full length roof rack, platform, who has made one?

[dirty-syncro-lover]

hi guy's im making a full length roof platform that is solid right through, going to use roof rack's that clamp on so i can take it off, but i want it too be smooth in profile so will have a front deflector and side's

any one got and advice or inspiration for me?

hope to use it for general work,solar panel's, and strapping thing's too and in the future a home made roof tent, or similar.

looking at aluminium or foam grp sandwich, or ply grp sandwich, thinking i may get some added insulation if i do it right, to keep cool in summer and warmer i winter?

[hotpod]

a mates bay window van had a brilliant full roof rack years ago which used 1" weldmesh ( 3mm steel wire fused together making 1" squares if that makes sense) as a deck, it was very strong and was confortable to sit and lie on as it was. the bonus was it obviously lets the wind through and the rack is therfore not trying to rip off the roof at high speeds. probably lighter than a solid deck too.
the outer frame was 1.5" erw tube, and the whole thing was satin black powdercoated.
it is how i will make the full length rack for my doka
when i get round to it.

[dirty-syncro-lover]

thank's dan
yep i was thinking along those line's maybe expanded metal for the base?
depend's how you would support and how often

there's some lovely one's on a german site for the t5 4 motion it's black foot plate and is all sealed around the edge so it's like an extra roof kinda!

think i would do similar and just have holes' that i could get in to to tighten, untighten the low profile roof bar's!

[syncropaddy]

Inspired yet ??

[dirty-syncro-lover]

yep
that's the sort of thing, would be so useful for me !!
any more close up's or info.
is it your's?

[syncropaddy]

No it isn't mine but they are a very expensive German product and if you look at the pics closely you will see their web address engrained therein. I think it's http://www.gb-mount.de" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I'm currently in an airport on my iPhone so I can't see the pics clearly enough

[Mickyfin]

That does look the dogs. Love it.

[v-lux]

Being the owner of a full length roof rack, if i were to make a custom rack i would have it in three parts. Front - Middle - Rear.

This way you can have a full length rack for carrying long stuff, but for the rest of the time you could remove the middle section, move the front section back to join the rear section and have it 3/4 length. I havn't tried it, but i have a hunch that the noise in the cab would be dramatically reduced if the rack started behind your head.

I find i rarely need the whole length of the rack (except when im working through the summer).

[bikermike87]

does anyone know where I could find a small rack to mount some spot lights onto. I just want some lights at the front on the van (it's a tin top btw)
cheers

[dirty-syncro-lover]

for the spot light's just use a roof rack, or search ebay as they have clamp on one's there!

for the rack i would be almost building a new roof so i would enclose the side's and the front with a little spoiler type piece, i would have all the air travelling strait over and not through any part of it!

love the idea of the modular 3 piece rack, but would need load's of mounting point's i only have 3 rack's which i was going to build off!

[dirty-syncro-lover]

here's the t5 one

http://www.terranger.de/epages/62914780 ... 401-10-001" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

achgepäckträger, high version, suitable for T5 short wheelbase
Order no. TA-T5-401-10-001

Walk-in roof rack made ​​of aluminum tread plate

suitable for VW T5 with standard roof and short wheelbase

*
Specially developed for large and heavy loads roof rack
*
Solid aluminum welded frame construction manager in
*
Foreign and loading areas from tread plate
*
The attachment to the vehicle takes place at the eight original mounting points using stainless steel beam stainless screws
*
Natural aluminum surface
* The roof racks are two storage compartments that can be introduced from two flaps are loaded
* The walk-in cargo area is covered with tread plate and is suitable for the transport of such Aluminum boxes to 120 cm width. Rotating the slide down the edge secures cargo against
* The following accessories and enhancements are available as options:
o
Additional lights, these can be mounted in front of the anterior oblique outer surface are
o
powder coated or painted surface
o
Aluminum ladder that can be inserted from the rear under the cargo area

nice, but nice price too

[Mickyfin]

does anyone know where I could find a small rack to mount some spot lights onto. I just want some lights at the front on the van (it's a tin top btw)
cheers

Have you considered using a single roof bar, and putting the spotlights onto that?

[jed the spread]

I collected a few bits and peaces and bolted together a long roof rack and spot light bar. Most of the bits were painted in black gloss or something and it was bushed on really rough and it was all chipped.





Its been on for a good while now so while my van is off the road having an upgraded engine fitted the rack and light bar have been stripped down partly repainted properly, new stainless steel washers and bolts fitted, slightly re arranged to suit what gear I carry on camping trips etc and is actually looking rather good if I do say so myself. Its rigged up in the back garden at the moment on some chairs, I will see if I can take a picture in the daylight.

jed

[syncropaddy]

Is this what you are after?

[jed the spread]

Here are a couple of pictures, just because its Sunday and I dont have a working van and I am board.















jed