Club 80-90 Forums

Just a random thought, I was thinking about adding a roof terrace to my tin top.
Will the poor roof take the weight?

All in the owners handbook.

mmm, a 100kg. That's not much.
Is this the maximum limit for driving or actual structural strength. I'd be looking for a minimum of 200kg (2 people, chairs, umbrella etc)

I don't believe the manual says, so I doubt anyone is going to give you a stone cold guarantee that everything will be peachy. However, I believe there are people who've put a roof tent on theirs, which presumably means the weight of a couple of adults plus a roof rack. That still doesn't mean your plan is a good one though. Caveat emptor, etc.

I've posted what the manual says!

You need to look for an ex-BW viewing platform.

the 100kilo max is the legal driving limit, the roof will take a lot more weight when you're parked up and partying.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I've posted what the manual says!

I could see that.

The point I was making is that the manual doesn't say whether it's the limit in respect of dynamic loading i.e. the effect of the load on the roof as you're driving along, or static loading i.e. piling lots of stuff on top when your van is stationary. I even added the bit about roof tents to try and underline the difference, unless you think that's an appropriate place for a couple of adults to travel.

The figure quoted for roof load would, I assume, mean load on roofrack when traveling. Note (4) states "load evenly and do not exceed gvw". So it would seem from the table of weights:-GVW minus ULW of VAN (ie base naked pannel van) gives you a pay load of 935kg. If you want to load roofrack to it`s max then you have a max payload of 835kg for van equipment,luggage,fixtures and fittings and passengers. Bet 835
kg don`t go far when you tot up weight ofeverything in van!

clift_d wrote:

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I've posted what the manual says!

I could see that.

The point I was making is that the manual doesn't say whether it's the limit in respect of dynamic loading i.e. the effect of the load on the roof as you're driving along, or static loading i.e. piling lots of stuff on top when your van is stationary. I even added the bit about roof tents to try and underline the difference, unless you think that's an appropriate place for a couple of adults to travel.

the manual doesn't always state word for word what should be obvious to anyone who's actually qualified to drive a car..............

course maybe i'm just too well trained, we had hand signals as well on my test.

clift_d wrote:

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I've posted what the manual says!

I could see that.

The point I was making is that the manual doesn't say whether it's the limit in respect of dynamic loading i.e. the effect of the load on the roof as you're driving along, or static loading i.e. piling lots of stuff on top when your van is stationary. I even added the bit about roof tents to try and underline the difference, unless you think that's an appropriate place for a couple of adults to travel.

If 100kg was all the roof structure would stand whilst parked up, then the dynamic loads in play would very quickly cause serious fun'n'games once you started to drive...

I think it can be taken as read that the handbook numbers are driving, and that static loads will be higher.

AdrianC wrote:If 100kg was all the roof structure would stand whilst parked up, then the dynamic loads in play would very quickly cause serious fun'n'games once you started to drive...

I think it can be taken as read that the handbook numbers are driving, and that static loads will be higher.

I know that but the OP did ask for clarification in their second post...

pfield69 wrote:mmm, a 100kg. That's not much.
Is this the maximum limit for driving or actual structural strength. I'd be looking for a minimum of 200kg (2 people, chairs, umbrella etc)