Roof rack solution that wouldn't break the bank (EU)? (1 Viewer)

[RockDriver]

I've been exploring roof racks and was surprised how expensive they are and not easy to source, at least here in Europe. My LC comes without the roof rails, just 3 plastic strip covers on each side with 2 bolts under each one of them.

I don't suppose there's a universal roof rack with LC100 fastening kit out there? Looks and non-perfect dimensions don't bother me and I don't need any LED gimmicks and such.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I would suggest buying the rack feet from a vendor like Gamiviti or Prinsu, having them shipped to you, and then fabbing your own platform that can attach to those.

 

[Kabanstva]

Ordering anything from the US is going to cost you an arm and a leg unfortunately. Your best bet is an aluminum (bolt together) kit. Shipping a welded rack would probably cost more than your car is worth.

 

[Kabanstva]

I would suggest buying the rack feet from a vendor like Gamiviti or Prinsu, having them shipped to you, and then fabbing your own platform that can attach to those.

He’s in Europe though. A gamiviti rack is over a grand before shipping.

 

[GTV]

He’s in Europe though. A gamiviti rack is over a grand before shipping.

The feet alone are small and easy to ship.

 

[whitec13]

He’s in Europe though. A gamiviti rack is over a grand before shipping.

I believe he was referring to the feet only from them, and building on them.

 

[RockDriver]

I would suggest buying the rack feet from a vendor like Gamiviti or Prinsu, having them shipped to you, and then fabbing your own platform that can attach to those.

Are they actually called "feet"? I've been looking on Gamiviti website, but I can't find those. Got a link by any chance?

 

[Exiled]

Have you tried Bison Gear? I think they're out of Poland and I've been impressed with some of their gear. I know they sell roof racks, a modular design similar to Prinsu (maybe too similar?). I'm not affiliated but have admired their products:

Roof Racks | Bison Gear - Bison-gear.com

Introducing the Bison Gear Roof Racks - durable, practical & easy-to-install off-road, 4x4, overlanding accessory. Ready for adventures. Order now!

bison-gear.com

 

[RockDriver]

Have you tried Bison Gear? I think they're out of Poland and I've been impressed with some of their gear. I know they sell roof racks, a modular design similar to Prinsu (maybe too similar?). I'm not affiliated but have admired their products:

Roof Racks | Bison Gear - Bison-gear.com

Introducing the Bison Gear Roof Racks - durable, practical & easy-to-install off-road, 4x4, overlanding accessory. Ready for adventures. Order now!

bison-gear.com

Thanks, I've checked out their website, but it doesn't look that they have a rack for LC100. Unfortunately here in Europe, the Prado is a lot more popular - no shortage of roof racks for 120/150/250 series.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

He’s in Europe though. A gamiviti rack is over a grand before shipping.

I said just the feet, those are really the only things that are "special" in the hole distance and height of the piece, the side pieces and crossbars can be more more generic. Just those should easily fit in a smaller box.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Are they actually called "feet"? I've been looking on Gamiviti website, but I can't find those. Got a link by any chance?

They may not list them separately on their site, try contacting them.

EDIT - looks like they're on the site, called "towers" and even have international shipping.

 

[hoser]

Used won't break the bank. Just find one locally with suitable dimensions and then get the 100 specific Feet/Towers or Load bars.

Or, about 10 years ago, lots of folks were using aluminum ATV ramps and converting them into roof racks. Again, with the towers/load bars.

 

[DFXR]

I've been exploring roof racks and was surprised how expensive they are and not easy to source, at least here in Europe. My LC comes without the roof rails, just 3 plastic strip covers on each side with 2 bolts under each one of them.

I don't suppose there's a universal roof rack with LC100 fastening kit out there? Looks and non-perfect dimensions don't bother me and I don't need any LED gimmicks and such.

Roof Channel Towers — Gamiviti

www.gamiviti.com

The "two bolts" part is unclear to me. In my roof channels, once you remove the factory roof rack and black plastic strips, there are 3 or 4 sets of two threaded holes on each side. That's what the Gamiviti towers are made for. Maybe post a pic.

Otherwise, what they ^ said above. I bought 3 sets of Gamiviti towers, and made my own 3 crossbars out of 1"x2" 6061 aluminum rectangular tube with radiused corners. This is a common and easy to find size here, and I would bet there's a very similar metric version where you are.

The cross bars were roughly $45 each. I added plastic end caps for a finished look, also easily available.

There are plenty of other types of extrusions out there that would work just as well.

 

[RockDriver]

Roof Channel Towers — Gamiviti

www.gamiviti.com

The "two bolts" part is unclear to me. In my roof channels, once you remove the factory roof rack and black plastic strips, there are 3 or 4 sets of two threaded holes on each side. That's what the Gamiviti towers are made for. Maybe post a pic.

Otherwise, what they ^ said above. I bought 3 sets of Gamiviti towers, and made my own 3 crossbars out of 1"x2" 6061 aluminum rectangular tube with radiused corners. This is a common and easy to find size here, and I would bet there's a very similar metric version where you are.

The cross bars were roughly $45 each. I added plastic end caps for a finished look, also easily available.

There are plenty of other types of extrusions out there that would work just as well.

I pulled up all 3 covers on one side of my roof channel.
This is the rear one:

This is the middle one:

This is the front one:

So it turns out there are 3 bolts in the middle, not 2, for some reason.

I did the math on the set of 6 Gamviti towers - including international shipping, customs, etc, it will be 400 USD by the time it reaches my door. That's just the towers, I'd still need the rack itself. So it's not really worth it, I did a little digging around and I could get a brand new rack with everything for around 700 euro, some company makes them in Poland or whatever.

Anyway, I have a line on a used custom made for LC100 stainless steel rack for like 400 euro (about the same in USD), waiting for the guy to send me pictures.

I never thought a few metal tubes welded together would be so expensive.

 

[Tentsontop]

Where in Northern Europe are you? I've had good luck finding kit on eBay.co.uk, eBay.de. France/Spain/Italy are okay, but Poland, Czech do great custom work that is affordable. Good things pop up in Austria from time to time as well.

 

[RockDriver]

Where in Northern Europe are you? I've had good luck finding kit on eBay.co.uk, eBay.de. France/Spain/Italy are okay, but Poland, Czech do great custom work that is affordable. Good things pop up in Austria from time to time as well.

In the end I went with OEM style roof bars from Aliexpress and a pair of Thule cross bars. I did find a custom platform rack for a decent price, but it's not the kind that you can put on and take off fast. I was very surprised on just how much drag such a rack mounted permanently would introduce hence reducing fuel economy significantly.

 

[Tentsontop]

In the end I went with OEM style roof bars from Aliexpress and a pair of Thule cross bars. I did find a custom platform rack for a decent price, but it's not the kind that you can put on and take off fast. I was very surprised on just how much drag such a rack mounted permanently would introduce hence reducing fuel economy significantly.

I wouldn't think it would be all that much drag. I've had a few full size racks. The best were the African Outback and one unobtainium I imported from Japan. I just run two Thule aerobars now. My awning and tent are bolted to them and hang in the garage until I need to use them. I don't run a rack/tent all year.