L series roof racks - rooftop camper - weight?

benster · Post by **benster** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:25 pm

Will the L series standard roof racks take the weight of a rooftop camper with two people in it?

Maybe more to the point - will the gutters handle the weight at only 4 points of contact?

I've got some ideas for a roof top camper but wasn't sure. Be MUCH easier to use the standard roof racks but if I have to, I'll make something better.

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:04 pm

You'll use a lot more fuel from the drag.

benster · Post by **benster** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:09 pm

Yup... but I'll get out fishing a lot quicker!

Not just that though... who really likes setting up a tent in the dark. I've got a long trip planned and don't want to be setting up a tent every night for a few weeks.

Canberra -> Brisbane -> Alice Springs -> Adeliade -> Canberra and a bunch of other places along the way. I'll leave the tent in the wagon if possible.

Anyway... a tralier camper would be worse on fuel I'd imagine.

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:26 pm

id say no to the weight issues

stamp_licker · Post by **stamp_licker** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:58 pm

benster wrote: Anyway... a tralier camper would be worse on fuel I'd imagine.

Not that bad.I'm running a roof top tent on a small trailer.On a 8000+ km trip fully loaded i was getting almost the same mileage as around town driving.

benster · Post by **benster** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:00 pm

I don't expect the roof top camper to be too bad... it'll have a tapered front. I know it'll hurt fuel economy though.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:08 pm

I wouldn't do it with the two rola style racks. You could fab something up that spreads the load better over three racks though and it should be ok.

Better off towing a trailer and keeping the roof for a tinny :P

benster · Post by **benster** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:10 pm

Haven't got a tinny... early days yet... will probs end up getting one, one day.

Do have an inflatable though... :>

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:44 pm

I used to have a rooftop camper on an MY wagon. I spread the load over three Roofracks that i made specially for it. Worked well but does upset fuel economy

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:51 pm

Why not get four or five roof racks to spread the load? I'm sure the gutter will hold the weight without a problem.

Anything added to the roof will effect fuel economy on the open road, if you're crawling around in the bush most of the time I wouldn't worry about it.

Would be interested to check out what you come up with...

Cheers

Bennie