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Subject: Roof rack input needed

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Todd Eliason User is Offline
Nights who say Ni, in Sherwood
10/01/2008 10:45 AM Alert 

OK,  So I am thinking of my roof rack options.  Right now I have 2 Yakima bars supporting the roof tent.

My thoughts are:

1. Add 2 additional Yakima bars with a Yakima Mega Warrior basket up fron with the roof tent in the back.  Cost will be approx $500.  Pro is that I already have a somewhat large investment in Yakima accessories.

2. going that route but using Thule equipment instead.

3.  ARB touring rack http://www.arbusa.com/Products/Touring-And-Camping-Gear/Roof-Rack-Cage/44.aspx.  I had an ARB on my old RRC and it was very sturdy.  this is the highest cost option at $900+ but was made for my roof tent.  Not as flexible as the Yakima for using it for other things however, and not easy to take off.

4.  Baja Rack http://www.bajarack.com/exp.html  the expedition model is made for roof tents, but not quite as long or durable as the ARB.  still pretty cool and quite a bit lighter than the ARB.  Cost is $600 but needs yakima bars for install. 

 

Any thought or suggestions for me?

 
1993 RRC LWB - 300TDI
2000 DII
1986 Rollerblades - 33mm mudders
Todd Eliason User is Offline
Nights who say Ni, in Sherwood
10/01/2008 10:47 AM Alert 
By the way, this is going on a Range Rover Classic LWB.
1993 RRC LWB - 300TDI
2000 DII
1986 Rollerblades - 33mm mudders
Ben Bailey User is Offline
Portland
10/01/2008 10:53 AM Alert 

Thule is certainly better than Yakima. I'd probably get 4 Thule crossbars -- cheap, effective, still looks good even without the tent, can still be used for other stuff without the tent. If you have the money, the ARB can't be beat though. They look really good on LWB Rovers too.

By the way, except for my long cross bars, I have bought all my Thule stuff from eBay or Craigs List.
RBBailey
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Dave Waters User is Offline
Renton
10/01/2008 11:56 AM Alert 
Todd....PM sent.
our business is your pleasure.
Craig Miller User is Offline
Mt. Vernon, WA
10/01/2008 12:02 PM Alert 
I like the price/performance point of the Baja rack.

Craig

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Todd Eliason User is Offline
Nights who say Ni, in Sherwood
10/01/2008 12:24 PM Alert 
Wow Dave, you look totally different than I would have expected... Do you work at Microsoft?
1993 RRC LWB - 300TDI
2000 DII
1986 Rollerblades - 33mm mudders
Nate Skate User is Offline
10/01/2008 1:37 PM Alert 
Oh man, I didn't need to know about that ARB rack. Looks perfect for my application, but it seems silly to spend more for something to put the tent on than the tent itself.
Davis M User is Offline
Portland, OR
10/01/2008 4:22 PM Alert 
No experience with any of the racks you mentioned, but I must admit I have yet to need a full-length roof rack for anything. Also, I reckon if a full-length rack is used to support a tent, a large portion of the rack would become wasted weight. Anyway, I favor your idea of bars for the tent and a smaller rack mounted ahead of the tent – that arrangement worked out very well for me this year.

Also, I can’t see a reason to switch from Yakima to Thule as they are both of good quality and most attachments can be fitted to the other brand’s bar using the appropriate parts. That said, I did end up switching to Thule for use with our roof tent because their towers and flat bars made for a slightly lower profile – it saved about an inch or so which makes it possible to get the truck into the garage without too much fuss. As Ben suggested, Craigslist and eBay is a great source since these things never seem to wear out.
Nate Skate User is Offline
10/01/2008 6:07 PM Alert 
Davis, do you have the rain gutter mount racks? My rain gutter mount Yakima racks sticks up about 3"-4" more than I need it to.
Davis M User is Offline
Portland, OR
10/01/2008 7:07 PM Alert 
Nate, nope, the bars are attached directly to the exterior roll cage using Thule's 450 Crossroad towers. That was the lowest profile solution I could find and still allow easy removal. They also work on the factory rails of our other car so the towers get dual duty. Are rain gutter mounts your only option?
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Forums > Gear > Camping > Roof rack input needed


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