Quick Question on Disco 1

[msapers]

Hi All,

I will be in the market for a D1 next week, so I have spent the past 3 days reading all 90+ pages here. A lot of great info! I found the answers to most of my questions. Only one thing I'm still wondering about.

It's my understanding that the Disco's body panels are aluminum with a steel substructure. I was wondering then, with regard to roof racks mounted to the gutters, what is their actual weight carrying capacity? Is there a rack available that uses a continuous "foot" rather than several small "feet" to more evenly distribute the load? It seems form looking at pictures that the Camel Trophy Discos did not have the racks mounted to the gutters. I assume they were bolted through the roof (maybe to an internal roll cage?)

Anyway, thanks in advance for any answers and I'll keep reading to learn more.

 

[ExploringNH]

I'm not aware of any offerings of a continuous foot design and I'm not sure it is necessary. A lot of the gutter mount racks have rated weight capacities of 600+lbs. This should be enough of a limit for 99% of people, even with a roof top tent. The gutter mount racks are a "tried and true" design and they work well.

 

[justaddmtns]

Some Hannibal Racks have a "continuous foot." http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/1425/2094464340100399835S600x600Q85.jpg

And the Trophy roof racks where connected to an internal roll cage.

 

[Ronct110]

Is there a rack available that uses a continuous "foot" rather than several small "feet" to more evenly distribute the load? It seems form looking at pictures that the Camel Trophy Discos did not have the racks mounted to the gutters.

The early Camel Trophy Disco 1 did not have the racks mounted on the gutters.

There are companies today that make racks for Land Rovers w/continous foot like Bajarack: http://www.bajarack.com/wp-content/themes/bajarack/images/racks/land_rover/serie_land_rover.jpg

Ask for Sergio or John from Bajarack, both are responsive guys via email or phone if you have any questions re: D1 and weight it can support on the their rack.

 

[Antichrist]

I have an SD rack (multiple feet design) and have far exceeded the Disco's recommended roof rack weight many times with no ill effects.
I wouldn't worry about it. The greatest concern would be off-roading and the more you add in a roof rack the greater your chances of roll-over (I really limit the weight when off-roading).

 

[Rovertrader]

the gutters are part of the steel substructure- they tie to the ribs forming the 'cage' of the truck. Very strong, and later D-I racks did in fact attach to the gutters for CT at least support trucks and late event trucks. Watch some of the CT videos to see the ability of a overladen roof rack on a D-I, still amazes me the pitching without rolling...

 

[msapers]

Thanks Everyone

All I plan to put on the rack is a RTT, plus about 600lbs of sleeping people.

 

[bobtail4x4]

as long as you dont try driving with anyone up top, it will be fine.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

As Dale stated, the Safety Devices Camel Trophy Rack was a gutter mount rack, but had more feet than the normal Safety Devices rack. I have seen some folks use an aluminum piece on top of the gutter to more evenly distribute the torque from the clamps, but I don't think you'll have any burden on the roof, rack or gutters.
Here is a picture of the CT roof rack. These are rare enough, however, that I would hesitate to alter it for a RTT.
D