Does this roof rack make my 80 look fat?

[MDarius]

I bought it for this very purpose, and others, but I sometimes wonder if I overdo it. This trip was 4 days with 5 adult sized humans in the rig.

On top we have:
-10 gallons of fuel (used all of it) - about 80 pounds
-A tote with gear: stove, bumper dumper, recovery, trail "possibles". -about 50 pounds
- 5 gallons of water - 40 pounds
- 8 dry bags with sleeping bags, clothes, tent. -About 60 pounds
- Family tent - 35 pounds
- 2 cots - 25 pounds
- 4 camp chairs - 20 pounds
- Tote with dry food -40 pounds
- Trail Tailor custom Roof rack with steel mesh decking -130 pounds (@reevesci )
- Hi-lift jack - 30 pounds

That's about 500 pounds. Holy Shizzle!! I just packed it when we left, I didn't weigh it!

I felt the weight going to camp and took things a little more slowly than usual to accommodate it. I redistributed some to the front on the way home, and didn't have the fuel or water and some food was gone. We were in high winds and sleet and it felt steady as a rock. Based on drivability I'd say I had about 120 pounds too much up top on the way to camp.

Inside I had another 850 pounds of people and gear probably.

Thoughts? Criticism? Congratulations?

 

[MDarius]

This is my favorite use of it though...

 

[OhmStyles]

Looks great and I'm waiting for mine to do the exact same thing!!

 

[MDarius]

Thinking about my load, I could easily move my hi-lift to the ARB bumper and slide the row of drybags towards the front of the rack. I think that would have helped on the way down. If the water jug didn't fit so perfectly in the rear it could move forward too. Airbag helpers in the rear would have made a difference on this trip I think.

 

[Hornd]

What Roof Rack is that?

 

[MDarius]

Trail Tailor with a little bit of customization for me. I asked him to add the fuel can brackets and the mesh decking. It's Stout and quite frankly, pretty awesome.

 

[FJP971]

If you're not doing a lot of off camber stuff then it's probably not too bad. My concern would be the affect it would have on a quick maneuver on the highway. Like you said, slow down a little on curves and it should be fine but try to reduce it some if you can. Maybe a trailer? I wonder what the rain gutters can handle?

 

[MDarius]

I've taken the trailer in the past. I ended up driving out of camp in a flash flood trying to keep the trailer behind me while I fought to keep my speed up to stay on top of the mud. That's when I decided I need a good roof rack. I don't know...Pros and cons. I like the idea of a smallish off-road trailer. It would be handy to just store the gear there, put on a roof top tent, and have that convenience. On the other hand, it presents it's own challenges on the trail if you're moving camp sites or wheeling to get to camp in the first place. I haven't done it much.

Thoughts from those with more experience trailering off-road?

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Just like a woman asking if her pants make her butt look fat...honesty is the best policy.
No @MDarius your roof rack doesn't make your 80 look fat, your 80 makes your 80 look fat.

Looks great and I'm waiting for mine to do the exact same thing!!

I hope you're talking about loading it to the hilt and not taking a family photo with his wife and kids.

 

[ZackR]

I'd try to get the highest density items down to a lower center of gravity (water, fuel and recovery gear). In my mind the roof rack is a good place for the camping gear, chairs, etc that are large but not as dense.

 

[surfpig]

I'd try to get the highest density items down to a lower center of gravity (water, fuel and recovery gear). In my mind the roof rack is a good place for the camping gear, chairs, etc that are large but not as dense.

That's what I try to do too. Doesn't always work out that way though...

 

[MDarius]

Yeah, inside we had 2 coolers, water flats, more food, day packs, etc. I could have put the big Action packer tote inside, but the 3rd row passenger definitely would have felt it. Maybe the water jug, but the lay of the load would have been weird. I'll take a fresh look at it next time. The easiest is when it's just 4 of us.

 

[ZackR]

True, its always a compromise. The heavy roof rack wouldn't bother me as much at lower speeds say 20-40 mph on dirt and side roads as it would at highway speeds.

 

[mechanist]

You can add more weight down low to move your center of gravity back down. Maybe the IPOR skid plate, sliders, diff armor, etc.

Looks awesome! And so phat!!!

 

[danthman114]

I like to keep the heaviest stuff lower also keep the tp INSIDE the vehicle. you can lose everything else but you cannot lose the tp. swampass can ruin your whole trip...

 

[MDarius]

I like the way you are thinking! Skid plates and sliders are a MUST now.

 

[MDarius]

I like to keep the heaviest stuff lower also keep the tp INSIDE the vehicle. you can lose everything else but you cannot lose the tp. swampass can ruin your whole trip...

I swiped a giant roll from a pit toilet once because we left ours home. There was another full roll in the dispenser, so I'm not completely evil. But still...Shhhhh....

 

[DirtScaresMe]

I like to keep the heaviest stuff lower also keep the tp INSIDE the vehicle. you can lose everything else but you cannot lose the tp. swampass can ruin your whole trip...

Wet wipes my brother, wet wipes.

 

[PolarRunner]

Good sales material for @reevesci to use! That's quite the load you've got on that there roof rack. I'd rather spend budget on a good roof rack than most other add ons.

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

Do you really want criticism, or just confirmation that it looks great and very 'expeditiony'?

You are taking way too much stuff. How much food can you eat in 4 days? If you want to bring your whole house, take a trailer.
You are having too much weight on the roof. Off camber will be a problem and steering will be quite affected, especially in an emergency situation.