Attaching gear to your roof rack

[NeilSmith]

Ive had my rack full of snow and the weight actually moved the rack all the way to the side of the Jeep. The brackets were tight too, just as they always are. With weight that far up you really need to be careful.

[pjmjr508]

I had seen that after I put the rack up, then added the hilift jack & the spare. That after I went on a serious trail ride that the rack was off of 2 of the 4 roof rack mounts. took some of the weight off of it & have not had the same issue again. Hoping once I finish with the roof rail conversion to the unistruts that this will be resolved.

[criket]

^This is why I'm a little nervous about loading up the cargo rack. I usually don't carry much up there anyway so it isn't a problem. I guess it just all boils down to common sense when one is loading cargo onto the rack, the placement of it, the weight of it, and the type of tie downs and/or straps used.

[CmmdrDan]

The first snow they call for I'm pulling the rack off. I don't want it full of snow up there. I hate when people don't even clean the snow off there hoods how can I drive around with a rack full of snow?

[ped4599]

I only put my rack on when going on hunting trips or when going on serious off road trails.

The stuff on my roof rack is all held on by metal "U" bolts and wing nuts. My tire is held on by a very heavy duty I bolt and large flat iron which would probably lift the back of the jeep off the ground. I am not worried about my tire ever coming off. I have never lost anything and I am quite confident the whole contraption, including the tire would all stay together as one piece. I also think the mounts would hold it all to the rails.

**But I think the rails themselves are what would come apart and detach from the vehicle. if you look closely they are just bolted to the roof with light bolts/screws. After my last summer trip, I have less confidence in the structural integrity of the OEM roof rails themselves. I think they are the weak link.

Due to this, when I started using my roof rack more and more, I also started using tethers in each of the 4 corners so if it became detached at least it would stay up there, even if the mounts let go. I would recommend people use a few lays of para cord or even something heavier, like cable, for safety tethers on anything you mount to the outside of your vehicle.

Having been to many accidents, I can tell you that stuff you think its secure with a 'tie down' is going to go flying. IF you look at some vehicles made for high speed driving, many of the parts have small tethers for the hood and truck, etc.

I agree the trails themselve are the most grouling activity that causes stress to the rack mount when carrying weight up there and sal is right that leaving the stuff at camp is best. The problem is the trails we were on took us hours from camp. And the stuff I carry is usually recovery items, that would be useless if you needed them if they were back at camp.

I think the best thing would be to use several brackets -- in addition to the mounts provided -- to prevent the side to side shifting of the rack on the OEM cross bars...the would keep it from wearing on the side rails.

[cico7]

**But I think the rails themselves are what would come apart and detach from the vehicle. if you look closely they are just bolted to the roof with light bolts/screws. After my last summer trip, I have less confidence in the structural integrity of the OEM roof rails themselves. I think they are the weak link.

This is what I was concerned with after reading your post.

Due to this, when I started using my roof rack more and more, I also started using tethers in each of the 4 corners so if it became detached at least it would stay up there, even if the mounts let go. I would recommend people use a few lays of para cord or even something heavier, like cable, for safety tethers on anything you mount to the outside of your vehicle.

Agree, excellent idea.

Having been to many accidents,

Uh Oh ..

I can tell you that stuff you think its secure with a 'tie down' is going to go flying. IF you look at some vehicles made for high speed driving, many of the parts have small tethers for the hood and truck, etc.

I think the best thing would be to use several brackets -- in addition to the mounts provided -- to prevent the side to side shifting of the rack on the OEM cross bars...the would keep it from wearing on the side rails.

Nice pic....

[WanderingTs]

Does anyone have a more heavy duty attachment to the vehicle itself that doesnt use the OEM rails? The roof is just sheet metal only so no real support to screw to there right?

If stuff would stay put under stress (panic stop/accident/trail sideways) was part of why I started this thread.

[Matt]

Do any of you guys with the Rola racks need/want some more mounts? I have 6 of them (4 came with it and I ordered 2 extra) that I never used.