know it will take far more than that when loaded in the down position.

 

[bigriver-SMB]

The SMB website lists 200 pounds as the maximum weight on the Penthouse Roof. That's for current production vehicles, it may have changed over the years. It doesn't state it, but my assumption and how I approach it is that 200 pounds is the maximum weight that can be added and still lift the PH, we all know it will take far more than that when loaded in the down position.

This is close to 200 lb. with both boats loaded with Baja camp gear. Electric top - obviously. Yakima racks.

 

[JoeH-SMB]

I'm in the process of replacing my Yakima setup (mega-warrior basket and/or box) with a 2mx1500mm Eezi-Awn’s K9 platform rack. Eezi-Awn K9 Roof Rack Platform only 1250mm x 2.2M

It fits nicely behind my solar panel and the weighs 72lb. When I looked into a penthouse top rack from aluminess with standard slats I was told it weighed around 130 lbs.

So, don't forget to factor in the weight of the rack into your sum total load.

 

[carringb]

Witness me!!!!!

 

[86Scotty]

That's nuts. Burning Man?

 

[rallypanam]

That's nuts. Burning Man?

Too many trees for burning man. Well, actually one tree would make it too many trees for burning man.

 

[86Scotty]

I thought that too. I was thinking maybe Burning Man practice or something. [emoji57]


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[carringb]

It was actually for a run: Cascade Lakes Relay: fun and scenic running relay in Central Oregon

Inspiration of course was the Doofwagon from MadMax

Audio system was functional, running off a 2000 watt generator. Also on board was 170 gallos of water, and a high-flow pump, for cooling down runners, and to substitute for shooting flames. We figured law-enforcement might frown on flame throwers in the forest in August.

 

[rltilley]

I had Thule tracks added to my build rather than go for the Aluminess rack. I wanted the Aluminess setup but the build was already expensive so I went the cheaper route since I can always add it later. So far the Thule tracks have been more than adequate. I use the crossbars for snowboards in the winter and if I need more storage I add a large Thule box up there. I plan on keeping an inflatable kayak and SUP's up there for summer trips. I may pick up a Yakima Load Warrior at some point to mount up there.

I also have solar on the roof mounted directly to the penthouse top so if I go for a full rack that would need to be relocated.


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[BVerhulst]

Wind resistance, mostly.

But seriously, lights, lights, and more lights. A solar panel. A high-lift jack (I used to keep it on the grill-guard of my pickup, but found it collected too much ice and road grime down low on the front, so I moved it UP). MaxTrax floatation (fabricated my own bracket for these to attach to my Aluminess rack). And formerly a satellite dish (which, unfortunately, became obsolete due to technology upgrades, so I have space for another solar panel, perhaps).

 

[SunstateSMB]

We got our roof rack and box about a week ago and finally have it set up for our trip this summer. We've decided to store our camping chairs, table, and bug screen tent in the box. We also positioned the box slightly off center so we have room to add a kayak in the future.

 

[bglockwood]

Has anyone used a Thule Hullavator on a penthouse?