I just got my first 60 and got super excited. The first thing I want to do is to put a safari roof rack on it so I can add a tent later on. Because of the high price tags of those name brand racks, I'd probable have something welded together by a local machine shop. So I started looking for the mounts and came across with Quick-N-Easy Car Top Racks - Set at nrs.com. I'd like to hear what you guys think about these mounts. I plan to order 2 sets with a total of 8, would that suffice for a RTT?
Quick-N-Easy Car Top Racks -- thoughts?
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Sounds like that would be plenty. What size tent are you looking at? They can weigh from 150-200 pounds. I think most tent makers recommend three cross bars, so four should be good. What are you going to use for the cross bars? I used Superstrut (I think that's what it's called) - from home Depot. cut it to size. They come in two flavors 1-5/8" x 13/16" (this is the smaller version) or the 1-5/8" x 1-5/8". the later is the square, very stout (also heavier of course). version. I used the smaller one for cross bars with my 2 person RTT on a trailer. Works very well - I didn't see the need for the heftier version but I only needed a span of 48" or on the trailer, but if you have a larger tent, you might need the more stout bar...Cross bars for the 60 may need to be 56+"? so you might need the heavy stuff.
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@chichiflys the super strut idea is really motivating! I did some quick search and found McMaster carries a wide selection of these ranging from power-coated steel to aluminum, even fiberglass in differenct lengthes!
Regarding the crossbars, I really don't know what size I need. Can someone with experience chime in? Wish I could use 4ft or 5ft without cutting!
Regarding the crossbars, I really don't know what size I need. Can someone with experience chime in? Wish I could use 4ft or 5ft without cutting!
That's a good price. I've seen the same clamps go for twice that
I have round Yakima 58" bars on my truck, so the 60" may be the ticket. 58" Seems to be a good length, but I just have a roof rack/cargo tray with some awnings on it, rarely do I have super heavy things up there. Unfortunately I think you'll have to cut the superstrut to length if you go that route from Home Depot.
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Sounds like 60'' is the way to go and no cutting needed if bought from McMaster.
Per McMaster, "Galvanized steel channel offers better corrosion resistance than zinc-plated steel and can be used outdoors". They don't say anything about powder-coated steel channel is corrosion resistant or not. I guess power-coated steel cannot be used? That sucks because galvanized steel channel would need to be painted!
Per McMaster, "Galvanized steel channel offers better corrosion resistance than zinc-plated steel and can be used outdoors". They don't say anything about powder-coated steel channel is corrosion resistant or not. I guess power-coated steel cannot be used? That sucks because galvanized steel channel would need to be painted!
Powder coated should be good to go - most aftermarket bumpers, etc. are powder coated.
You can Powder coat strut! We do it all the time, for lots of applications. There are many colors to choose from, I would recommend a super durable for UV stability.
I found a 2 sets of these clamps at a used outdoor equipment store for $30. They also had a pile of used Yakima and Thule stuff. It was hard to find the right gutter mounts though. The quick'n'easy clamps ran for season 1 just fine! I did think they stuck up above the roof quite a bit though.
I found a 2 sets of these clamps at a used outdoor equipment store for $30. They also had a pile of used Yakima and Thule stuff. It was hard to find the right gutter mounts though. The quick'n'easy clamps ran for season 1 just fine! I did think they stuck up above the roof quite a bit though.
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ok, I will order the powder coated channels from McMaster then. My design would be: 5ft X 4 as cross bars and 80" X 2 as vertical bars. I will use the "U-Shape Strut Channel Connectors" to put them together.
My question is, how should I put them together to make the rack sturdier? Should I attach the cross bars to the feet and bolt the vertical bars to the cross bars or vice versa?
My question is, how should I put them together to make the rack sturdier? Should I attach the cross bars to the feet and bolt the vertical bars to the cross bars or vice versa?
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That's the bonus of the strut! You can assemble it either way, to see which is stronger for your particular application.
I think if you got the larger size strut (1-5/8x1-5/8) - you won't need the 80" bars. The 5ft. cross bars should be plenty strong. What size tent are you thinking of?
Most tent kits only come with enough brackets to secure the tent to two bars, so probably not a problem if you have 4 bars, only need two for securing the tent, other two would just be for support.
Most tent kits only come with enough brackets to secure the tent to two bars, so probably not a problem if you have 4 bars, only need two for securing the tent, other two would just be for support.
Some pics of RTT on my trailer with the thinner strut bar. The bars are about 48" wide.
Here's my roof rack...
I like those mounts. Would buy them again and again. Also they keep the rack up high enough to get a broom or wash brush under, or snow removal..
I like those mounts. Would buy them again and again. Also they keep the rack up high enough to get a broom or wash brush under, or snow removal..
