Show us' ya Rack...(roof)

[Proudy]

In the same vein as te bull bar thread...would be good to see what you have up top.

Intrested if anyone has roof rack/basket/tray on thier NS as I am looking for some ideas. I like the Rhino alloy tray set up personally - however what cross rails do you use...whats the max weight etc.

[Nova Artist]

Mitsubishi offer two types of cross bars, a pajero labelled one which they state is good for 60kg (I'm never quite sure if they mean per individual bar, or across the 2 supplied), and a Thule set which they rate at 80kg. I went with the Thule set, which interestingly on the Thule web site, the exact same cross bars are rated at 100kg. Go figure?, Perhaps it is the same philosophy they use with towing capacity - ie claim a lower number than elsewhere, so that they can use this as a basis for not covering warranties when these mitsubishi based numbers are exceeded?, or am I just being cynical.
Anyway, on the cross bars I have a Thule Atlantis 200 pod which holds about 460 litres. Most of the time though the cross bars and pod are stored in the garage, and they only go on the car when I need the space, as even though the pod is aerodynamic, it still adds wind resistance, and the hieght added to the car would probably result in the pod being ripped off the car when entering some shopping centre car parks.

[Schniff]

I would be interested on feedback regarding wind noise with various roof racks.
Do wind deflecters greatly reduce this?

[Walker]

Yep, the wind deflectors make a big difference.

Also, using a 3/4 or half rack and having it mounted towards the back means you hear less noise inside the cab.

[Yellowfin]

Hi
I went up hill and down dale deciding on my set - up. Ended up with 4 heavy duty Rhino Rack cross bars and new Large Rhino bag. Could not use Rhino basket as too much height on top of cross bars for garage and did not want to take on and off all the time. Could not use areodynamic Rhino cross bars as not strong enough and cannot level bars using spacers which you need to do as rails slope forward.
Went for 4 crossbars because I just put mdf board or camping table inside the bag across the 4 bars and it provides platform for rest of stuff.
Advantages over Rhino basket with bag - lower access makes loading easier, easier access as just unzip bag without having to lift things over basket edge, saves cost on basket, fits in garage without having to take off basket.
However the bars do make a throbbing noise at certain speeds and they do have an effect on fuel comsumption(I reckon about 10%).
I need to put on a wind deflector on front bar which I think will fix the noise and maybe save a bit of fuel.
Hope this helps.

[Daniel Fo]

Yellowfin, have you got any photos of your setup?

Anyone else got any photos of their roof rack setup?

[Yellowfin]

Daniel
Not specifically but I'll take some and try to work out how to post them here!

[2800ITDNM]

Ive got 2 Rhino Commersial X Bars on my NS Shorty. They sure announce their presence at anything over about 70km/h. Very noisy buffeting, but with my rackbag on the noise reduces some what. Suspect wind gurgling inside the open ends as the culprit, as I have already plugged up the underside of the crossbars with the same rubber moulding as they use on the top of the bars.Need to do some trials taping up the ends.

[Hookedon4wding]

I went with the Rhino cross bars and a Rhino Platform Rack. I also needed something that would fit in my garage without having to take on and off all the time. The Platform Rack is basically the floor of the alloy basket witout the sides. Mainly used for carring my Black Wolf Turbo Tent and a roof bag. Very little wind noise except in very windy conditions. Cross rails rated to 80kg.

I'll try and post some photos tomorrow.

Cheers, Sam.

[Daniel Fo]

aluminium or steel basket

What are peoples preferences for roof baskets? The aluminium Rhino baskets seem to be very popular (and expensive) but my thoughts are that a steel rack would be easier to modify to personalise for things such as jerry can holders etc.

What would you suggest for a SWB?

[JandG]

Just ordered two Rhino Sportz X-bars and fixing hardware to fit on my NS SWB

Going to put 2 X 80W solar panels on there.

Panels can be tilted from 30-50degrees (Lattitude) when stationary.

Charging batteries whilst driving and towing off-road camper to provide 240V when arriving at destination.

Hope wind noise is not going to be too bad.

Cheers
Gerard

[Yellowfin]

My idea of just having dross bars and bag with table inside as base was fine in theory but recent trip showed otherwise in practice - so today put on a Rhino platform(1800x1100) and it's great - also seemed to have got rid of a lot of noise from the cross bars. Rhino guy said if noise persists then like someone else mentioned in an earlier thread, plug underneath the bars with the rubber used on top of the bars.

[Hookedon4wding]

My idea of just having dross bars and bag with table inside as base was fine in theory but recent trip showed otherwise in practice - so today put on a Rhino platform(1800x1100) and it's great - also seemed to have got rid of a lot of noise from the cross bars. Rhino guy said if noise persists then like someone else mentioned in an earlier thread, plug underneath the bars with the rubber used on top of the bars.

They're a good bit of kit the Platform Rack. I only got the 1500 x 1100 size but it's perfect for what I carry. Just purchased a new Rhino Luggage Bag today which along with our Black Wolf Turbo Tent, fits perfectly on the Platform. Best thing is, don't have to take it off to fit in the garage (or undercover parking).

[Yellowfin]

Daniel
Better late than never - some photos of my rack set - up. May end up reducing to 3 crossbars but like symmetry of the 4. The rear of the rack has a channel so you can attach a tarp to it which may be handy.

[Hookedon4wding]

Here's some pics of my Platfrom Rack. Bloody useful and very quiet on the road. Fits in the garage too so don't ever have to take it off. Rhino luggage bag is a winner too!