Your dream Gamiviti rack

[Bigherm22]

So I'm going to pull the trigger and get myself a Gamiviti rack for my 2002 LX in the next couple of weeks. I'm not looking to be persuaded to something different. What I'd like to know from all you Gamiviti lovers out there is which options are your favorite, what you didn't do and wish you had, or what you did add and now find superfluous.

My needs are probably more simple than others: I just don't have enough space inside for even a weekend camping trip once I have the wife, two kids, and the dogs inside. We go back and forth across the pass here in Washington nearly every weekend and it's definitely a cluster. Mostly I want to be able to get bulkier items like coolers, action packers, stoves, skiis, hunting gear etc. up top. I'll probably be adding an awning by the end of the year. I'm intrigued my rooftop tents, but have no immediate plans for one. And yes, I have trailers, but don't want to use them all the time.

Here's my current plan:
-Full Rack: I'd rather have the full versatility now than wish I did later.
-Expo ++: Going to turn it upside down so I have grab handles and tie-down points all the way around. I'm always standing on my back tires as it is.
-Sunroof cutout: I like my sunroof
-Grid floor: Thinking full, but could be persuaded to half. Just seems better for smaller items like gas cans, etc.
-Fairing
-Powder coating
-Towers: Six

Here's some things I'm not really sure about, but am wondering if I won't have regrets later if I don't do it right to start with:
-Light tabs: Comes with four. Should I add more? Where have you guys installed them that you like or don't? I guess I'm thinking more in terms of tie-down points.
-Gussets: I don't even know what these are. Yeah, I'm a dumbass.
-Lights: Never really used extra lights. Do you guys actually find them super useful or more for fun?
-Drop down bar: see above

Anyhow, I've been reading everything you guys have written about this and I'm pretty excited to get it ordered. Just figured I check the collective wisdom one last time. Thanks!

 

[Get outside]

Get all the eight towers and you will have a much sturdier mount.
Since you plan on awning get the receiver hitch for quick disconnect.
Make sure you want to mount it upside down otherwise you'll find out later you should have put it the correct side up - home depot runs and things like that! I have mine with basket side up to have it securing my constant loads and don't have to have a million straps on things! If the basket is down you'll use plenty of straps!
They have extra handle loops available now, just add those for grab handle.
If you aren't doing RTT then you can always add those thule or yakima boxes to hold the extra cargo out of the elements!
I chose to not powder coat mine since I'm always finding a new way to modify it again and again, so I painted it myself and don't feel bad when it's time to remove paint to weld on it. Add some loops and studs from the hardware store for added locking points for those times when you have to use the big straps and their hooks don't fit the mount plate holes (see pic - you'll know what I mean when you have it there).
Plan what you'll add to it like lights and other things.
Good luck

 

[dubitup]

I went full expo +++
6-mounts, didn't see a need to 8.
rear 1/4 mesh, should have gone 1/2
gussets in each corner, these are amazing as tie down points
std 4 light tabs, was plenty for my needs
drop down for LED bar
39" LED bar, friggen bright!
quick install fairing
powder coated
(2) rear LED lights
Awning mounts
What is the lowest profile roof rack option?

 

[Bigherm22]

Get outside: Have any reason to take yours in parking garages much? I can probably do the math, just curious if you find it low enough for that. Don't have to do it often, but since it's my daily driver I occasionally run into garages (pun not intended) where there aren't other parking options.

dubitup: Your pics are some of the ones I'd really been looking at when figuring all this out. Love the rig. Do you strap much in the way of smaller stuff (coolers, propane, etc.) to yours and sometimes wish you had the baskets up? Or does having the mesh floor help deal with that?

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[LEX]

I have a sunroof cutout on mine and sometimes find the need for the extra cross bar(s) that isn't there. I can probably figure out a way
to have one I can mount and dismount when needed. Besides that, I'm really glad I opted for that because I keep my roof open most of the time. I also agree that 6 mounts are plenty.

 

[AimCOtaco]

My take on height is that it's not much if anything past the factory, especially if you run it basket down. I use the occasional garage and it's not an issue for me (tent + lift are more the issue there). My Gamiviti is lower than my old set-up which was Yakima bars on the factory side rails (using yakimas factory adapter towers).

I have an Expo ++ with all 8 towers. If you're going to load it heavy I would go for the extra towers. Light bars are great if you do wheel at night, the big bars can be overkill at sane speeds and I often prefer very little light over a ton of light but it depends on the trail and conditions. The big bars scatter quite a bit which helps seeing over drops and things at lower speeds. Additional camping and backup lights are the more useful to me.

As for floor consider weight, cost, and wind drag/noise when deciding how much to mesh. I have no mesh as I usually have a hard RTT up there. If I did I would be thinking 1/4 - 1/2 but probably not full unless you want to use it as a patio or photo deck full time.

