So,
I've been paralyzing myself with roof rack questions and analyses.
Aluminum track-based or steel mesh/grate-based? Do I go DIY to copy/mimic a production rack/platform or just go with a known production rack?
I want that added strength of aftermarket (static and dynamic (on and off-road) load strength) and I like the gadgets of track-based AND I like the "just strap whatever wherever" of the mesh/grate/cage-based platforms, ergo I respect the merits or each platform. I say platform over basket mainly for low-profile and maintaining garage access.
I currently run an aftermarket generic 42ish" by 42ish" basket and was trying to find it's center extension, but in specing it out, by gaining the 26" center the basket would then be 20" overhang from the front-most and rear-most positions of the stock crossbars. among other weaknesses in the system, I want to do something about upgrading the roof-top carrying ability.
I understand high COG so minimizing what goes up there is a variable and I also like the idea of putting things like fuel jerries/jerrys/geris (whatever spelling
) out of the passenger compartment (though I have a sceptor)...
Not expedition use, because A: what does that mean in the States anyway but B: that's not a realistic goal, although some of the expo goods make family-based car camping easier and more dialed and comfy, like an awning.
I mount a roof box on sometimes (makes for good soft-goods storage on road trips) and the basket for multi-day off-road camping/"expeditions" in the radius of home. Bikes go on a hitch rack so not upstairs.
I was going the Gamiviti tower route and thinking of building up a DIY extruded Aluminum platform off those, but getting good corners is kind of a crux with T-nutz or 80/20. I like the utilitarian and basic design of baja, gamiviti, SSO, and the like and could probably fab something that would mount to G's towers, but is this a case where built over bought isn't worth the hassle? I like that Prinsu uses standard slotted extruded Aluminum (thus the 80/20 ideas) and that standard bolts fit in the slots (depending on 6mm vs 8mm in aftermarket designs) and many other brands' gadgets would/could prossibly fit too, but production versions have features somewhat difficult to recreate (like sleek profile, fit and finish, corners, main structure vs. slotted bars, etc.).
Yay engineering, boo co$t to end-user for said rad engineering ;-/
I like that Rhino Rack has longitudinal tracks vs. competitor's transverse crossbars, but only 4 tracks (although wide platforms as stable bases) plus the pair of tracks in the outside bars of the platform (see pioneer platform or pioneer elevations) and they use channel-based main crossbeams for the platforms to mount to (ergo DIY with Unistrut or similar then extruded Al?
) Other racks (front runner, Prinsu, etc.) ) don't sell their towers/rails separately BUT Rhino rack has the backbone system, which is what I kind of prefer over 3 pairs of towers... Something in my brains suggests a unified rail, attaching at all 6 factory mounting locations, would distribute load more evenly (of course depending how the load is fitted ON the eventual rack/platform )
BUT the part number RTPB2, spec'd for Prado 120/GX 470, doesn't show on Rhino Rack USA's site . . . the GX 460/ Prado 150 backbone is available Stateside however...but this doesn't exact-fit, per design, a 470.
Let's see what you've got, what you use it for, what you like and dislike about it, and if you did it again which way would you go?
I've been paralyzing myself with roof rack questions and analyses.
Aluminum track-based or steel mesh/grate-based? Do I go DIY to copy/mimic a production rack/platform or just go with a known production rack?
I want that added strength of aftermarket (static and dynamic (on and off-road) load strength) and I like the gadgets of track-based AND I like the "just strap whatever wherever" of the mesh/grate/cage-based platforms, ergo I respect the merits or each platform. I say platform over basket mainly for low-profile and maintaining garage access.
I currently run an aftermarket generic 42ish" by 42ish" basket and was trying to find it's center extension, but in specing it out, by gaining the 26" center the basket would then be 20" overhang from the front-most and rear-most positions of the stock crossbars. among other weaknesses in the system, I want to do something about upgrading the roof-top carrying ability.
I understand high COG so minimizing what goes up there is a variable and I also like the idea of putting things like fuel jerries/jerrys/geris (whatever spelling
) out of the passenger compartment (though I have a sceptor)...Not expedition use, because A: what does that mean in the States anyway but B: that's not a realistic goal, although some of the expo goods make family-based car camping easier and more dialed and comfy, like an awning.
I mount a roof box on sometimes (makes for good soft-goods storage on road trips) and the basket for multi-day off-road camping/"expeditions" in the radius of home. Bikes go on a hitch rack so not upstairs.
I was going the Gamiviti tower route and thinking of building up a DIY extruded Aluminum platform off those, but getting good corners is kind of a crux with T-nutz or 80/20. I like the utilitarian and basic design of baja, gamiviti, SSO, and the like and could probably fab something that would mount to G's towers, but is this a case where built over bought isn't worth the hassle? I like that Prinsu uses standard slotted extruded Aluminum (thus the 80/20 ideas) and that standard bolts fit in the slots (depending on 6mm vs 8mm in aftermarket designs) and many other brands' gadgets would/could prossibly fit too, but production versions have features somewhat difficult to recreate (like sleek profile, fit and finish, corners, main structure vs. slotted bars, etc.).
Yay engineering, boo co$t to end-user for said rad engineering ;-/
I like that Rhino Rack has longitudinal tracks vs. competitor's transverse crossbars, but only 4 tracks (although wide platforms as stable bases) plus the pair of tracks in the outside bars of the platform (see pioneer platform or pioneer elevations) and they use channel-based main crossbeams for the platforms to mount to (ergo DIY with Unistrut or similar then extruded Al?
) Other racks (front runner, Prinsu, etc.) ) don't sell their towers/rails separately BUT Rhino rack has the backbone system, which is what I kind of prefer over 3 pairs of towers... Something in my brains suggests a unified rail, attaching at all 6 factory mounting locations, would distribute load more evenly (of course depending how the load is fitted ON the eventual rack/platform )BUT the part number RTPB2, spec'd for Prado 120/GX 470, doesn't show on Rhino Rack USA's site . . . the GX 460/ Prado 150 backbone is available Stateside however...but this doesn't exact-fit, per design, a 470.
Let's see what you've got, what you use it for, what you like and dislike about it, and if you did it again which way would you go?
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). 5HKxxxx came with it when we purchased. Why?
