Quote:
Originally Posted by hudyhue
ok starting to build my roof rack on my 40....using some gutter mounts....was wondering what you guys have done or any things you would nt do if you were going to do it again...  |
I am planning on this but have not yet started: someone had suggested using a folding ATV ramp in aluminum as a starting point for a roof rack. They can be had for under $100, are light, hold 1000+ lbs and are readily available.
for example:
http://www.discountramps.com/bifold-atv-ramp.htm
The idea was to add cross pieces in aluminum (square/rectangular tube or C channel) to span across and attach to the mounts (4 mounts/side = 4 cross pieces). Bolt those to the unfolded ramp and you could be pretty close to done. Everthing else is optional.Roof rack gutter mounts are also available in a number of configurations.
I was going to investigate using bicycle "skewers" (those things that hold the wheels and seats in place on modern bikes) to clamp the mounts to the gutters so that they could be easily removed. I wheel in the NE woods and we have to contend with tight trails with lots of trees all around so it would be nicer to not have to think about the rack snagging up. Drive to the campsite with the rack, unload and pop off the rack...
As a side benefit when removed the rack can be disassembled, folded and stored compactly.
Maybe this winter... yeah, right.