How much weight on a BJ74 roof?

[nickw]

Hey guys.

I was wondering how much weight my BJ74 will safely take.
I want a roof top tent. Could my roof hold the tent and two people (maybe 3 in a pinch)?

My front gutters are on the metal door rail.
Additional rear were installed by stone:
Pics on his for sale thread here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=104118
I am not sure what Stone's one could take.
Any idea?

As an alternitive how strong are the front gutters above the door?
I know the windshield is fold down, so I am not sure how much weight it can take. I have also never taked an FRP off? Is the metal attached to the roll bar?

Also what about the back?
There is rear gutters behind the doors?
Maybe I could make a roof rack system that attaches to it?
Are they part of the FTP top?

I do want to build a roll cage next year, so I could attach it to the cage then.
But I still want to know if my 74 could safely do it without.

Has anyone does this?
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[nickw]

Here is a pic of Gold Boys rack:

It attaches to the front gutters and the rear ones.
Anyone know how strong something like this would be?
How much weight could it hold?
I could try and fab something like this up?

Or would the what I have be good enough?
I don't want to cause perminant damage.
Hmmm...

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Urbancarrot]

Nick,

Congrats on the new truck....

I had a full roof rack on my truck for a few months and took it camping etc. I really did not care for it.... That is why I got a trailer.

However, there were these racks that attached to the rear side if the truck which I thought was clever.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=89512&highlight=roof+racks

Cheers

Todd

 

[nickw]

Nick,

Congrats on the new truck....

I had a full roof rack on my truck for a few months and took it camping etc. I really did not care for it.... That is why I got a trailer.

However, there were these racks that attached to the rear side if the truck which I thought was clever.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=89512&highlight=roof+racks

Cheers

Todd

Hello Todd,

Does your truck still have them?
Did you take them off?
If so, do you want to sell them?

If not, could you please post some more detailed pics of them?
I would like to see how they attach.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[stanley]

how about something custom like the d90 setup. I like how the mount attaches to the hood area, just an idea

 

[Urbancarrot]

Hello Todd,

Does your truck still have them?
Did you take them off?
If so, do you want to sell them?

If not, could you please post some more detailed pics of them?
I would like to see how they attach.

Thanks,
Nick

Hey Nick.....

Sorry, I do not have the rack..... I borrowed the rack from a friend for a few months to try it out. It was ok.... However, I did not like the extra weight above me and with the height of the truck I found it to be a pain loading and unloading without a ladder.... If I were to put a roof top tent on top of the truck I would do a exoskelaton like the D90 set up...

I did get a military trailer and love it..... Just saving up now to get a roof top tent for the trailer.

If you need a trailer there are about 15-25 in Edmonton from WestEd Equipment. $800.00 and some are in nice shape.



Todd

 

[brownbear]

I think a roof top tent and you inside(maybe 2?) would be too much.

I have seen those fake rain gutters for roof racks, they just use a plate on the insde and one out.

I think any kinda weight would crack the top over time.

The trailer idea is the one I would do..... Or like the D90 set up.

Roof racks and 135 lbs tent might also increase the roll over tendency.

Although that said I probaly will load up my roof rack and trailer when I go out. But not wheeling.

 

[lowenbrau]

I plan to cage the back of my 74 and throughbolt the FRP to the rack and tent. It'll allow me to run the rack with the top off as well. I'm not nuts about drilling through the top but I think its the best compromize. If you bump a tree with a rack connected to the gutters you're gonna do a lot of damage and my rigs tend to do a little tree hugging.

 

[brownbear]

So what about running the cage on the outside?

I have seen many a pick up truck with a roof rack over a fiberglass canopy done with external cages. The kind you see sitting underneath the topper.

I know the FRP isn't a canopy. But if you could lift it 3/16 to 1/4 inch and have the brackets sitting out where a tubing could be bent up to the roof...

would that work?

 

[nickw]

I plan to cage the back of my 74 and throughbolt the FRP to the rack and tent. It'll allow me to run the rack with the top off as well. I'm not nuts about drilling through the top but I think its the best compromize. If you bump a tree with a rack connected to the gutters you're gonna do a lot of damage and my rigs tend to do a little tree hugging.

Thanks guys.

I know what you mean about tress.
I do plan on building a cage. Maybe I should do that soon.
And yeah, having the roof top tent up there will make it more tippy.
I just won't do any serious wheeling with it up there.

I wonder if I could get away with a system like this for 6 months:
I looks like its connected to the metal and not the FRP.
Connected to the front metal cutters and metal rear gutters.
What do you think?

Cheers,
Nick

 

[lowenbrau]

Thanks guys.

I know what you mean about tress.
I do plan on building a cage. Maybe I should do that soon.
And yeah, having the roof top tent up there will make it more tippy.
I just won't do any wheeling with it up to.

I wonder if I could get away with a system like this for 6 months:
I looks like its connected to the metal and not the FRP.
Connected to the front metal cutters and metal rear gutters.
What do you think?

Cheers,
Nick

I believe the gutters are connected to the FRP not any structure below.

Brownbear; I struggled with the whole exo cage thing for a long time and just couldn't get happy with it. It would be effective though.

 

[nickw]

So what would a safe wieght limit be?
For a roof top tent I guess I will need a roll cage.
But without and my current gutter system.
Could I put a 70 pound canoe up there?
Or a few kayak's?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[lowenbrau]

I think the FRPs are fiercely strong. I've crawled all around mine wiht no significant creaking or groaning. If you set up a rack with the gutters side and rear doors and tie it all together you'll probably end up with plenty of strength for canoes etc.

 

[Whistler74]

My hombrew rack came home one day with about 350lb of timbers loaded on top (with a forklift!). Granted, it wasn't off road at all other than the odd frost heave and all the highway construction potholes, but the gutters, and surprisingly, the rack, held up OK.
But, long term the exo-cage is likely the way to go.