Who likes a big rack?
- Thread starter Anak
- Start date
FJ Montana
Rank IV
Enthusiast III
I like it! What are you putting yours on? I have a fun length roof rack on my FJ and I do love it but man with that much space it's always tempting to carry more stuff and then it just becomes so top heavy.
Inventor I
- 3,886
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Zimmer
- Member #
-
30139
- Service Branch
- USN (ret)
If you put all your gear up there, you'll have enough room in the cab for a goat and 6 chickens. LOL.
Nice work sir.
Zim
Nice work sir.
Zim
lhoffm4
Rank III
Advocate I
Great minds...! I built a “fun sized” (yes, I’m stealing your phraseology) rack over my 8 ft truck bed trailer. Built to be an over topper rack (just have not acquired the right topper yet) that extends to the front of the truck cab (trailer tongue).
It started life as a contractor rack, but now it holds my rtt (Smittybilt Overlander XL) that is set up to open to the rear of the trailer/annex off the back. I thought about having the entire tent (when open) be supported by the rack, but opted to let it hang over so I could use the annex. That leaves me about 10ft (of the 14ft) deck for low profile box storage for travel as well as an elevated patio of sorts when in camp.
I went ahead and welded in an expanded metal deck, removeable guard rails, and even a take down tube steel roof /awning up there that can be covered with a tarp for additional shade if camping in the desert or high country with little cover.
I hung another awning w/tent (Rhino-Rack) off the passenger side of the trailer and had enough room on the rack (forward of the awning) to build a portable shower/bathroom into a rifle case. The original plan was to mount a road shower style tank on the rack above the shower stall, but that is still in design phase. For now an Ivation shower that pumps water from a 5gal kettle I boil water in, is what I’m using. I can also use that set up to wash dishes when cooking so I may just stay with that for a while, while searching for a suitable tank to build into a solar water tank.
I built a 180 batwing awning off the rack on the driver side of the trailer that I am working on getting a tarp made for. It runs the 8 ft length of the bed and opens 8 ft in both directions as well as 8ft out. I May eventually have the walls made for it to provide even more respit area to escape the merciless Sun or rain of the High Desert areas we like to roam about in Idaho.
I like having options. The large sturdy roof rack over the truck bed trailer allows lots of deployment options, depending on the location, group size (mostly family), or need for space out of the elements (hunting, fishing, camping, etc).
My wife thinks I’m nuts, building my “Jed-Glampit” monstrosity, but I can, so I do. And no one that jokes and kids me about it complains too much when the inevitable rain comes while we are out and there is PLENTY of covered space to hang out and be comfortable at base camp in. Plus I can detach the truck and go chase critters or sight see or trail run and come back to camp and usually a well made and appreciated dinner in camp (since someone always wants to stay in camp and relax and/or keep an eye on things) at least in our group...
So “go big...” be creative as you build your rack and build up your rig. Adventures await and are much more fun when you and your crew (wife, kids, etc) are dry and comfortable. I can always only deploy what is needed and don’t always deploy everything, but in another life I learned a couple things regarding gear... “I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it” and “Why go Alpine when you can Assault the mountain”.
Im still learning to travel light...the struggle IS real!
It started life as a contractor rack, but now it holds my rtt (Smittybilt Overlander XL) that is set up to open to the rear of the trailer/annex off the back. I thought about having the entire tent (when open) be supported by the rack, but opted to let it hang over so I could use the annex. That leaves me about 10ft (of the 14ft) deck for low profile box storage for travel as well as an elevated patio of sorts when in camp.
I went ahead and welded in an expanded metal deck, removeable guard rails, and even a take down tube steel roof /awning up there that can be covered with a tarp for additional shade if camping in the desert or high country with little cover.
I hung another awning w/tent (Rhino-Rack) off the passenger side of the trailer and had enough room on the rack (forward of the awning) to build a portable shower/bathroom into a rifle case. The original plan was to mount a road shower style tank on the rack above the shower stall, but that is still in design phase. For now an Ivation shower that pumps water from a 5gal kettle I boil water in, is what I’m using. I can also use that set up to wash dishes when cooking so I may just stay with that for a while, while searching for a suitable tank to build into a solar water tank.
I built a 180 batwing awning off the rack on the driver side of the trailer that I am working on getting a tarp made for. It runs the 8 ft length of the bed and opens 8 ft in both directions as well as 8ft out. I May eventually have the walls made for it to provide even more respit area to escape the merciless Sun or rain of the High Desert areas we like to roam about in Idaho.
