Opinions re:smallrack over extcab/in front of tall camper? Anyone else do this?

[Waltzing Matilda]

So after the last Baja trip I'm thinking it would be good to have a small rack over the ext. cab, plus add a wind fairing, to see if this would help reduce a bit of the wind resistance from camper shell, and give me a place to carry/store items I don't want inside the camper or cab (eg, gas cans)

I prefer this vs. a full rack over shell since it would be easier for me to reach vs. up on the 7' tall Callen camper, tho the thing is built like a tank and I've been told others walk around on theirs with no worries.

I walk outside to take some photos for this question, and measure dimensions for a Yakima setup, similar to what I've used on my previous truck w/Leer shell (sadly, I sold the rack system w/truck). Just as I lift the camera (I'm not kidding) a Toyota with an almost identical setup drives by: fiberglass camper shell (but cab high, not like my taller metal-shell Callen) with Yakima racks over the cab, the "BasketCase" carrier, turned sideways, and some Hella lights.

I'm so stunned by its unexpected appearance I don't think to take a pic, darn it. I consider running after it, to ask the owner some questions, but it's already heading down the street... So... I guess my basic question is answered: yes, others use this setup.

Now: anyone want to weigh in on the wind fairing factor: does it help reduce noise/drag? And what about weight over the extended cab? Should it ideally be more to the rear?

It would be nice to put lighter items, possibly gas can (20 liters, so 45 lbs?) and dirty/smelly stuff up there for the drive until I get an extended bumper and/or fuel can holders on rear. Also to lock items on the roof when out on the water or away from the site. It would at least slow some people down...

My truck/shell combo is a Mazda B4000, 4L/6 cyl, 2WD auto. It's small, and I want to keep weigh down; I often travel solo and prefer small/simple. No extreme offroad/rock crawling; mostly lots of highway then dirt at the end, to get to spots in Baja and set up camp for days at a time while kayaking, whalewatching, etc.


Here's what I have in mind, and my truck so far. (It looks low to rear due to street slope; parked on slight incline):





Still can't believe that rig that drove by...

 

[pappawheely]

I have a rack that I built on the front. I built it to hold a solar panel. I should build a fairing at the front. A lot of air still gets under the rack.

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

Nice. Thank you. What size is your panel ( watts)?
I have a small 30 watt I set up in camp only, not while driving.

Any issues Leaving the panel out full time? Damage from rocks that might kick up while driving?

 

[Martinjmpr]

My truck/shell combo is a Mazda B4000, 4L/6 cyl, 2WD auto. It's small, and I want to keep weigh down; I often travel solo and prefer small/simple. No extreme offroad/rock crawling; mostly lots of highway then dirt at the end, to get to spots in Baja and set up camp for days at a time while kayaking, whalewatching, etc.


Here's what I have in mind, and my truck so far. (It looks low to rear due to street slope; parked on slight incline):
View attachment 209986
View attachment 209987

Still can't believe that rig that drove by...

The only issue I can see is that there's not a lot of room between where the shell ends and the forward edge of the cab. Any Yakima or similar rack will have to attach to the cab to the internal rain gutters above the doors which means that the forward attachment point has to be behind the point where the windows start curving down (does that make sense? Not sure if I am describing it right.)

There is a certain minimum distance you have to have between the crossbars in order be able to adequately support any weight and I think your forward and rear crossbars would be very close together - probably no more than 10 - 12" apart. This would mean that the basket case would project forward over the windshield even if you turn it sideways. Would probably work OK for light stuff but I wouldn't put anything heavy up there like a 5 gallon metal gas can.

You could, however, probably put something smaller and lighter like a 2 or 3 gallon RotoPax can, flat on the basket case. FWIW I've been running this exact arrangment for 3 years: 2 x 3 gallon RotoPax cans on a Yakima Basket case, so I know they'll fit. 3 gallons of gas weighs about 21lbs and the RotoPax cans are very light - probably not more than 3 or 4 lbs max (vs 10 for a metal can.)

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

Thank you Martin. Yes, it will be a tight squeeze. The basket case is strong, I had one before. But I do get the space limits.

I have simple light weight plastic gas cans I bought in MX. Easier to use as well- pollution control standards are a bit less strict, so I had planned to carry those vs. metal cans while traveling in Baja.

I'll need to go to my local rackIt shop to see what's possible up there.

As for fairing- might still be worthwhile. Also, considering adding some lights for those rare times I have to drive in the dark on Baja dirt roads, or might be good to light up a campsite.

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

The Yakima system needs at least a 24" span, and with the over-cab camper shell I don't have the space for 2 bars.

On to Plan B...