I would like to ask the pro's a technical question.
Can I attach a roofrack to my standard Gen3 shorty rack?
Obviously not for a rooftop tent or heavy loads etc but possibly 2x25l jerry cans, a gas bottle, shovel and axe.
If not does anyone have a design for brackets that can be attached to the towbar or spare wheel.
gordonb
Hi Gordonb,
When you say "std roofrack" do you mean the load bars already on the vehicle?
If yes, you can buy a "grab-on" type rack (frontrunner is an example) that can take light'ish items.
This is what their website says:
http://www.frontrunner.co.za/fr_products/roofracks.php
"Please note that the grab on roof rack is designed to carry light weight items such as: Roof top tents, Chairs, Transit bags, Tables, big bulky – light weight items, Spare wheel brackets. (on the roof rack only – not load bars)
Under no circumstances should the following be fitted to a grab on system: Jerry cans, Water containers, Heavy point load items"
They mention that jerry cans shouldn't be carried on these racks - I've read about people doing this without hassles, but can't comment on the impact on the vehicle and the safety of this.
Cheers,
D
When you say "std roofrack" do you mean the load bars already on the vehicle?
If yes, you can buy a "grab-on" type rack (frontrunner is an example) that can take light'ish items.
This is what their website says:
http://www.frontrunner.co.za/fr_products/roofracks.php
"Please note that the grab on roof rack is designed to carry light weight items such as: Roof top tents, Chairs, Transit bags, Tables, big bulky – light weight items, Spare wheel brackets. (on the roof rack only – not load bars)
Under no circumstances should the following be fitted to a grab on system: Jerry cans, Water containers, Heavy point load items"
They mention that jerry cans shouldn't be carried on these racks - I've read about people doing this without hassles, but can't comment on the impact on the vehicle and the safety of this.
Cheers,
D
Pajero 3.2 DID LWB GLX
Pajero 3.2 DiD SWB [SOLD]
Pajero 3.2 DiD SWB [SOLD]
Gordonb,
You requested some info on the standard roof rack of the Pajero. Sorry for only replying now - my "net" was of the air for a while.
The following might be of value:
The "pillars" of the standard roof rack are made of plastic (the plastic may have a fancy name, but basically they are plastic) and the whole rack is rated to carry about 70kg only.
The problem with roof racks are not the downward pressure or load, but the forward and rearward dynamic loads when accelerating or braking and when turning.
On our first trip I loaded fuel and a lot of other "light" stuff on the roof rack believing that it would be OK. When unloading after the trip I saw that the there were big gaps between the "pillars" and the roof indicating that they were basically disintegrating due to the dynamic loads on them when travelling. This forced me to rethink about carrying anything on the standard roof rack.
I took the standard roof rack off the car and took one of the centre "pillars" to a friend and asked him to machine six similar "pillars" out of solid aluminium. These then replaced the two centre "pillars" plus I added two extra per side equi-distant between the standard "pillars". In the back of the "pillars" two holes per '"pillar" were drilled and tapped to take 8mm bolts. Inside the front and rear "pillars" I installed metal brackets - also drilled and tapped to take 8mm bolts - and with the six small "pillars" plus the four corner "pillars" I have a proper roof rack that still looks like the original except for the extra "pillars". These nobody seem to notice.
When we go on a trip and I need the roof rack, I attach six angle-iron brackets onto the "pillars" and attach cross bars (rectangular tubing) to them and all the roof "stuff" goes there - rooftop tent, extra fuel, wood, steel bins with all the gas braai kit in them, etc.
Cloyd.
You requested some info on the standard roof rack of the Pajero. Sorry for only replying now - my "net" was of the air for a while.
The following might be of value:
The "pillars" of the standard roof rack are made of plastic (the plastic may have a fancy name, but basically they are plastic) and the whole rack is rated to carry about 70kg only.
The problem with roof racks are not the downward pressure or load, but the forward and rearward dynamic loads when accelerating or braking and when turning.
On our first trip I loaded fuel and a lot of other "light" stuff on the roof rack believing that it would be OK. When unloading after the trip I saw that the there were big gaps between the "pillars" and the roof indicating that they were basically disintegrating due to the dynamic loads on them when travelling. This forced me to rethink about carrying anything on the standard roof rack.
I took the standard roof rack off the car and took one of the centre "pillars" to a friend and asked him to machine six similar "pillars" out of solid aluminium. These then replaced the two centre "pillars" plus I added two extra per side equi-distant between the standard "pillars". In the back of the "pillars" two holes per '"pillar" were drilled and tapped to take 8mm bolts. Inside the front and rear "pillars" I installed metal brackets - also drilled and tapped to take 8mm bolts - and with the six small "pillars" plus the four corner "pillars" I have a proper roof rack that still looks like the original except for the extra "pillars". These nobody seem to notice.
When we go on a trip and I need the roof rack, I attach six angle-iron brackets onto the "pillars" and attach cross bars (rectangular tubing) to them and all the roof "stuff" goes there - rooftop tent, extra fuel, wood, steel bins with all the gas braai kit in them, etc.
