Alloy Roof Racks (advice sought)

[fabulous]

After some opinions from the brains trust.

We are after an alloy roof rack for our 07 patrol wagon, after peoples thoughts.

So far for consideration is :

ARB alloy
Blackwidow - but understand you need a Rhino mounting kit as well.
Hannibal
Dolium
Tracklander
TJM ? (to TJM do alloy roof racks?)

Naturally don't want to spend a fortune, but not really wanting the cheap chinese imports - haven't heard great things about them.  Would be interested in approx cost and availability in Melb.

Thoughts / reviews / opinions welcome.

Thanks for you help


Phil & Karen

[Bird]

They are good cause they are light

they are bad cause if they break while away, its hard to get them welded

your having babies, you dont need to spend money

No I havent emailed 4wdvic yet.

[fabulous]

Thanks Bruce,

We need the roof rack BECAUSE we are having the baby.

I can see the car being full with a little bag for Kazz and I, and the rest of the car full of bub's stuff - then if the dog comes out in the car as well......


Oh, by the way - don't forget to call the association.

[Bird]

We need the roof rack BECAUSE we are having the baby.
I can see the car being full with a little bag for Kazz and I, and the rest of the car full of bub's stuff - then if the dog comes out in the car as well......

you should get a camper and use that
I'd recommend one of those small/medium roof baskets and use a canvas roof bag to store stuff in... fullsize racks are just a PITA. The only advantage iwth them is for side awnings.

Oh, by the way - don't forget to call the association.

Im rushing to it now...

[Matto]

Brother-in-law has ordered one of the Tigerz11 alloy racks for his Patrol. It should arrive here in mid-Dec. As such, I've got no first hand experience, but it might be another one to put on your list (unless you class it as one of the cheap imports, which it effectively is).

The other one I've heard good things about is the Tradesman Oval roof racks. I think TJM sell them.

Good luck!
Matto

[Burnsy]

I was looking at putting the boab wincheater on our 105 but the rhino pioneer caught my eye and it is now half fitted,  Very happy with it, the rhino gear is extremely well made and all modular so you can build up or down to suit you wants/needs.

[GUEY]

I like my rhino rack. Came with three bars and the big wide floor basket. Bought it cheap out of the weekend shopper.
Even with the awning on my wife and I can put it on or of in 10mins.
The dearest part was that we bought a msa storage bag.
We have been through some serious rain and everything stayed completely dry.

[Moto Mech]

Buy a BRAND name rack(from what I hear Tigerz 11 isnt one) but make sure your alloy rack has steel mounting legs. This is where early all aluminium racks failed.

[Burnsy]

Buy a BRAND name rack(from what I hear Tigerz 11 isnt one) but make sure your alloy rack has steel mounting legs. This is where early all aluminium racks failed.

Or the proven moulded plastic ones of the rhino series.

[Dazz49]

Rhino pioneer racks are great and there are plenty of accessories you can add to it later, if you want.

[Squalo]

From what I have heard, the Tigerz11 alloy racks will bend if you look at them the wrong way.

As for cracking when out in the sticks, alloy has come a long way in the last 10-20 years. You rarely hear about good brands of alloy racks failing these days.

I've had a full length Chinese rack and since removing it I have no inclination to refit it again. Apart from the fact that it takes three people to fit, it drops the car a good inch due to its weight, and it's rusting too so either I'd need to clean it up and repaint it, or be forever cleaning rust stains off the roof of the Patrol. It also makes the vehicle too high for pretty much any under-building carpark, they average 2.1m clearance and the highest seems to be 2.3m - but I'm around 2.4m with the big rack fitted.

Instead I have opted for a combination set-up - I have a set of aero bars that I fit a Thule pod to, when I don't need to carry heaps of gear - say for a weekend away leaving the CT at home. The pod is great because it is water and dust proof, and lockable.

I also have a set of Rhino heavy duty bars, that I want to supplement with a third and maybe fourth bar. These can carry my 2.5m long awning on the side, and my 1.2m rear awning, plus take a basket of some sort for additional load duties (I'm still working out the basket option but a Rhino alloy tray is looking good).

And both sets of bars (minus the pod, which is a 2 minute job to remove) keep the overall height low enough for most carparks.

The big rack is now on the father in law's 60 Series and as far as I'm concerned it can stay there...

[Bird]

We need the roof rack BECAUSE we are having the baby.

Congrats to Phil and Kaz,
Baby Girl - all well and going well

[Squalo]

Awesome news 

[dav]

Track lander are a good rack.  Very quite. Congrats on the baby. 

[dazzler]

Hi

Have you thought of fitting alloy cross bars from thule or rhino or roll?

Then add the specific accessory to attach what you are carrying. 

Need a basket - add one.
Canoe rack - add one.
Using it for timber around the yard - use it bare.
When you get home take em off to save fuel, carpark issues etc.

Its cheaper but the quality is excellent - just add when you need.

[Sixtys Guy]

Hi

Have you thought of fitting alloy cross bars from thule or rhino or roll?

Then add the specific accessory to attach what you are carrying. 

Need a basket - add one.
Canoe rack - add one.
Using it for timber around the yard - use it bare.
When you get home take em off to save fuel, carpark issues etc.

Its cheaper but the quality is excellent - just add when you need.

X2 for rhino. It's an automatic add on for any vehicles (including work) that we purchase.

[MR MAC GU]

I have a TJM alloy rack with mesh floor.

I have had it heavily loaded many times with spare wheel, Jerry cans plus all the camping gear for 5 people with no issues.

It has been to cape York , Kakado and the gulf, Simpson desert 3 times, flinders ranges, snowy mountains, oodnadatta track etc etc with no problems,

I have seen on my travels... The inlaws rhino racks slide forward about 30 cm at the bottom of a Simpson dune, a rhino rack completely fall off a patrol on the corrogations at cape York. Two steel racks that have cracked due to rusting internally in the frame. I think one was a brand name and the other wasn't.

Never seen a quality one piece alloy rack fail...

My 2c


Sent from Behind you...BOO

[rescue1]

Definite yes for Rhino Rack, but as I'm a dealer I'm probably biased [yes there is a MySwag discount]

[oldmate]

I have a full length rhino on 3 legs and love it. Plenty of accessories can be added also.
Mind you i did only pay $250 for the basket and it had only been used once. But it is a great rack

[dazzler]

. But it is a great rack

Is there anything better?   

[oldmate]

   nup

[Teabag]

IMO, Tradesman Oval Alloy Roof Rackes are the best on th market. Worth considering. Yes, I'm biased as I have the full length version on mine and cannot recommend highly enough.....Very easy to get on and off...Very light....

http://www.tradesmanroofracks.com.au/products/roof-rack-styles/4wd-roof-racks/oval-tubing.aspx

[jeb1900]

I've got a Tracklander 1.6m.  Very happy so far!

[fabulous]

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions, Sorry it's taken a little whiile to come back to you, but as Bruce said, we had a the birth of our little girl.  Mum and Bub are now home doing great.

I went to TJM (Coburg) a week or so ago, and they had a couple of options.

Yes the Rhino bars and a basket
Tradesman Oval Tube rack for around $1250
Blackwidow alloy for $1500.

I'm warming to the idea of the tradesmans - they look pretty good and a little cheaper than the ARB and the Blackwidow.

I would probably be sticking with a named brand.

Thanks for your feedback so far.


A pround new dad - Phil

[oldmate]

Congrats Dad!:)