roof racks

[dirtygertie]

this may seem like a daft question....but if I put a small roof rack on the front of my roof will I still be able to use my canopy and awning? - does anyone use both at the same time?

I have some roof bars that were attached to the actual roof when I bought the van, and if I can't use the canopy/awning with a proper retro roof rack I may as well see what I can do with these

[andisnewsyncro]

We have a full length roof rack and fit the awning to the lower rail of that rather than the gutter, works fine and you get a bit of fresh air through too. A small rack at front or back of the roof probably won't get in the way, but it's all dependant on how long your awning & roof rack is..

[wee bugger]

we have roof bars over the cab and still can fit awning or canopy - they both start from B pillar(?) back...

only pic i can find at the moment -

[BaaaadSlider]

we had a roof rack on the back of our tin top and found that we couldnt attach the awining or sun canopy without losening the roof rack off which was a bit of a pain.

[dirtygertie]

Thanks guys....it looks like I'll be adjusting the roof bars cos I've just seen the price of roof racks!

in my girlie mind it looks a pretty simple thing to do - the roof bars were actually bolted to the front of the roof when we bought it so the holes are there albeit filled up, its a square shape so i thought about putting some wooden slats on it and prehaps getting someone (i don't yet know who or how ) to maybe make me a rail to put around it so the stuff stays on - I was going to use copper piping but Nige recons it won't be strong enough .....then all the metal can be painted black

like I say, it seems simple in my girlie mind but hubby's a little less optimistic that my efforts will work

[1664]

like I say, it seems simple in my girlie mind but hubby's a little less optimistic that my efforts will work

my money's on hubby

[72BUG]

Karen this is the one I had on mine before I put the hitop on. Don't know how your awning fits but mine had a channel that some plastic pipe went through and this then clipped into the gutter on the van. All I did was chopped the plastic pipe so it left a space where the roof rack was attached to the gutters. Worked quite well.

This is the roof rack I was telling you about if it's any good to you. Although it's probably overkill for what you want. It's lightweight aluminium and quite strong. You could probably spray it black.

[RODEO]

Dirtygertie....Just my 2p....how about fitting the slats ,then using a cargo type net to hold all the stuff in/on the rack? OR screw wood round the perimeter of the slats ,standing up ,say,3" to stop stuff falling off?

[dirtygertie]

Dirtygertie....Just my 2p....how about fitting the slats ,then using a cargo type net to hold all the stuff in/on the rack? OR screw wood round the perimeter of the slats ,standing up ,say,3" to stop stuff falling off?

Heeeey! good Idea.......

[The Bobdogs]

And just to add a footnote....
You get a lot less wind noise with the rack mounted at the back. Moved mine because the buffeting noise got on my wick!

[a1winchester]

- I was going to use copper piping but Nige recons it won't be strong enough .....then all the metal can be painted black

It's not a good idea to mix different metals as it sets up galvanic action (like a battery), and one of the metals is sacrificed (corrodes). Even bolts and rivets can do this when fixed to other disimilar metals.

I adapted a thingy I got from a saddlery, which was a net for putting hay in when a horse is bored out of it's brain in a horse box. A couple of snips here and there, a couple of knots, and it made a good mini cargo net. Cheap too.

[dirtygertie]

And just to add a footnote....
You get a lot less wind noise with the rack mounted at the back. Moved mine because the buffeting noise got on my wick!

I can understand that Andy, but being a vertically challenged individual I would need to stand on the wheel arch when the front doors are open to get anything off it.......I've tried reaching the roof whilst standing on the rear bumper and I can only just about reach a couple of inches in.

[1664]

I've tried reaching the roof whilst standing on the rear bumper and I can only just about reach a couple of inches in.

add a tailgate ladder to your shopping list - very handy

[RODEO]

For a small front rack or a large one ,you could use steel conduit. If you know a friendly electrician,he could bend it up for you.You can get 2 0r 3 metre lengths for about £6 ,its galvanised so a coat of paint and it will look smart ..Ive done them before,made all sorts. It can be bent without a proper former without it kinking/collapsing.I usually bend mine (oo er) round an old brake drum held in the vice.

[dirtygertie]

If you know a friendly electrician,he could bend it up for you.

**snigger** that'll be hubby then........I can't imagine he'll turn down a request like that from me!!!!