Roof rack weight

[tucsonlx]

How much do most roof racks weigh? Anybody have any numbers on the ARB, hannible, etc. I am thinking about building one and I am looking for some numbers to shoot for. Thanks.

PS I have already searched and about the only thing I found was that aluminum weighs less, duh.

[Brad Rumph]

hannibal is 100 pounds,not sure about arb

[mthomp6]

i have both ARB (3/4) and Hannibal...

ARB is 57kg or ~125 pounds
Hannibal is 38kg or ~85 pounds

it should be easy to do much better than these in terms of weight...

[esh]

I don't think it's valid to look at just one variable. For example, Hannibal uses extruded aluminum planks for its deck(the African Outback does as well). They've shaved the weight but they've also maintained or strengthened a critical function in their rack.

I don't know what it weighs, but that rack is really easy to work with and feels like nothing is up there when it's on. The tent is easily heavier than the rack, for other reasons.

Good luck in your project! If you get it built, post pics!

[FJAfrica]

I have a locally produced rack, the Frontrunner Wind Cheetah. It's all alum, and the extruded planks have slots in them that lock the head of an ordinary M8 bolt. Really useful for fastening things to the rack. It is streamlined and weighs 27 kg (59 lb). Each individual alu plank can hold my weight walking on it.




Here's a link http://www.frontrunner.co.za/

ps, the Hanibal rack is also made here.

[Bongani]

Here is the Hannibal website with info on the rack.

http://www.hannibal.co.za/default.asp?pageid=569

Jason, fancy meeting you here. ;-)

[Mike S]

You are correct to be concerned about this.

I am not sure of the specifications for various LC models, but most vehicles available today have rolling roof weigh limits of from 95 lbs. to 150 lbs. - TOTAL WEIGHT, including cargo.

Many of the racks commercially available or custom made are close to, or exceed, this weight. Add a tent, a spare tire, or a couple of gas cans, and VIOLA!, you're over the limit.

Food for thought.

M

[Exiled]

While I in no way advocate carrying a lot of weight on a roof rack (in fact, if you need to carry a lot of extra weight, consider a trailer first), I have in the past loaded up much more than 150 lbs. on an INTI expedition roof rack without adverse effect. To give you an idea, I've driven 1,500+ mile expeditions with seven steel 5-gallon jerry cans (full at the beginning of the trip), two 5-gallon water jerry cans and a 200 lb. folding tent, plus a few other sundry items (couple of folding chairs, etc...), without any adverse effects. No damage to the Land Cruiser's roof, even after 3-4 dozen similar trips over a 14 year period.

The INTI roof rack is very light, about 60-70 lbs.

Roof racks need to be GOOD, they need to be light, designed to buckle before the rain gutter, have enough feet to distribute the weight evenly, and should only be used when absolutely necessary.

Below is a close-up of my INTI rack post-restoration, you can see the details of the aluminum extrusions that make up the base of the rack.

[Junk]

Exiled, is that what Ale had on his 80?


Which reminds me I gotta drop him a line.

I've had both the ARB and the Hannibal. Used to fully load them up on some non-wheeling trips. The ARB may not weigh a lot more than the Hannibal, but I know on offcamber situations it felt heavier.

No I run rackless full time.

[Exiled]

Now that I have a house, I only run the roof rack when I need to, the other 95% of the time it sits propped against the garage wall.

I think Ale had a similar version from another local manufacturer, but it's not a true INTI. Pretty much the same thing, though.

[Mark W]

Originally Posted by Exiled

While I in no way advocate carrying a lot of weight on a roof rack (in fact, if you need to carry a lot of extra weight, consider a trailer first), I have in the past loaded up much more than 150 lbs. on an INTI expedition roof rack without adverse effect.

I agree with Henry, keep your weight low. That said, I have loaded about 800-900 pounds of books on top of one of the racks we built for a '60 for a run across town. I have loaded game (quartered moose and caribou) and a small amount of gear totaling about the same for a few miles up the trail back to camp.


You want to keep the weight as low as you can, but when the need arises you CAN load a lot onto a roof rack if you drive intelligently.


Mark...

[White Shark]

I've run 1200 lbs. on my Kaymar and I know a UCBerkeley professor who regularly runs out to the Salt Flats in Utah and spends weeks off road with 2000 lbs. on top. They probably aren't rated for this, but they hold up just fine. Just watch for C-Pillar cracks if you have an 80 series.

[toddslater]

tuscsonlx,

Your building your own, you know aluminum weighs less, so what is your question ???

[upcruiser]

I bought a Confer off of Yooper, its a heavy sucker with the plywood floor in it but is stout. I'd guess that it weighs around 100lbs. I've got my spare, high lift, 3 jerry cans and a water can. I notice more wallowing side to side over bumps with this weight, but its still remarkably stable. I ran Fins and Things yesterday and did some of the more difficult obstacles and, as long as I went really slow to avoid excess side to side movement, was fine.