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  • Big trip - roof platform - what do you put on it?

    I'm planning a trip to do The Gibb with a camper and a family of 5. I've been thinking of getting a roof tray / platform but I cant figure out what would be practical to store on it. We are going to be short of space... but there are issues with using the roof.

    1. It cant hold much... 100kgs and don't want to load it up too much to keep the car stable
    2. Anything that goes up there gets covered in dust. In fact the car will be filthy so getting something from the roof will get me dirty.
    3. Don't need a spare. I have one on the back of the car and two on the camper.
    4. Don't need fuel/water. 60l of fuel in the camper and 120l of water. I also plan some spare water in the car with one of those flexy tanks in the footwell.

    I could put a dust sealed storage bag for dirty washing, spare clothes and general kids stuff. Basically anything i only need to access occasionally rather than daily. Other items i can think of are:
    Kids bikes
    Generator
    Fishing rods
    Maxtraxs
    Awning

    Has anyone got any other suggestions / ideas?
    2012 Prado Altitude v6
    [SIZE=2]ARB BAR | IPF SPOTTIES | BILSTEINS | LOVELLS | POLYAIR | MICKEY THOMPSONS 265/70/R17 | WHISPBAR RACKS | REDARC BCDC | 82AH AUX | ICOM 440N | RFI CDQ5000 | LED LIGHTING | ARB COMPRESSOR | ROADSAFE RECOVERY POINTS | TG150 | AMTS REAR TYRE SPACER AND LIGHT POLE | MAXTRAX | ARB AWNING | OUTBACK CAMPER [/SIZE]

  • #2
    I think trax, awning, shovel, anything that got wet or muddy, ability to collect firewood.
    But if u can get away without it then do that.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Anth120playdo View Post
      I think trax, awning, shovel, anything that got wet or muddy, ability to collect firewood.
      But if u can get away without it then do that.
      Firewood is a good idea. My camper is a soft top so I cant just drop it on the cover.

      I suspect I'll have to have one due to space. Just trying to figure out how to work it all. I don't want to get to a few days before the trip and realise my stuff wont all fit. I see lots of cars with them but not much on em!
      2012 Prado Altitude v6
      [SIZE=2]ARB BAR | IPF SPOTTIES | BILSTEINS | LOVELLS | POLYAIR | MICKEY THOMPSONS 265/70/R17 | WHISPBAR RACKS | REDARC BCDC | 82AH AUX | ICOM 440N | RFI CDQ5000 | LED LIGHTING | ARB COMPRESSOR | ROADSAFE RECOVERY POINTS | TG150 | AMTS REAR TYRE SPACER AND LIGHT POLE | MAXTRAX | ARB AWNING | OUTBACK CAMPER [/SIZE]

      Comment


      • #4
        Madjak, ive got a rhino pioneer rack on top of my 150 prado, carries awning, shovel, 100mm pipe for fishing rods, couple of led lights on rear and soon hi-lift jack. when we head away our camp chairs and tent go up there as well as a small folding table.

        Its good to get that bulky stuff out of the way on trips, but for day to day driving they can be a bit of a hassel (height and im sure fuel consumption would slightly go up)

        We are heading up to Gnaraloo over easter, but after that no more trips planned for a while, so may even take it off for a bit as its only 6 bolts

        Comment


        • #5
          I too have a rhino platform. Shovel and high lift, second spare and swags go up there for me. With a 2 inch lift car parks can be problematic. I changed my CB aerial on the bullbar so it's a fraction higher than my roof set up, it works as an early warning system for me when I try to park.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by NthQldprado View Post
            it works as an early warning system for me when I try to park.
            By chance, my aerial is the perfect height to warn of clearance issues. It's been already well used by my wife!

            With the roof rail mounts, the Rhino Platform with awning will pretty much sit at the same height as my existing roof rack and awning. If I got one it would stay on the roof permanently as I use my racks for timber, ladders and other stuff quite often.

