Not Logged on
[Register] [Logon] 
Section Image Font Size AdjusterDecrease Font SizeIncrease Font Size  

Roof Racks

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 09, 2007 at 11:19

Coff

Article Overview - Roof Racks, Luggage Trays & Boxes
In this article we look at the pros and cons of using the roof of your vehicle for storage when travelling; discuss what not to carry on your roof; provide some helpful packing hints and finally some useful buying tips with links to suppliers who sel View Full Article...
Hi all, I have a new 100 series TD landcruiser and am currently fitting it out. I cannot decide whether to go with a rackmaster slimline 2 metre or a ECB series 2 roof rack.

I like the idea of the rackmaster but do not know whether it will withstand the corrugations that I travel on regularly around central Australia. The rack will be used for mainly light gear (swags, tents etc) but may also carry a second spare from time to time.

Can anyone advise whether the rackmaster will withstand rough road conditions and whether it will make much difference in fuel economy compared with the ECB.

Another option is to remove the rack when not needed and would be interested in any comments on the removal of either rack.

If anyone has photos of a LC with a rockmaster fitted, I would also be interested in how it looks .....

Thanks
Advertisement
ThreadID: 48554 Replies: 4
Views: 1056 FollowUps: 3
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
AnswerID: 256633   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 09, 2007 at 18:46

Peter 2 replied:

Can't really help with the actual roof rack but go very easy on whatever load you place in the rack as I've seen a few 100's that have cracked the channel in the roof where the rack mounts are. One had virtually no load in the rack whatsoever and never had according to the owner but had covered lots of rough country.
Also make sure that the bolt threads are coated with sealer when fitting as the water will enter if you don't leading to rust and water damage inside.

Click Image to Enlarge
Peter
1988 M1026 Humvee
Member: My Profile
Reply 1 of 4
FollowupID: 517675   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 09, 2007 at 19:09

Crackles posted:

Gaday Pete. The cracks in the roof can often be attributed to the rack being too stiff not flexing when the car articlulates. The 100 series actually has a fairly high roof load rating compared to others.
Cheers Craig...........
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 517678   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 09, 2007 at 19:16

Peter 2 posted:

Craig
I meant to say that the roof rack should be relatively flexible so as to not stress the roof structure.
I'll stick to the Humvee as I can actually walk around on the roof itself without scratching the paint or flexing the roof itself. CARC paint is unbeatable on a bush vehicle.

Click Image to Enlarge
Peter
1988 M1026 Humvee
Member: My Profile
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 256638   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 09, 2007 at 19:01

Crackles replied:

Gaday Coff. I have an ECB alloy rack on my Cruiser & can't fault it. Strong, light & makes no wind noise. I chose the hammertone finish which hides scratches well & looks like new after 6 years. I regulary overload it on the big outback trips with tyres, fuel & camping gear without issue. I occationally remove it leaving the 6 stainless brackets attached to the roof as they are sealed in & would be time consuming to reseal each time.
With a full rack bag it probably contributes to a 2mpg increase in consumption.
Cheers Craig.........
HZJ105 Vic
Reply 2 of 4
AnswerID: 256650   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 09, 2007 at 22:01

Coff replied:

Thanks Craig & Peter, you can't beat personal experience. I think I'll go with the ECB unless I hear from any rackmaster owners.

Cheers

Coff.

Reply 3 of 4
AnswerID: 256769   Submitted: Friday, Aug 10, 2007 at 20:47

Member - Shane D (QLD) replied:

Hi Coff,
I have a rackmaster(oppie lock) on my 105 and I am real happy with it.
I have recently done 11000 kms cross oz via simmo and the old ghan line road to Alice, straight across center to Kalgoorlie and return to Bris with a quick look at Vic high country and think that this would qualify as a good test.
I had my oz tent,complete 2nd spare on split rim, camp table, highlift jack, and shovel mounted directly to rack and had no hint of trouble.
I bought the proper spare wheel attachment,as well as highlift attachment and made my own shovel bracket and used the tracks that in built into the rack so that they where secured to the vehicle without using straps(except tent,camp table).
These excluded items where attached with big black rubber straps thru eyelets that can mounted into rack in any position.
My not so skinny little frame(120kgs) can stand on one cross member with slight distortion,(remembering that the 100 series roof has a 150 kilo limit) leaves me thinking that if anything its over engineered (if loaded correctly) and user friendly not having to lift over sides,as well as having virtually no wind drag(empty)and. . . . i'm raving aren't I
click on my rig pics and there's a photo there
Shane
dunno about ECB, not an agent for OL
Baby Zavier
Click Image to Enlarge
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them!
Member: My Profile
Reply 4 of 4
FollowupID: 518062   Submitted: Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 16:27

Coff posted:

Thanks Shane, looks OK on a cruiser too.

Coff.
FollowUp 1 of 1