How to mount a shovel to a roofrack (Surco) for easy access
- Thread starter Topgun514
- Start date
StumpXJ
SE Expedition Society
You need a couple quick fist clamps.
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=90
Wil and Wendy will take care of you at SE.
~ Stump
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=90
Wil and Wendy will take care of you at SE.
~ Stump
Hill Bill E.
Oath Keeper
+1! I use the Quick Fist clamps for a bunch of stuff.
Fishing poles (inside, along the roof)
Mag Light
Shovel and axe handles on my swing out tire carrier on the CJ.
Never lost anything from them yet, and they keep stuff from rattling.:coffeedrink:
I love those but thats almost too easily stolen. I dont know many people that will actually do that but those are nice. Definitely an option. I was thinking maybe something with a wingnut.
Can I find these at a local hardware store too? I would love to feel these in my hands.
Can I find these at a local hardware store too? I would love to feel these in my hands.
FishPOET
Adventurer
Token
Explorer
I used Quickfist clamps with a shovel and Axe on a Surco for a good while, never had any problem..
Had to do a little bit of modifying to get it right though..
Notcie the extra metal strap..?? You can find it at Lowes or Home Depot for not much dough.. Shoot it black with Krylon Textured Finish and bolt it on.. Mounted the Quickfists to it with a nut and bolt setup. Simple.. The front fist had to have a standoff between it and the strap on the rack to give clearance for the spade end of the shovel. I used an old socket shot with the Krylon.. Quickfist were mounted to the inside of the rack rather than the outside.
This is the best picture of the set up I could find.. Got rid of the rack for somethig a bit stronger about a year ago.. Have to fiddle around to find the right placement for the shovel..
Didn't leave the stuff up there ALL the time, but when out on trips it was always up there and as far as I know they were never messed with..
Had to do a little bit of modifying to get it right though..
Notcie the extra metal strap..?? You can find it at Lowes or Home Depot for not much dough.. Shoot it black with Krylon Textured Finish and bolt it on.. Mounted the Quickfists to it with a nut and bolt setup. Simple.. The front fist had to have a standoff between it and the strap on the rack to give clearance for the spade end of the shovel. I used an old socket shot with the Krylon.. Quickfist were mounted to the inside of the rack rather than the outside.
This is the best picture of the set up I could find.. Got rid of the rack for somethig a bit stronger about a year ago.. Have to fiddle around to find the right placement for the shovel..
Didn't leave the stuff up there ALL the time, but when out on trips it was always up there and as far as I know they were never messed with..
StumpXJ
SE Expedition Society
If someone wants to steal your stuff, they are gonna steal your stuff. You wanted something that works well, and is easily accesible. The Quick fist is what you need. If you want something with a little more security, you will sacrifice accessibility.
Let us know what you decide.
~ James
Let us know what you decide.
~ James
mudbutt
Explorer
Quick fist.... Enough said.
Mine has been up there for over a year. No one even looks at it. I bought a lock with the intention of drilling a hole at the top of the handle and locking it to the rack. Still haven't got to it. Like StumpXJ said, if they want it bad enough, they'll get it. I'm not afraid of someone stealing it as much as I'm afraid someone might decide to use it as a weapon.
Mine has been up there for over a year. No one even looks at it. I bought a lock with the intention of drilling a hole at the top of the handle and locking it to the rack. Still haven't got to it. Like StumpXJ said, if they want it bad enough, they'll get it. I'm not afraid of someone stealing it as much as I'm afraid someone might decide to use it as a weapon.
A lot of people only put their shovel up there when they are heading out for a run or a trip, I leave mine on all the time and have not had an issue yet. That said, it will prolly get stolen tonight, but still, it was a very cheap one to begin with and it sat outside and the wood handle is rough. I sanded it smooth enough to keep from getting slivers and wire wheeld the rust off the blade then shot it with Rustoleum. Looks good enough to hang up there and is in good enough shape to bury those campfires that I find that people leave burning or enough to dig out the sand.
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
I find keeping wooden handles worked with linseed oil once or twice a year does wonders for them. Probably needs to be applied more often if it is going to live outside all year round.
Garvin Industries makes a bolt on shovel, axe and HighLift mounts for their racks. Their racks are 4" tall. If that spacing would fit, so would their mounts. They use wingnuts to hold the tools. I have a shovel on my LJ and never take it off. Its still there after four years.
The axe I remove, too much of a weapon.
BTW, rattle free.
Have to say that I like the QuickFists too.
JPK
The axe I remove, too much of a weapon.
BTW, rattle free.
Have to say that I like the QuickFists too.
JPK
I put a small u bolt that fits tight on the handle of the shovel on the rear of the rack then drill a hole in the head of the shovel near the handle and put a bolt through the rack with a nut on the back side, a spacer if needed to keep shovel head off of things then add a wing nut to hold it down. Put the tip down and it won't catch the wind either. I have used this set up year round with no issues or rattles. FYI i used a fiberglass handle shovel so no rot worries. Fresh coat of paint once a year and it's as good as new.
