roof rack

[packie88]

okay so i dont have a factory roof rack, and with winter coming i want something i can throw my snowboards up on top and not have to haul them in the vehicle. so i figure i could get some aftermarket rails.

 

 

roof rails

 

what do you guys think, as good as any or just crap

[mws]

Those actually look darned impressive to me... This is the first time I've seen them.

 

They look beefy enough to distribute the load quite well - they look beefier than factory - so you should be able to put at least a couple hundred pounds up there without caving in the roof. As always, you would want to mount them as close to the outer edges as possible for maximum strength.

 

Anybody have any personal experience with them?

[mws]

After going to Surco's website and looking some more, I am even more interested in them for our Frankenvan.

I am designing a rack and winch system to carry a second quad on the roof and need a way to distribute the 400 pound load to avoid caving in the roof. These look nearly perfect! Thanks for making me aware of them!

I'm thinking I may put a 3" wide plate underneath to spread the load width wise, but having a track mount solution will be sweet.

Mount these tracks permanently, then fab up three crossbars, wheel rails, winch, ramps and bingo! Frankenvan gains even more capability!

Edited November 8, 2006 by mws

[packie88]

yeah i was looking for a cheaper route than the standard yakima/thule cuase therer towers are like 200+ dollars, so i think im going to order a set of these today or tommorow

[mws]

You do realize these are just the longitudinal (front to rear) mounting rails and you still need to get cross bars to strap the boards to, right?

[Trainman]

Only issue I would have is this statement: "These Surco Roof Rider rails will allow you to attach a Surco roof rack to any vehicle."

 

You need to check out the other parts you need as well, looks like you would be limited to Surco products so check out a whole package for what you need to carry.

 

The do not look much different than the rails on my 02.

 

Interesting they do not list the load capacity for the rails.

[mws]

Looking at the feet on Surco's CH100 channel adapters, it looks real easy to make my own feet to fit in the rails.

 

http://www.surcoinc.com/surco.html

 

Here's a better pic of the adapter:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...+0&autoview=sku

Edited November 8, 2006 by mws

[mws]

The do not look much different than the rails on my 02.

 

Interesting they do not list the load capacity for the rails.

Point 1: I think they would be pretty similar. The CH100 feet supposedly attach to these rails and most factory rails.

 

Point 2: I had the same concern. Then as I thought about it, I realized the real limitation will always be the strength and rigidity of the vehicle roof and where the installer put it on the roof. If you put them near the middle of a flat and thin roof with minimal cross bracing, a load of even 50 pounds would likely buckle the roof. But near the side edges of a thick and well engineered roof, my quick calcs (based on my estimate of their size and assuming 2024 aluminum) show the tracks could easily support a couple to several hundred pounds of well distributed load.

[Precise1]

Looking at the feet on Surco's CH100 channel adapters, it looks real easy to make

 

Yes, simplicity. Just a variation of the T slot nut...

 

the real limitation will always be the strength and rigidity of the vehicle roof and where the installer put it on the roof.

 

Yep. The trick is to mount a subframe to the roof of say 6"x1/8 (wider is better) to provide a stable platform and reinforce the roof while spreading the weight and providing ample mounting points. Bolt plates on the underside are highly recommended! Then mount the rack points through that and you should have a stable, reinforced base which will allow 400lb deadweight, but I question vibration and shockload/shear strength. How solid is that roof to begin with ?

 

Yes packie, that seems like just rails and not enough to carry anything without crossmembers. Yakima seems popular and strong, Thule also... Try searching here for the information, I know I have seen several discussions.

Check the parts for sale or try posting in the parts wanted section. You may find one cheap or try a local wrecker. A stock rack would do what you want just fine...

 

B

[packie88]

i kno its just the rails and i would need the cross bars. i was trying to find a cheaper alternative to the thule or yakima cause they ar eexpensive. and i dont have hte factory rails. i want a safari style rack and something that can carry snowboards/ skis.

[RedPath88]

As B mentioned, you can probably get a good rack from a wrecker for cheap... and it really does not even have to be a factory one either.

 

The one on mine (see sig pic) is not Nissan and I paid $15 for it.. took only a little modifications to make it fit

[Guest SuperSon]

Itll be nice to get one from an xterra.I like those beefy looking carriers

[Mr. Pickles]

You can find Yakima ones at junkyards and eBay for cheap. I paid I think like $70 for the towers and cross bars, then bought the ski/snowboard carrier for another $30 or so, its been a while. Very very strong.

 

You say you don't have factory rails. Are you referring to roof rack rails, or the gutter/rails that the Yak's mount to? Cause yes you do there, they're inside the door jam and the Yak clips slide in there to attach.

[Pavelow Leaks]

If you're thinkin about xterra roof racks, it seems like the frontier mega cab one would work better...since it has a flat roof. just my .02

[packie88]

thinking im getting a thule, off ebay, found all the parts on ebay and can do i t for like 150 so ima going that route, do you know if you can get a baket then but the ski/snowboards mounts on that, cause htat would be a pain to have to switch them out

[dagwoodzz]

I got a stock rack from the j/y for $20.

 

It's kind of flimsy but can handle snow boards.

[Guest SuperSon]

thinking im getting a thule, off ebay, found all the parts on ebay and can do i t for like 150 so ima going that route, do you know if you can get a baket then but the ski/snowboards mounts on that, cause htat would be a pain to have to  switch them out

You can add any attachment to thule or yakima.I have a thule rack and a yakima basket.Get the loadbar 50 if you decide to get the thule set coz the bars doesnt stick way out like the loadbar 58 If you decide to get the thule and need a fitkit 60 leeme know.I have a new one.

 

Also if youre looking at a $150 thule on ebay make sure it has locks for the foot pack :cool2:

 

 

Heres mine

 

 

That front fairing can be folded down if you want to put skis or snowboard.

Edited November 11, 2006 by SuperSon

[packie88]

how would the snowboards clip down to the top piece. alirght ended up buying a yakima set of towers, do you think the 48inch crossbars would do or should i go bigger.. gonna go buy the locks new down at gi joes or something like that. so if i get a basket its not really nescarry to get a ski/snowboard rack is it.

[Guest SuperSon]

how would the snowboards clip down to the top piece. alirght ended up buying a yakima set of towers, do you think the 48inch crossbars would do or should i go bigger.. gonna go buy the locks new down at gi joes or something like that. so if i get a basket its not really nescarry to get a ski/snowboard rack is it.

Itll lay flat on the basket and just strap it down.Like I said,That front fairing folds down so you can load long objects in the basket.

 

48 might be short. Id go with the 50 .Mine is a 50 and still have a bit left on both ends. Thule rack or yakima too probably recquires you to get a 58 but itll stick way out.

Edited November 11, 2006 by SuperSon