100-series new roof rack

[benc]

Extrusions ordered and will be here Monday!
I have made some pretty major design changes due to similarities to another manufactuers design, his was for an 80series but I did not want there to be any issues there as I believe he will soon be offering one for the 100 series as well. That being said, I went back to the drawing board and think I came up with a far better design! I'm not going to say much about it yet but will say all the main things I wanted to address such as low profile, low weight and low noise are still in place.
I know one of the biggest complaints about a low profile rack is acsessing the bolts for the rtt! I do plan to address this along with other issues.
I feel this will be the best looking, most functional and most versatile rack on the market and think most will agree.
Thanks for all the interest and patients! And know I'm working on bringing the best roof rack possible to the market.
Thank.

 

[Bomar]

Can't wait to see it. I have a Alu-Cab shadow awning waiting on a roof rack.

 

[Get outside]

Also, skid plates, sway bar disconnects, sliders and shower box

What's a shower box?

 

[Joe Bob]

Thanks for all the interest and patients! And know I'm working on bringing the best roof rack possible to the market.
Thank.

Uggh. I'm kinda bummed I already ordered a Gobi. I just couldn't wait... I might regret it!

 

[benc]

What's a shower box?

Eventually I will have a sealed box that will bolt on the the rear swing out that will house an on demand water heater and pump, just hook up to a water sorce and have a hot camp shower.

 

[benc]

Uggh. I'm kinda bummed I already ordered a Gobi. I just couldn't wait... I might regret it!

You will

 

[Bomar]

I really liked old style roof rack look. You have great design skills so hope it will be great.

 

[benc]

I really liked old style roof rack look. You have great design skills so hope it will be great.

It will still have a simlar look but better.

 

[bozncsurf]

at this point you might want to offer financing .. with so many great products, gonna be hard to convince the of the all these Dissent products i "need"

 

[reznunt]

can't wait to see it! tired of waiting for prinsu to come out with theirs, and this is the only other one i like just as much!

 

[Brian Waag]

I'm interested too. Was also looking at the Gobi, but will wait until you post pics of your prototype. I too want something prior to spring/summer camp season, so hoping you'll have something out soon!

 

[benc]

Made a little progress on the roof rack! I just have it mocked up on the roof with some temporary brackets so I can get the measurements for the brackets.
I have decided to go with the t-slot extrusions all the way around and do a skirting and fairing to fit the profile of the roof. I have also decided to do half skirting and leave the center of the extrusions exposed for bolting on assesories such as a shovel, ax and high-lift.
This will also help with debris and snow ect,ect to drain off the roof.
The entire rack will be aluminum with the exception of the roof mounts. I ordered a 40" light bar and will be doing an option for a concealed light bar as well. Another option I will have is rtt cross bars that bolt to the tent first so the tent will be very simple to take off and on.

 

[DirtDawg]

You've done it again

 

[benc]

The brackets are on cad and off to the laser cutter next week.
They should be pretty dialed but may have to do one more prototype run to fine tune.
Once I have the brackets and get the extrusions bolted in place I can finish drawing the fairing and skirting.
The entire rack will be made of aluminum while the bracketry will be made of 10ga 304 stainless.
There will be no mild steel on this rack so no rust! I have had my fair share of steel racks and even when powder coated they will scratch and will rust if you use them as a utility rack like I do.
I have said it before but one thing you can count on is I own a 100 series and use it for everything. I have a good idea of what is needed/wanted in a roof rack.
My point is I recently had bought a fridge slide from a big name manufacturer and was very disappointed to find out it did not lock while extended! I called the manufacturer and asked why, he said they found in there r&d that it wasn't needed. What!
This goes to show that a lot of products are designed on a computer by people that don't use the products and never really tested before they hit the market.
I promise this will not be the case with any products I build!
Thanks again for all the support with the bumpers and I hope this rack will be just as practical.

 

[Bomar]

Any updates? I sure miss original sides.

 

[benc]

Any updates? I sure miss original sides.

Waiting on the laser cutter, should have brackets soon.
The old design looked nice but the new design will be much more practical.

 

[Live to Ski]

This might have been addressed in previous responses:

Would not the old rail design distribute loads along the entire channel length thus resulting in more robust load ratings?

 

[benc]

This might have been addressed in previous responses:

Would not the old rail design distribute loads along the entire channel length thus resulting in more robust load ratings?

No, that design would sit off the roof a bit and have feet that mount into the factory locations.

There were many factors that made me change up the design,
Here are a few to hopefully help shine a light on why, first off the similarity to the prinsu rack, I did not want there to be speculation that I was copying his design and he does plan to offer one for the 100. Also a big concern was drainage and debris, if the rack had the full rails that tight to the body any debris and snow would be a pain to remove. Versatility was a big factor as well, the t-slot extrusion will offer many more accessory mounting options on the sides, high-lift, shovel, ax ect ect, the unused t-slot on the inside edge will be perfect to conceal and aux wiring.
The t-slots will give unlimited adjustment on the cross bars and will allow me to build a custom mouting solution for roof top tent, it will also allow me to build an adapter so Yakima load bars and accessories can be used.

 

[Live to Ski]

Debris accumulation/removal makes sense to me.

 

[reznunt]

No, that design would sit off the roof a bit and have feet that mount into the factory locations.

There were many factors that made me change up the design,
Here are a few to hopefully help shine a light on why, first off the similarity to the prinsu rack, I did not want there to be speculation that I was copying his design and he does plan to offer one for the 100. Also a big concern was drainage and debris, if the rack had the full rails that tight to the body any debris and snow would be a pain to remove. Versatility was a big factor as well, the t-slot extrusion will offer many more accessory mounting options on the sides, high-lift, shovel, ax ect ect, the unused t-slot on the inside edge will be perfect to conceal and aux wiring.
The t-slots will give unlimited adjustment on the cross bars and will allow me to build a custom mouting solution for roof top tent, it will also allow me to build an adapter so Yakima load bars and accessories can be used.

So what's pictured above is basically what the finished product will resemble? There won't be full side "skirting" running the length of the rack?