Just my 2c, you can't go wrong here whatever you decide.

 

[dubitup]

@Bigherm22

I have my rack on the lowest setting before it makes contact with the roof with weight on it. I can get into a standard 7 foot garage door, but many parking garages I will not even attempt. I believe I'm near or at 6'7" w/o any gear on top. Once I have my cargo box, it doesn fit anywhere but outside...LOL

Thanks! its been a fun build....never done it seems. I have, I just don't have pix of our camping totes. etc....

I've put fire wood, ladders, miscellaneous things, strapped to the roof by use of the gussets and ratchet straps. I also have a Titan Rod vault that I put on the rack as well as our 16' canoe! I've not really had a need for the basket up, but use it more or a handle to pull myself up, etc...very handy to use. the mesh floor helps a lot with small things, I've also used some ply wood to help things from falling thru etc...

Get outside: Have any reason to take yours in parking garages much? I can probably do the math, just curious if you find it low enough for that. Don't have to do it often, but since it's my daily driver I occasionally run into garages (pun not intended) where there aren't other parking options.

dubitup: Your pics are some of the ones I'd really been looking at when figuring all this out. Love the rig. Do you strap much in the way of smaller stuff (coolers, propane, etc.) to yours and sometimes wish you had the baskets up? Or does having the mesh floor help deal with that?

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[Bigherm22]

@Bigherm22

I have my rack on the lowest setting before it makes contact with the roof with weight on it. I can get into a standard 7 foot garage door, but many parking garages I will not even attempt. I believe I'm near or at 6'7" w/o any gear on top. Once I have my cargo box, it doesn fit anywhere but outside...LOL

Thanks! its been a fun build....never done it seems. I have, I just don't have pix of our camping totes. etc....

I've put fire wood, ladders, miscellaneous things, strapped to the roof by use of the gussets and ratchet straps. I also have a Titan Rod vault that I put on the rack as well as our 16' canoe! I've not really had a need for the basket up, but use it more or a handle to pull myself up, etc...very handy to use. the mesh floor helps a lot with small things, I've also used some ply wood to help things from falling thru etc...

Ok, that Titan Rod Vault is way too cool. Almost enough to make me start fishing more again. You Colorado guys are getting all the fun toys.

 

[dubitup]

I got it on good word that they will deliver anywhere....

Ok, that Titan Rod Vault is way too cool. Almost enough to make me start fishing more again. You Colorado guys are getting all the fun toys.

 

[nakman]

Bigherm, thanks for the consideration, and the thread here. Will do my best to answer your questions above..

-Light tabs: Comes with four. Should I add more? Where have you guys installed them that you like or don't? I guess I'm thinking more in terms of tie-down points.

The standard is 2 in front for a light bar, 2 in back for reverse/camping lights. We've been doing a few recently with side tabs also, for side lights. On mine, I use some for my RTT- makes it easier to bolt that thing on, the spacing is 28" on mine. But the don't stick out, or up, so they're not in the way even if you don't use them. And yes, you just might find you're sticking a bungee cord on one some day.

-Gussets: I don't even know what these are. Yeah, I'm a dumbass.

These are little triangle things we put on the side Expo bar. They kind of finish it out a little nicer, and also add another place to put a strap- I use one of mine a lot when I have my awning out, to keep it tensioned. You could also bolt a quick fist clamp to them for a shovel, or even a couple big bolts for a jack.

-Lights: Never really used extra lights. Do you guys actually find them super useful or more for fun?

the reverse/camp lights super useful. Great for sending a message in a crowded parking lot, and for adding light to a dark camp while you set up/clean up. Front lights probably more for fun- can't really run them on the highway legally, so need to really watch for cars. But it's pretty sweet to just illumify a trail at night, and of course blind your friends at camp.

-Drop down bar: see above

Yes see above. You see how the front bar right on top of the windshield "drops down" 1"? that's is what allows the light bar to fit behind it, and still shoot light out. The bar also shadows the light from your windshield- the shadow is about mid hood. So you don't get any glare inside because of this. And the drop-down also interfaces with the snap-on fairing.

 

[nakman]

Let's talk grids for a minute- I have a love/hate relationship with these. But I continue to work through my issues, and have developed a new solution to this. I'll share first my opinion..

hate: they add weight, about 15-25 pounds. You feel it when you load them to ship them mostly.. but once bolted on really no big deal. They also catch ratchet straps. So if you are used to dragging the loose end of the strap across the rack towards you, forget about it- that dang hook is going to catch every one of those buggers. Also so what if a camping chair falls 2" between the rails and lands on the roof? It's not like it's going anywhere.

love: they do look cool. And it's handy when walking around up there to be able to catch a toe or heel on them. Yes, you can totally stand on them.. and of course smaller gear finds itself a happy home on top of the grid. We run these on the "bottom," so they don't interfere with anything loaded on top of the rack, like your RTT or Home Depot run.

