Roof gutter rack weight capacity

[Live to Ski]

To the cruiser gods:

Did the search to no avail

Looking to get an idea what the 60 gutters can handle as far as roof rack capacity (yes, I know it depends on rack design).

Basically, have a 4 thule cross member getto rack w. thule gutter mounts. Each cross member can handel 150lb as I think I recall. So, does that mean the cruiser gutters can handle 600 lb?

Is there any toyota guidance as to how much stuff the 60 can handle up there?

Thanks in advance!

 

[rustybucket]

I think the reason no one has answered is because no one dare test there roof if it could damage it. I would talk to some structural sheet metal forums. Do some measurements and see how wide the pillars are. How thick they are. Provide the thickness of the sheet metal to the forums.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

I have carried 200 lbs on my confer rack that sat on just 2 crossbars (4 feet) with no damage or issues.

I commonly carry 4 bundles or firewood, a platic table, camp chairs, and a 40 lb pop up tent up there. My only problem is swaying and high CG but that's based on my suspension and lift.

 

[Mace]

With three supports on each side, me, my wife, two sons and a roof top tent..

So figure 700 lbs or so on the roof?
No big deal

 

[Output Shaft]

I used to have a 1990 designed ARB full length roof rack. Steel. All welded design with a continuous gutter channel support. Super bomber strong.

I've carried WAY too much stuff up there beyond what anyone in their right mind would carry...and driven it off road for months.

No problem at all.
It could have carried more weight, but there was no more room!

 

[Randy88FJ62]

I once read an overland article about how we push the design limits of our gross vehicle weight. You start adding bumpers, drawers, extra fuel, water, etc and we get pretty close to the limits of our trucks.

The landcruiser gutters can take abuse, just use common sense.

 

[HJ61 12HT]

600lb is no problem for driving on normal roads, I've had over twice that weight on my rack, but it is a beefy one.
Off road is another thing entirely the vibrations and stress from corragations will eventually crack something.
Another thing to think about is how much rust might be lurking inside the roof...

 

[Live to Ski]

Hi gang and thanks for the input.

So, in the process of weighing the equipment in anticipation of Mojave road run. Will be putting all the light, non critical stuff (tent/kitchen/firewood/etc.) up there along with gas cans (currently, no other place to put those).

Again, thanks for the input, what a great site!

 

[87CRUSR]

What they said....it can handle more than you should carry due to high COG. I too have done long offroad camping trips with far too much gear on the reinforced confer rack.

 

[Cruzerman]

Have an older gutter mount rack that has three cross members. I've carried full size spare, two cans gas, action packers full of gear, plus me when packing and just trying to get a better view. Taken this on multi-hundred mile outback trips with zero issues. You should have no issues, as long as the weight is distributed between the cross members.

 

[Rugy]

Have my 60 roof loaded with a roof rack, James Baroud tent, wife and I and small misc gear.
Total pushing 650 lbs.

 

[Live to Ski]

Jo Gang,

As most engineers do, we make a simple problem difficult

One of my areas of concern regarding loading/roof racks, is dynamic responses. Shock is not the big issue as it's influence can be maxed out around 3x the load. It's structural harmonics and terrain input (rabbit bumps to road undulations). That can drive the seen load up to 10x the static weight on the rack. Of course....that requires a supercomputer to figure out (just joking there, but one does need a robust computer w. engineering software). I actually see evidence of this as one of the Thule cross members is in fact bending with relatively light load.

Anyway, based on the just completed trip on the Mojave road (actually only got 1/2 way due to non-critical but influential acute medical issues), I have decided to load the rack differently. I shall put on non-frequently used items (tools, spare tire (I carry 2), extraction equip, etc.) on the roof versus the lightest stuff as done previously. Its going to increase the weight alot. But, man I was beat up removing and putting back frequently used items (like the tent) up there during every camp stop.

Anyway, thanks for the input and I am off to design the most perfect rack

 

[lovetoski]

Sorry to hear about the acute medical issue, but glad to hear you'll have the chance to give the trip a second try.

To your original question about weight, and your followup comments about the dynamic aspect of the weight...I'll just add one thing...take a look at some of the internet pics of what 60's are asked to carry on roof racks as empirical evidence of what loads are possible.

As to what you carry on top - agreed that you want the less used items up there. However I despise how my 60 handles with much weight on the roof, so I took my rack off, which also gave me a 1-2mpg improvement in fuel economy.

Here are some other options: How many people will you have in your 60? If no more than 2, consider removing the rear seat, which frees up a huge amount of space. If no more than 3, then put the small/heavy stuff in the rear seat footwell, and you can use the unused seat (and seat belt) to put more stuff. Then, and this to me is a key...consider how much you really need to take with? For example, how about a tire repair kit instead of a 2nd spare tire? Or, if it's a group trip, can you share some of the rarely used items?

 

[MANUCHAO]

All weldeddesign with a continuous gutter channel support.

Probably the strongest/best rack for these rigs..!!

 

[Andy Thompson]

Sorry to hear about the acute medical issue, but glad to hear you'll have the chance to give the trip a second try.

To your original question about weight, and your followup comments about the dynamic aspect of the weight...I'll just add one thing...take a look at some of the internet pics of what 60's are asked to carry on roof racks as empirical evidence of what loads are possible.

As to what you carry on top - agreed that you want the less used items up there. However I despise how my 60 handles with much weight on the roof, so I took my rack off, which also gave me a 1-2mpg improvement in fuel economy.

Here are some other options: How many people will you have in your 60? If no more than 2, consider removing the rear seat, which frees up a huge amount of space. If no more than 3, then put the small/heavy stuff in the rear seat footwell, and you can use the unused seat (and seat belt) to put more stuff. Then, and this to me is a key...consider how much you really need to take with? For example, how about a tire repair kit instead of a 2nd spare tire? Or, if it's a group trip, can you share some of the rarely used items?

Be aware that in the event of an accident, this is the stuff that will kill you in an otherwise survivable accident, which is unfortunate if it's your kid in the back. I try to only carry light stuff like coats and bedding in the passenger compartment, unless I can tie it down. I have a hefty load restrain between the rear of the truck and the back seat where the kids sit

 

[lovetoski]

Be aware that in the event of an accident, this is the stuff that will kill you in an otherwise survivable accident, which is unfortunate if it's your kid in the back. I try to only carry light stuff like coats and bedding in the passenger compartment, unless I can tie it down. I have a heft load restrain between the rear of the truck and the back seat where the kids sit

Glad you mentioned that. Everything in the rear of my truck is lashed down to d-rings bolted to the truck.