Considering Lumber Rack for Daily/Expo

[comrad_zeelaagee]

So I am in need of a rack for my Tacoma. I'm currently outfitted with a camper shell and need a way to address some cargo carrying as listed below. I contacted Rack-It and they can make an aluminum version of their Tacoma camper rack which should drop the weight down to ~80# or so. My other options are the usual Yakima/Prinsu systems which are attractive in their own ways but carrying capacity is limited by the camper shell tp 150#. The need to exceed that load weight would be rare.

Intended uses:
Carrying kayak(s) or small boat
Carrying surfboards
Using a rail for flying a tarp while camping
*Occasional* materials transport

Terrain coverage:
mostly on-road driving 90-95% with FS/washboard mostly when travelling off-highway

Concerns:
weight
wind noise
Flexibility of use/functionality
mpg reduction

So, which of you have chosen this as your exterior cargo system for some of the above uses or have had experience using both and can offer your advice on this purchase? Got pics to share?

Thanks!

 

[SDDiver5]

Cant help you all that much as far as model specific but here is a thread I started a while back about the same topic.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/116540-Lumber-rack-as-base-roof-rack

 

[comrad_zeelaagee]

That RAM has a pretty sweet set up. what did you end up doing for your rig?

 

[SDDiver5]

I didn't end up doing anything. Lost interest because I moved back home and live close to the beach and Mission Bay so it's much easier. Where in Cbad are you? I'm living in PB right now but grew up off La Costa Ave. and hoping to move back to Cbad or go up to San Clemente.

 

[rayra]

How about adding some support struts inside the shell to transfer the load to the bed floor? A la an interior cage sort of thing. Then you can load whatever you want up there.

 

[Buliwyf]

I just use a ladder rack with removable top rails.

 

[comrad_zeelaagee]

How about adding some support struts inside the shell to transfer the load to the bed floor? A la an interior cage sort of thing. Then you can load whatever you want up there.

I like that kind of thinking- working with what I have to get there, but the cost in materials and time could exceed the difference in price of the aluminum lumber rack over a yakima system or even a full Prinsu system. If I was hell-bent of having a expo-looking rig set up, that would probably work pretty well.

 

[rayra]

I think you're overthinking / over-complicating it. I'm talking about little more than a set of pipe stanchions that tuck into the corners of the bed / shell and go from floor to ceiling of the shell, aligned so they support the feet of the roof rack. And bolting thru capital plates, the shell, the foot plates of the rack.
Or, if you don't want to penetrate the shell (? but you'd be bolting the rack to the shell anyway?), then yes a cage sort of arrangement with a bearing plate of sorts on the top face, with some thickness of rubber or neoprene between it and shell, which is load bearing for the roofrack.


Then there's always just using a contractor-style roof rack that purpose-built to fit OUTside of a fiberglass shell. They ride on the bed rails but offset to the outside by a few inches. The rack is totally external of the shell with no contact or penetrations of the shell. These already exist.

Just google 'contractor rack with shell' and see tons of examples. Such a thing could be readily modified to host all sorts of 'overlanding' goodies / features.

 

[dman93]

I have Yakima or Thule (ARE standard fitment) tracks on my fiberglass ARE Z Series shell with Yakima towers and two Yakima round crossbars. I've now carried my Tepui tent which weighs about 130 lbs over 10000 miles of everything from desert washboard to miles of choppy interstate at 75-80 mph with heavy crosswinds and headwinds. It's rock solid with no loosening or any visible cracks in the shell. The tracks distribute the load over a large area and even though the Yak towers seem wimpy (plastic construction, two M5 screws per tower) I think that's probably the cheapest solution unless you frequently haul 4x8 sheet goods or heavy lumber.

 

[Buliwyf]

I have used the same setup Raya pictured. Perfect for expo travel if you lost all your cargo space when you turned your bed, into a bed. LOL. And it's not permanent, it's cake to remove and reinstall as needed.

 

[Kevin108]

Check out http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-to-mount-a-RTT-over-a-topper-Opinions-Please!

 

[comrad_zeelaagee]

I think you're overthinking / over-complicating it. I'm talking about little more than a set of pipe stanchions that tuck into the corners of the bed / shell and go from floor to ceiling of the shell, aligned so they support the feet of the roof rack. And bolting thru capital plates, the shell, the foot plates of the rack.
Or, if you don't want to penetrate the shell (? but you'd be bolting the rack to the shell anyway?), then yes a cage sort of arrangement with a bearing plate of sorts on the top face, with some thickness of rubber or neoprene between it and shell, which is load bearing for the roofrack.


Then there's always just using a contractor-style roof rack that purpose-built to fit OUTside of a fiberglass shell. They ride on the bed rails but offset to the outside by a few inches. The rack is totally external of the shell with no contact or penetrations of the shell. These already exist.

Just google 'contractor rack with shell' and see tons of examples. Such a thing could be readily modified to host all sorts of 'overlanding' goodies / features.

Yeah- this is where I'm at with it. In the end, the Yakima/Tule systems would be less expensive, but I think also less stout/adaptable. Still on the fence though.