            Are there any good ladder options for the Prado? I've seen the strap on rear wheel steps that would be ok to use. It would still be quite a step to get up onto them though. I currently use my rear wheels as platforms to stand on to access the roof racks.
            2012 Prado Altitude v6
            [SIZE=2]ARB BAR | IPF SPOTTIES | BILSTEINS | LOVELLS | POLYAIR | MICKEY THOMPSONS 265/70/R17 | WHISPBAR RACKS | REDARC BCDC | 82AH AUX | ICOM 440N | RFI CDQ5000 | LED LIGHTING | ARB COMPRESSOR | ROADSAFE RECOVERY POINTS | TG150 | AMTS REAR TYRE SPACER AND LIGHT POLE | MAXTRAX | ARB AWNING | OUTBACK CAMPER [/SIZE]

            Comment


            • #7
              Personally I dont have a ladder, what I do with my 120 is wind down back window, use rear tyre as first step, then rear window sill as second step then I am on.
              2012 4dr JK wrangler, 3.5" AEV lift, AEV mags, 35" muddies, front/rear arb bars, tjm sliders, pioneer platform and some other goodies

              Comment


              • #8
                Your rear windows wind down???

                Comment


                • #9
                  I assume he's talking about the rear side doors not the rear boot windows...

                  The problem up north of WA is the dust. If you touch the car with your shirt it is red! your shoes are typically covered in dust and it just gets everywhere. So climbing the car and leaning on it to get something out of a sealed bag on the roof will make you filthy... I suppose thats why I posted. I recon I'll have to use the roof because I doubt everything will fit in the car, but what to put up there that is practical? I see lots of photos of cars loaded up on top racks but from peoples experiences what works?
                  Last edited by MadJak; 19-02-2014, 02:24 PM. Reason: bad gramma
                  2012 Prado Altitude v6
                  [SIZE=2]ARB BAR | IPF SPOTTIES | BILSTEINS | LOVELLS | POLYAIR | MICKEY THOMPSONS 265/70/R17 | WHISPBAR RACKS | REDARC BCDC | 82AH AUX | ICOM 440N | RFI CDQ5000 | LED LIGHTING | ARB COMPRESSOR | ROADSAFE RECOVERY POINTS | TG150 | AMTS REAR TYRE SPACER AND LIGHT POLE | MAXTRAX | ARB AWNING | OUTBACK CAMPER [/SIZE]

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    From experience the roof platform is the least dusty place on the outside of the car.
                    In 1983, on my first trip around Aus, (yes I'm ancient) a woman from the local bakery was going around the campground in Wiepa asking if anybody travelling south had room for a bread delivery to Archer River Roadhouse (don't know what happened to their usual arrangement). I said I could take her large cardboard box but only had room on the roof. She replied, "Perfect. That's where I'd be carrying it. That's the most dust free place".
                    I've followed her advice ever since.
                    I take your point about getting dirty climbing up there but I've never managed to keep very clean in that country anyway.
                    Also, I was driving an FJ55 which is taller than our Prados. Can't see that making much difference though. Re your other points - Your comments on avoiding too much weight up there are spot on
                    Cheers
                    Terry

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Yes sorry guys rear side door...

                      Originally posted by MadJak View Post
                      I assume he's talking about the rear side doors not the rear boot windows...

                      The problem up north of WA is the dust. If you touch the car with your shirt it is red! your shoes are typically covered in dust and it just gets everywhere. So climbing the car and leaning on it to get something out of a sealed bag on the roof will make you filthy... I suppose thats why I posted. I recon I'll have to use the roof because I doubt everything will fit in the car, but what to put up there that is practical? I see lots of photos of cars loaded up on top racks but from peoples experiences what works?
                      2012 4dr JK wrangler, 3.5" AEV lift, AEV mags, 35" muddies, front/rear arb bars, tjm sliders, pioneer platform and some other goodies

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I carry Awning, shovel, Maxtrax, water, shower pump, counduit with tarp for under camper and a few other bits and pieces in it like sand flag and HF aerial whip.

                        As for you list specifically for the Gibb. Leave the kids bikes at home, the Gibb is all about walking the Gorges, when their not doing that there is plenty of mud and dust and rocks and dirt to keep them well entertained.

