conversion van roof rack question

[draaronr]

I am on the hunt for a 7.3 diesel van. I found a few but they have the larger top on them. how do you attach a roof rack to them? i need to carry my surfboards and bikes etc. super stoked if you know a van also let me know too.

 

[ujoint]

Bolt it up. Better on the side to lower the chances of water, plate the inside too. Like this:

 

[draaronr]

Bolt it up. Better on the side to lower the chances of water, plate the inside too. Like this:

View attachment 199194

thanks Chris. I'm down in Wilmington, I've admired your work for quite sometime.

 

[draaronr]

got one, should be here in 10 days or so via transport

 

[ujoint]

No problem, thanks! Swing by the shop if you make it to the mtns!

 

[ZukiCAMPER]

Like Chris said, you need to spread the load significantly on the fiberglass. The SwissVan pictured above has custom made 5"x8" nut plates on the inside of the top at all of the mounting points. This helps to spread the load and the nut plates make it so if you have to remove the rack you don't have to take the interior all apart to get to the fasteners on the inside, they stay in place.

 

[draaronr]

I bought a flat roof till I figure what I want to do up top

 

[Accrete]

I can't answer on mounting of a roof rack, but, i can share what Van Specialties did for us when mounting a Fiama F45 10' awning on the passenger side of our Fiberine roof. At three points along the side about 10" above lower roof line they glued 6" x 6" x 3/4" marine ply blocks. The Fiama is then bolted through with 3/8" bolts and held tight with large flat washers/nylock bolts. I feel confident this would hold up over the years of use.

Best wishes on your project,
Thom