Roof: Load Limits and Cages

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

No luck finding answers via search so I'll throw it out there and hopefully someone has answers....

1. What is the maximum safe load for the 90 Series roof? I have seen mention of anywhere between 50 and 100kgs which in essance would mean that a) a roof cage is the maximum weight without additional cargo or b) me, at 6'4 and 110kg wouldn't be able to sleep in a roof top tent (I'm not looking at roof top tents, that is just to highlight my query). The reason I ask is to determine what roof racking system will best suit my needs (I say my needs as we all have varying plans for how we intend to carry stuff.

2. Following on from above... I have been looking at a roof cage. From ARB these are about $1500 for the "deluxe" with mesh floor. Has anyone tried, tested, have any knowledge regarding the quality of similar cages from suppliers such as Powerful 4x4 http://www.powerful4x4.com.au/estore/pr ... 311&page=1 or Extreme Limits Offroad (not currently listed on their site as they are out of stock). Both these suppliers and others also list on eBay (see below links for others). I am looking at the 2200 (full length) cage. Any information or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TOYOTA-LANDCRUIS ... 6768129487

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TOYOTA-LANDCRUIS ... 3a5e78a488

[sebfox Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sebfox]

Re: Roof: Load Limits and Cages

Hi

I have had the ARB full length alloy roof rack for about 18 months now and done a couple of long trips including Cape York without any problems Even though it’s lighter than the steel unit it's still a job getting it on and off the roof. From memory it weighs less than 40Kg including the mounting kit. So this leaves 60Kg (100Kg is the Prado 90 roof weight limit) for the lighter things that I use it to store.

With regards to the max roof weight limit I had assumed that this applied to the vehicle whilst in motion because of the effects this weight that high up would have on the vehicles handling and braking characteristics. The rack and mounting are pretty strong so I wouldn’t have any concerns about using it with a roof top tent. But definitely check with the manufacturer first about that.

Also there is a post in the 120 section that covers this topic as well "ARB Alloy or Steel Roof Rack"

Regards
Sebastien

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

Re: Roof: Load Limits and Cages

Yes the 100kg limit is the safe load whist moving/braking/turning/crashing :shock:

I have an aluminium full length basket on three rails....as you can see in my car pic to the right --->

It will support me quite easily whilst I'm packing the basket & I'm 95% of 100kg :shock:

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

Re: Roof: Load Limits and Cages

Yes the 100kg limit is the safe load whist moving/braking/turning/crashing :shock:

I have an aluminium full length basket on three rails....as you can see in my car pic to the right --->

It will support me quite easily whilst I'm packing the basket & I'm 95% of 100kg :shock:

I contacted Rhino about the weights of their equipment. I was suprised to find that the weight of 3 Heavy Duty bars and a alloy basket was only ~10kg lighter then the steel roof rack kit I was looking at (which weighs in at about 50kg). Really limits what you can carry up top!

[jjgsxr1000 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jjgsxr1000]

Re: Roof: Load Limits and Cages

I was thinking of a roof cage and a rooftop tent, but sounds like it might be out.

Better keep saving for that Trailer :-)

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

I know it's a looong way down the track, but I finally bought a roof cage. I bought a full length steel unit from Iron Ox. I ended up doing a few trips without roof racks to determine what it is I'd actually put up there and the list was quite short. Things like my swag, maybe the touring tent, chainsaw and fuel jerries x 2. Additionally, I'd be mounting rear working lights, front spotties x 4, side awning and some strip lighting down the side and across the rear. All-in-all that won't be a great deal of weight and and meant I couldn't justify a $1,5oo rack. I picked up the Irox Ox kit for ~$400 shipped.

Thanks to everyone who assisted with info on and off the thread, it's amazing how much a little information can steer one's selection.

Oh, and I have a hi-lift jack and shovel holder mount coming from Extreme Limits Off-Road.

[light5light Member Find all posts View Profile Close light5light]

I think RogueAussie found the right roofrack and no need more reply.

I just want to add some information from my TJM alloy roofrack 1.8m which is about 40kg or less a little.

We did a trip to Tasmania last year with those on top:

+ My spare wheel with rim (almost 40kg i think).
+ 4 x 20L can but with full of water inside (LOL, we prepared a lot of water to make sure we can cook on the way in case we could not get a caravan park on time, and they worked well with our plan) - so another 80kg.
+ some other stuffs which should be about 20kg.

So total was 140kg loads + 40kg roofrack = 180kg

It was very fine without any small problem. I even got a big problem when going down so far on Trial Harbour beach and got stuck right on the water edge for 1/2h with sand. But finally got out of the issue by jumping on rocks, and the roof + loads were all fine.

