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L series roof racks - rooftop camper - weight?
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:25 pm
by benster
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.
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:04 pm
by Phizinza
You'll use a lot more fuel from the drag.
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:09 pm
by benster
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.
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:26 pm
by Matatak
id say no to the weight issues
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:58 pm
by stamp_licker
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.
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:00 pm
by benster
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.
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:08 pm
by Ben
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
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:10 pm
by benster
Haven't got a tinny... early days yet... will probs end up getting one, one day.
Do have an inflatable though... :>
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:44 pm
by Jeff
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
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:51 pm
by El_Freddo
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