I like having options. The large sturdy roof rack over the truck bed trailer allows lots of deployment options, depending on the location, group size (mostly family), or need for space out of the elements (hunting, fishing, camping, etc).
My wife thinks I’m nuts, building my “Jed-Glampit” monstrosity, but I can, so I do. And no one that jokes and kids me about it complains too much when the inevitable rain comes while we are out and there is PLENTY of covered space to hang out and be comfortable at base camp in. Plus I can detach the truck and go chase critters or sight see or trail run and come back to camp and usually a well made and appreciated dinner in camp (since someone always wants to stay in camp and relax and/or keep an eye on things) at least in our group...
So “go big...” be creative as you build your rack and build up your rig. Adventures await and are much more fun when you and your crew (wife, kids, etc) are dry and comfortable. I can always only deploy what is needed and don’t always deploy everything, but in another life I learned a couple things regarding gear... “I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it” and “Why go Alpine when you can Assault the mountain”.
Im still learning to travel light...the struggle IS real!
I love it! I have a 12' 6" long rack that fits around my shell. My truck is a 4door 8' bed. I does look like a oversized lumber rack with 5 cross members. I also have a old Confer rack that rides up there for fuels, trash and smalls. Mine was designed to and does carry my kayak and surfboards. I also use it for a side shade when traveling light and fast.
If you get wind noise from your rack, a rope wrapped around the piping will help a lot.
If you get wind noise from your rack, a rope wrapped around the piping will help a lot.
things that can be seen from space
1. great wall
2. grand canyon
3. anak's rack
that is a good looking rack and some very nice bends on the corners. that would be a good size for an RV or camp trailer...lots of mounting and tie down points
very nice!
1. great wall
2. grand canyon
3. anak's rack
that is a good looking rack and some very nice bends on the corners. that would be a good size for an RV or camp trailer...lots of mounting and tie down points
very nice!
lhoffm4
Rank III
Advocate I
Aren’t Yaks extinct? Now a Beefalo, I can understand... that rack would hold one for sure!
I never thought about using rope for that. In my experience round pipe/tube tends not to be too noisy, but square (or anything else with a flat edge) sure can be.
I have some extruded aluminum roof rails that made a horrendous howling noise. I think the biggest issue with them is the slot all the way down the length. I gave up on them on account of the noise. Wrapping them with rope might turn that picture around. Thank you.
A first fit check:
Just a bit of extra overhang.
I think The Varmints see it as a potential jungle gym.
Just a bit of extra overhang.
I think The Varmints see it as a potential jungle gym.
lhoffm4
Rank III
Advocate I
Ok, that is a super-sized rack for your vehicle! Will you run supports to the 4 corners of the rack to the bumpers?
You have what appears to be 3-4 feet of rack overhanging both ends of the roof. If it were a steel rack, I would not be as concerned, but aluminum may present some challenges. Assuming the tent will sit over the vehicle roof, what else do you plan to carry besides the kayak(s)? I would be concerned with the static/dynamic load on the roof. If this rack is mounted to the OEM roof rack, it may sheer off due to wind while rolling at highway speeds?
the size of the rack you made seems more appropriate to be on top of a passenger van or box truck... Maybe I just don’t yet see your vision?
You have what appears to be 3-4 feet of rack overhanging both ends of the roof. If it were a steel rack, I would not be as concerned, but aluminum may present some challenges. Assuming the tent will sit over the vehicle roof, what else do you plan to carry besides the kayak(s)? I would be concerned with the static/dynamic load on the roof. If this rack is mounted to the OEM roof rack, it may sheer off due to wind while rolling at highway speeds?
the size of the rack you made seems more appropriate to be on top of a passenger van or box truck... Maybe I just don’t yet see your vision?
lhoffm4
Rank III
Advocate I
Member III
- 2,827
- First Name
- Tom
- Last Name
- Houston
- Member #
-
8300
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- WØNUT Extra
Don't even try to figure out what is going on inside Anak's head. That is a deep dark place you really would not want to go.
zgfiredude
Rank VI
Steward I
I really only see 1 potential issue with this.....
Navigating the drive-thru at Dunkin' Donuts could be a challenge!
Member III
- 2,827
- First Name
- Tom
- Last Name
- Houston
- Member #
-
8300
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- WØNUT Extra
See?Welding galvanized... that explains a lot.
The pieces all eventually fall into place.
Member III
- 2,827
- First Name
- Tom
- Last Name
- Houston
- Member #
-
8300
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- WØNUT Extra
Instead of using poop pipe like normal people, you use conduit?