** and when i was on the top to pack all things together, it would add me in with 65kg more on top to give it ~245kg. Nothing showing that the roof of the car has any small impact. Feel very solid though.

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

If you're going to carry that much water and only have the roof to store it, you should look into buying a water storage tank from a 4wd equipment supplier contoured to fit in various places inside the vehicle. They sell all different shapes and sizes. The max load limit for a moving 90 series is 100kg. I believe the main issue is so you're roof load doesn't contribute to roll over on a cambered slope. This load limit would also allow for worst case scenios while driving such as significant dips in the road where the downward force of the weight can multiply momentarily, very rough roads and lots of corrugations. I never thought it'd really hurt to go a little over but the thought of having 180kg on the roof when driving the car would worry me a little.

The roof gutters combined can hold a few hundred of kilos when stationary due to people sleeping in rooftop tents, etc.

Just to give you an idea check out the link below (sold by any 4wd equipment/RV store) and have a look at the water tank designed to sit on the floor behind the two front seats, and the other to sit upright directly behind the rear seat. This one has straps to be tied to a cage or the rear seat so it sits vertically. It'll be safer to carry lots of water this way.

http://www.tjmbrendale.com.au/browse...me_once=iframe

[light5light Member Find all posts View Profile Close light5light]

If you're going to carry that much water and only have the roof to store it, you should look into buying a water storage tank from a 4wd equipment supplier contoured to fit in various places inside the vehicle. They sell all different shapes and sizes. The max load limit for a moving 90 series is 100kg. I believe the main issue is so you're roof load doesn't contribute to roll over on a cambered slope. This load limit would also allow for worst case scenios while driving such as significant dips in the road where the downward force of the weight can multiply momentarily, very rough roads and lots of corrugations. I never thought it'd really hurt to go a little over but the thought of having 180kg on the roof when driving the car would worry me a little.

The roof gutters combined can hold a few hundred of kilos when stationary due to people sleeping in rooftop tents, etc.

Just to give you an idea check out the link below (sold by any 4wd equipment/RV store) and have a look at the water tank designed to sit on the floor behind the two front seats, and the other to sit upright directly behind the rear seat. This one has straps to be tied to a cage or the rear seat so it sits vertically. It'll be safer to carry lots of water this way.

http://www.tjmbrendale.com.au/browse...me_once=iframe

Thanks Brett, actually that was happened more than 1 year ago, and at that time i was so rush to prepare for my trip which we spent time on the car as a bed room and kitchen car trip. It was a lot of fun with that way.

Atm, I am using a 22ft caravan with 400 L water tanks underneath, so absolutely will not carry that much on the roof again when we go on trips. Also, currently on the roof is my roof-box, which mainly keeps my tennis stuff and some others.

[teamdevo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close teamdevo]

Hey james
I am not trying to be smart here but wouldnt a 22ft van with 400litres/kgs of water on board be pushing your towing capicty to its limit as well thats a lot of weight you are dragging around with you so i would have thought you now have a weight problem behind you instead of on your roof considering your towing capacity is only 2500kgs just a thought and in regards to the original thread the weight is 100kgs static so whilst driving its more like 4-500kgs jumping around on your roof i have seen vehicles break gutters with to much on there roof racks just be careful with anything you put up there

[light5light Member Find all posts View Profile Close light5light]

Hey james
I am not trying to be smart here but wouldnt a 22ft van with 400litres/kgs of water on board be pushing your towing capicty to its limit as well thats a lot of weight you are dragging around with you so i would have thought you now have a weight problem behind you instead of on your roof considering your towing capacity is only 2500kgs just a thought and in regards to the original thread the weight is 100kgs static so whilst driving its more like 4-500kgs jumping around on your roof i have seen vehicles break gutters with to much on there roof racks just be careful with anything you put up there

Thanks mate for good advices. My caravan was registered with 1500kg tare weight, so if it has 400L water underneath, it will be up to almost 2T only.

I agree that 180kg load I got before was quite extreme. Should not be used for a long time.

However, I also don't think that limit of 100kg on the roof is constant with all kind of roof racks if in case your roof does not have rust.

Reason because Toyota seem (i may be wrong) only creates the kind of roof rack with 6 points to attach to the roof for my rig. However, many other third party roof racks don't use this method. They have a long flat leg to stay right on the roof, then 6 points with 6 small legs for the top part of the roof rack welded on (mine is aluminum TJM with 1.7m long aluminum leg). This kind of roof rack should give you better load limit than the original factory roof rack as they reduce stress along the gutters.

By the way, just my opinion and experience. If we don't have to put a heavy loads on the roof for a long time, we won't do.