                        Generator, do you really need one? if not leave it home, personally never needed one when camping but everyone is different.

                        Maxtrax, I am a big fan and would say if space is no issue then take them, but if your not going much more off road then the GRR then its highly unlikely you will need them, its a maintained road and I think pretty much every water crossing I encountered in the Kimberly had a rocky bottom, so getting bogged is pretty unlikely unless you venture further off the beaten track.

                        I reckon your best bet is to have a trial run, do a mock pack up and see how it goes. Roof racks do knock the fuel consumption, so if you don't need it then give it a miss.

                        Cheers Andrew

                        Fishing rods are fine if that's your thing, its easy to check if the fishing is going to be any good in the Kimberly, just walk up to the water and see how many fish are swimming around Even of the Jetty at Broome the water is so clear you can see the fish swimming around!
                        [COLOR="#FF0000"]So Long and Thanks for all the Fish![/COLOR]

                        [url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3840-AJ-s-120-Prado]MY PRADO AND DIY CAMPER TRAILER[/url]

                        [url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3975-AJ-s-79-series-Cruiser-Ute]MY HZJ79 Landcrusier[/url]


                        [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by AJ120 View Post
                          As for you list specifically for the Gibb. Leave the kids bikes at home, the Gibb is all about walking the Gorges, when their not doing that there is plenty of mud and dust and rocks and dirt to keep them well entertained.
                          Generator, do you really need one? if not leave it home, personally never needed one when camping but everyone is different.
                          Thanks Andrew,

                          I actually don't think I need a generator, as I have a dual battery in the car, and 240aHrs in the camper. I also have 160 watt panels. I have 3 young kids (youngest is 9 months) so I want to stay in location for a while rather than pack up camp and travel every day. I'd also plan to leave the camper and go on day trips on some of the more remote tracks etc.

                          I'll be running two engels (one 40L in the car and a 60L in the camper) and I'm not sure on a very long trip if I can maintain charge. Along with the fridge / freezer and led lighting I also run a 1000 watt inverter and a pod coffee machine which gets used a bit! (mostly for the kids hot chocolates). Running the car will charge the camper and so will the panels, but if we're staying put we could pull a bit out of the batteries each day. On our weekend (4 day) trips we've had no issues with charge so we should be right but I haven't run a freezer yet. I figured I'd need a genie at some point, but maybe I should mount some fixed panels on my car's roof instead of the tray.

                          In terms of a trial run, we will be going camping again next week. The issue is mostly clothes and food which will take up more space than our usual weekenders. 5 weeks is a long time so we'll need lots more space than normal. Maybe I'll pack in some extra empty boxes and see what fits.

                          Maxtrax are low priority but good insurance if I end up on a beach somewhere.

                          Fishing wise, I'll probably do more on the way up and back. Got a few little spots up the coast that we'll try and stop at. It's nice to catch dinner or breaky if you can!
                          2012 Prado Altitude v6
                          [SIZE=2]ARB BAR | IPF SPOTTIES | BILSTEINS | LOVELLS | POLYAIR | MICKEY THOMPSONS 265/70/R17 | WHISPBAR RACKS | REDARC BCDC | 82AH AUX | ICOM 440N | RFI CDQ5000 | LED LIGHTING | ARB COMPRESSOR | ROADSAFE RECOVERY POINTS | TG150 | AMTS REAR TYRE SPACER AND LIGHT POLE | MAXTRAX | ARB AWNING | OUTBACK CAMPER [/SIZE]

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Don't forget that if you have the freezer well packed, in a shady spot, and don't keep opening the lid then it wont use a whole heap of power as once its at the right temp then the contents will help to keep the temp stable and it will only kick in every now and again for short periods, so it's not like it would be running all the time.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Weigt overhead

                              I'ver got a stock 150 and putting an aluminium rack loaded with a steel spare wheel , jerrys , swag , hi lift and bits and pieces I found the stock suspension too soft .
                              If yours is stock I'd advise to upgrade the suspension .
                              Cheers Ross

                              Comment

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