Hi PP'ers
I am considering building my own roof platform to extend the storage space of the Prado. I have the 3-bar heavy duty roof racks from Toyota which is identical to the commercial roof racks from Rhino-Rack. Currently I have a home made roof platform that is 1850x900mm. It is basically the base of a steel bed with mesh. It will make do for now but it is not exactly heavy duty.
The Rhino-Rack Platform Basket (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCa...ge_328_50.aspx) would suit me to a tea but the longest is 1600mm long. I have 2 roof bags measuring 900x900mm each.
I find that a 2m long platform would be quite ideal so I went off to design several versions. Below is the latest version.
ISO view
Top view
Front view
I would have gone with a mesh basket or alloy tray but every fortnight, I have to carry band equipment, so I need something without sides for easy loading/unloading. Rhino-Rack also has the alloy platform racks (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCa...ack_318_6.aspx) but I find that the planks aren't as solid as I think it is and there are no tie down points between the planks.
I also noticed that a few PP'ers have the Wind Cheetah platform where each plank has a slot in the middle to take an eyebolt and place it anywhere on the plank. This is very versatile but at $1350, is a bit pricey. The lateral planks also would lead to more wind noise compared to the longitudinal planks.
I would like to get your opinion on the design to see what you guys think:
1. For those with the Rhino-Rack alloy tray, how do you find the versatility of the eyebolts in tying down things like milk crates?
2. How do you find the noise level with roof platforms and trays?
3. My planks are currently open ended. Should I close it up?
4. My planks are currently not tied to other planks at either ends. Should I put another flat bar to tie the ends together?
5. Is it necessary to put a wind deflector on? If the planks are open ended, this might not be necessary. With the platform being used every fortnight, it might stay on the car permanently, so I would like to optimise fuel consumption as much as possible.
Any other comments and suggestions?
I am considering building my own roof platform to extend the storage space of the Prado. I have the 3-bar heavy duty roof racks from Toyota which is identical to the commercial roof racks from Rhino-Rack. Currently I have a home made roof platform that is 1850x900mm. It is basically the base of a steel bed with mesh. It will make do for now but it is not exactly heavy duty.
The Rhino-Rack Platform Basket (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCa...ge_328_50.aspx) would suit me to a tea but the longest is 1600mm long. I have 2 roof bags measuring 900x900mm each.
I find that a 2m long platform would be quite ideal so I went off to design several versions. Below is the latest version.
- The green bar is the nut rail that slides into the channel of the roof rack. Made from 32x10 ally
The pink planks are 100x25x2.5 ally RHS and are spaced 100mm apart. I'm using M10 SHCS to bolt the bottom of the planks to the nut rail. The top surface of the RHS is a dia. 20mm clearance hole. So I'm not crushing the RHS.
In between the planks are M10 tapped holes to receive M10 eyebolts (red coloured part).
On the driver's side, I have added 2 Quick Fists as shovel holders.
ISO view
Top view
Front view
I would have gone with a mesh basket or alloy tray but every fortnight, I have to carry band equipment, so I need something without sides for easy loading/unloading. Rhino-Rack also has the alloy platform racks (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCa...ack_318_6.aspx) but I find that the planks aren't as solid as I think it is and there are no tie down points between the planks.
I also noticed that a few PP'ers have the Wind Cheetah platform where each plank has a slot in the middle to take an eyebolt and place it anywhere on the plank. This is very versatile but at $1350, is a bit pricey. The lateral planks also would lead to more wind noise compared to the longitudinal planks.
I would like to get your opinion on the design to see what you guys think:
1. For those with the Rhino-Rack alloy tray, how do you find the versatility of the eyebolts in tying down things like milk crates?
2. How do you find the noise level with roof platforms and trays?
3. My planks are currently open ended. Should I close it up?
4. My planks are currently not tied to other planks at either ends. Should I put another flat bar to tie the ends together?
5. Is it necessary to put a wind deflector on? If the planks are open ended, this might not be necessary. With the platform being used every fortnight, it might stay on the car permanently, so I would like to optimise fuel consumption as much as possible.
Any other comments and suggestions?
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