WideAngleWandering
Deambulador
I've been through several incarnations of roof rack (pics on mud).
I started with a couple simple Yakima bars then went to a full basket (which had a nasty tendency to snag bamboo, parking garages, etc). So I removed the basket and two of the Yakima mounts so it was just big enough to hold two solar panels. I ran cables down the front to deflect branches and I added an awning. But it's taken another blow and the hand-made Yakima-style mount I had built (to replace the broken OEM mount) is no longer holding up, so I've decided to go all custom.
Goals are:
I have attached some condeptual drawings. It would be constructed with conduit/tube stock and attached using some type of Bulldog style mounts. I'm not sure which size I need to clear the high-roof without being too tall (low-profile).
http://www.diamondrax.com/diamondrax-roof-rack-mounting-systems.html
One thing I'm not sure about yet is how to handle the nose. Since my hi-roof tapers down sharply towards the windshield, it leaves a large gap that would be perfect for trapping tree branches. I could make new cable mounts and run steel wire down to the front bumper but I also like the idea of building a "visor" in the front to hold some lights and also deflect tree branches.
I'm curious how others with unusual roof shapes have addressed this. Thoughts?
I started with a couple simple Yakima bars then went to a full basket (which had a nasty tendency to snag bamboo, parking garages, etc). So I removed the basket and two of the Yakima mounts so it was just big enough to hold two solar panels. I ran cables down the front to deflect branches and I added an awning. But it's taken another blow and the hand-made Yakima-style mount I had built (to replace the broken OEM mount) is no longer holding up, so I've decided to go all custom.
Goals are:
- Low profile, branch deflecting (bamboo is some crazy strong stuff)
- protects a set of solar panels that will be hinged so they can capture max sunlight
- could be used to hold an RTT in the future
- could be used to hold something long, like a canoe, without touching the solar panels
- solar panels should not be shaded by a tall basket
I have attached some condeptual drawings. It would be constructed with conduit/tube stock and attached using some type of Bulldog style mounts. I'm not sure which size I need to clear the high-roof without being too tall (low-profile).
http://www.diamondrax.com/diamondrax-roof-rack-mounting-systems.html
One thing I'm not sure about yet is how to handle the nose. Since my hi-roof tapers down sharply towards the windshield, it leaves a large gap that would be perfect for trapping tree branches. I could make new cable mounts and run steel wire down to the front bumper but I also like the idea of building a "visor" in the front to hold some lights and also deflect tree branches.
I'm curious how others with unusual roof shapes have addressed this. Thoughts?
