Rage Roof rack

[HARDTRAILZ]

That why i use 3/8 bolts. Hi lift wont go anywhere the entire basket doesnt go.

[v7guy]

I had concerns about the plastic bars at first but after looking at the load rating I wasn't so worried. the tire and basket can't be more than 100-105lbs. I assumed the same as Bill, 5-10gs depending on the seriousness of the hit. The straps holding the tire are rated for 1200 lbs. GM rated the bars for 200 lbs so in theory they should be good for 1000+ lbs. GM isn't going to rate an impact at less than 5GS. Even if the basket mounts fail the straps holding the tire wrap around the bars and they should retain the tire.
With that said,I do have some steel tube sitting in the garage to replace the plastic bars but it hadn't been a pressing concern.I can make it one if someone can present some numbers to make me worried.

[Trail X]

I don't think GM rated their roof rack for off-road bouncing. For instance, during my only time off-road with the stock bars and a roof rack, the whole roof rack ended up about 5" forward of where it was mounted when I went up there to take a look after the trip.

And I seriously doubt GM ever did any crash testing with 200 lbs on the roof. Their primary concern is the occupants, not what flies off the truck.

Though, I found this little video showng an aftermarket roof rack failing a "city crash" test.

[hobbstisdaman]

Thats pretty much the epitome of a failing test IMO. Replacing the bars with aluminum one and THEN putting the roof rack on those would make me sleep better at night. Or at least feel better when I drive around with a loaded rack

[Cody_S]

Looks like I may be replacing some cross bars soon then. Sketchy.

[dvanbramer88]

Looks like I may be replacing some cross bars soon then. Sketchy.

I put my canoe on Josh's factory roof rack and it was pushing it in my opinion, the plastic cross bars were bending and the cross bar mounts don't appear to be very strong either... Canoe is about 80-100lbs.

[navigator]

I've got a 16ft aluminum canoe I put on mine all the time. The only thing I noticed is that if I tighten the ratchet straps too tight, where the hook attaches wants to deform a little.
If I put a piece of foam where the canoe contacts, I don't have to tighten the straps as tight and the canoe won't slide.
For short trips, I throw the 2 ratchet straps on it and that is it, no tying the front and rear.

[v7guy]

Just a quick update.

Finally got around to doing something about the rack mounting. The stock bars still seemed relatively ok despite a few offroad days, all I've ever put up there is my spare. The mounts for the rage roof rack leave a lot to be desired and have always slid side to side unless they were tightened regularly with the rubber pieces I added.
I ended up getting some 1 x 1 x 1/8" tube 48" long. Drilled holes for some 3/8" bolts after I sleeved the bolt holes with some round tube and capped the ends of the square tube. Then I painted them inside and out. The 3/8" bolts mounted through some 3/16" plate that was cut to fit inside the stock rails. It was all tightened down with some lock washers with loctite on the nuts. The roof rack was bolted to the steel cross bars with some 5/16" u bolts that use lock washers. I can grab the rack and shake the whole truck. Seems pretty solid.

[VelociJuris]

i like this one...
http://www.discountramps.com/roof-luggage-rack.htm

It is longer than most this place sells lots of styles.

[Conner299]

i like this one...
http://www.discountramps.com/roof-luggage-rack.htm

It is longer than most this place sells lots of styles.

This is the exact same rack I'm looking at, and Amazon has it for $125 shipped. $20 cheaper.

[v7guy]

Just be aware that the clamps they give you will not do anything to keep the rack from sliding around side to side. I've now made three sets of bars so that the rack is held on securely.

[fishsticks]

Just be aware that the clamps they give you will not do anything to keep the rack from sliding around side to side. I've now made three sets of bars so that the rack is held on securely.

+1 I've loaded fiberglass ladders onto this rack and it stays put with proper mounting.


You could do far worse for $125.

[Conner299]

I forget who did it, but I plan on doing an exact copy of the mount somebody used with the two-piece tube clamps... So a shout out to you, good sir... Have a beer on my tab!