Cloyd.
I have the Hannibal Alluminium tracks on my roof. Bought it like that. Does anyone know how much they can be loaded on a CK pajero? I had the same tracks on my previous vehicle, '86 D/C hilux. They seem to be very strong and spread the load accross the roof as I loaded three jerry cans six crates on the cab and a Rooftop tent on the cannopy of the Hilux. I suspect the Pajero won't be so forgiving. Still need to modify my old racks to suit the Pajero and basically need to know if the Roof top tent can still go back on?
Cloyd,
Thanks a lot for the valuable feedback. Looks like you have prevented me from making an expensive mistake. I will follow in your footsteps regarding the modifications.
This is the value of belonging to a club where there is unlimited knowledge and skills.
gordonb.
Thanks a lot for the valuable feedback. Looks like you have prevented me from making an expensive mistake. I will follow in your footsteps regarding the modifications.
This is the value of belonging to a club where there is unlimited knowledge and skills.
gordonb.
GordonB,
Something else, if you want to go my way, I would suggest that you also get a price form a foundry to cast the centre "pillars". I had mine machined on a milling machine and it took qiut a long time. I think getting a foundry to cast them and then only do the finishing on a milling machine will be a lot cheaper and possibly faster. If you do go the casting route, pse keep me informed - I think to have a second set ready for a newer Pajero in the future will solve future hassles.
Cloyd.
Something else, if you want to go my way, I would suggest that you also get a price form a foundry to cast the centre "pillars". I had mine machined on a milling machine and it took qiut a long time. I think getting a foundry to cast them and then only do the finishing on a milling machine will be a lot cheaper and possibly faster. If you do go the casting route, pse keep me informed - I think to have a second set ready for a newer Pajero in the future will solve future hassles.
Cloyd.
Hi Cloyd and Gordonb,
Have you guys got any sketches on the loadbar pillars, if so would post them on the forum.
I got a shorty and space is always a problem loading and would like to go cloyd way. Do you still use the existing corner pillars,I'm thinking of fitting new corner pillars with one centre pillar per side all made out of alu with new loadbar similar to the existing profile also out of alu to be able to use my grab-on roofrack.
Gert
Have you guys got any sketches on the loadbar pillars, if so would post them on the forum.
I got a shorty and space is always a problem loading and would like to go cloyd way. Do you still use the existing corner pillars,I'm thinking of fitting new corner pillars with one centre pillar per side all made out of alu with new loadbar similar to the existing profile also out of alu to be able to use my grab-on roofrack.
Gert
Gert,
Ons afrikaners is darem dom om met mekaar engels te praat maar dan is goeie maniere ook 'n kenmerk van die afrikaners.
The front and rear pillars on the standard roof rack are also "plastic". I removed mine, took the "plastic" covers off and then installed metal brackets onside the "plastic". The vertical arms were drilled ant tapped to take 8mm high tensile bolts. The horizontal parts were drilled and attach to the normal holes were the standard pillars are located. With the "plastic" bits back into place it is impossible to see the metal brackets.
On all the vertical pillars (10 in total) I mount specially made angle iron brackets and on them I mount rectangular tubing crossbars. These serve as my roof rack.
We have been on a number of trips without any hassle.
Cloyd
Ons afrikaners is darem dom om met mekaar engels te praat maar dan is goeie maniere ook 'n kenmerk van die afrikaners.
The front and rear pillars on the standard roof rack are also "plastic". I removed mine, took the "plastic" covers off and then installed metal brackets onside the "plastic". The vertical arms were drilled ant tapped to take 8mm high tensile bolts. The horizontal parts were drilled and attach to the normal holes were the standard pillars are located. With the "plastic" bits back into place it is impossible to see the metal brackets.
On all the vertical pillars (10 in total) I mount specially made angle iron brackets and on them I mount rectangular tubing crossbars. These serve as my roof rack.
We have been on a number of trips without any hassle.
Cloyd
Getr,
Mostert na die maal!
The existing horizontal bars that run from the front to the back are still there but their only purpose is to keep the roof rack looking like a standard rack - albeit with three centre pillars per side. Very few people notice the extra centre pillars and are normally quite surprise when you point the extra pillars out to them.
Cloyd
Mostert na die maal!
The existing horizontal bars that run from the front to the back are still there but their only purpose is to keep the roof rack looking like a standard rack - albeit with three centre pillars per side. Very few people notice the extra centre pillars and are normally quite surprise when you point the extra pillars out to them.
Cloyd
Hi Cloyd,
Thanks for your rapid responce. I've still got time to do the mod, planning a trip to Angola in June 2013, still have a few other mods to do i.e Spare wheel swingarm on towbar, drawer system etc.
Gert
Thanks for your rapid responce. I've still got time to do the mod, planning a trip to Angola in June 2013, still have a few other mods to do i.e Spare wheel swingarm on towbar, drawer system etc.
Gert