We generally offer the grids in a 3-bar span, and a 6-bar span. And you can be cool like Stan- these were his idea.

 

[nakman]

A little more about lights. I stock the 39.5" single row combo bars you see pictured in a lot of Gamiviti racks. Yes they are Chinese, and they are affordable, and they put out a bunch of light. I also guarantee them, and they ship for free strapped to your rack, or get bolted on for free in my garage if you happen to be local. I also stock the little 6-LED lights we use for reverse lights.. same terms & conditions.

Recently people have been giving me other light bars though. In one case, I think the light bar cost more than the rack itself.. but generally they are from Amazon or Ebay or something, and often not much different from the one I already had in the garage. Point being as long as it's around 50" wide or so or narrower, we will find a way to make your light bar work with your rack. Some options include omitting the drop-down bar altogether, and/or creating custom tabs. As long as you can be a little patient, we will find a way. One example I will post below, I just bolted this one up last weekend, and I like how it came out. This is a 50" curved LED, with essentially an omitted drop-down bar, custom tabs, and angled frame to match the light bar sides.

 

[nakman]

Ok so back to my grid issues. Next Gamiviti exclusive will be called the "drop down basket," and this can be fit between any 3-bar span on your rack. Remember I absolutely abhor stuff that sticks up.. whenever possible I run every accessory under the rack, so the top plane always stays low and clean for clearance and functionality reasons. I have a real life, and tend to go to the Home Depot more than the Maze.. so being able to lob a door or piece of wood up there easily is important, just as it is being able to slide on my RTT. So the basket had to go down, being out of the way of objects above. here's a pic:

 

[nakman]

Oh yeah and we also developed a cover for the sunroof cutout- this was a customer request, they wanted the open sky most of the time, but also wanted the option to load that space up with gear occasionally. So we put weld nuts on some more tabs, made a frame out of angle, more grid, I found some stainless thumb screws so it could be removed without tools. I'm not sure I love this one personally, was thinking of putting a hinge on it at one point, but then I may just leave it off most of the time, I dunno. I could see that 1 big trip though where I wanted to put chairs or something ahead of the RTT, and this would be ideal for that.

I noticed I can hear the wind running through the grid with the sunroof open, definitely more wind noise when it's installed than when it's missing. But with the sunroof closed all I hear is tires again, just like normal. Anyway, another option now.

 

[nakman]

So even with all of these changes, it is still very much a Gamiviti rack. Every rack we make is professionally tig welded, butt joints with inner sleeves, all stainless hardware- and there's a couple Cruisers parked at every step of the supply chain. Thank you again to all of the Gamiviti faithful here, you guys have made it happen and are why we keep making these things- I'll continue to load you up at the next event. et me know if I can answer any other questions, and sweet dreams.

 

[Bigherm22]

Wow Tim, thanks! I'm feeling like my budget just went up. But hey, might as well be first on the block with some of the new toys. Kind of like the idea of the drop down basket. Looks like there's still enough space on the cross bars for rooftop boxes, ski racks, etc. to attach? Sounds like a lot of guys attach tables and stuff underneath. Assume this would prevent that?

 

[nakman]

Correct, if you wanted to slide a table underneath you couldn't also do the drop basket, unless the basket was way far foward (and the table short, and way far back).

And yes to the accessories, your boxes, ski racks, bike racks, etc. will all bolt right up.

 

[linuxgod]

Could you build that drop-down basket to be removable, similar to the sunroof cutout? That way you wouldn't need to decide whether to run the expo rack basket-up or basket-down at the time of manufacture. I like the basket but I hate the commitment.

Alternately (or in addition), could you make the sunroof grid a drop-down basket instead? Personally I wouldn't want to have a basket up there most of the time, but if I needed the extra space to carry anything (jerry cans, luggage, etc) with an RTT already up there the drop down basket seems like it would secure the load a little better.

 

[Jlanewrx]

Just thought Id chime in. I will never buy another rack. Tim's design is the best and it holds my massive tent with no issues. Ive had huge pieces of steel frame up there as well as a couple grown men just hangin out. He even helped me install it when I bought it.

 

[Bigherm22]

Just thought Id chime in. I will never buy another rack. Tim's design is the best and it holds my massive tent with no issues. Ive had huge pieces of steel frame up there as well as a couple grown men just hangin out. He even helped me install it when I bought it.

Damn, that is a big tent. Still think you needed the ++ basket/handrail? When you have guys hanging out up there do you have some of the mesh flooring?