Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Roof Rack?


Recommended Posts

I am curious to see if anyone has any neat, unique or awesome ideas for a roof rack. I have an 82 GL and been thinking about building a roof rack for it for a while but I just havnt been able to commit to anything yet. Feel free to share pics. All suggestions are appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well Im wanting something that is tall enough to pack camping gear into ( sleeping bags, bed rolls, coolers, hunting gear,etc) that doesnt take too much away from my mpg, and is capable of mounting the spare tire down into it when empty. I saw one that a guy had made for a jeep that actually had a swing arm to mount a spare tire onto that could either sit up inside to basket or flip back and rest on the hatch. I wish I had taken pictures but I was on the go as always. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I never did understand the roof racks. How do you get stuff up in there, tie it down, get it off, tie it down again? Especially with a lift. I'm 5' 9" (well, used to be). Would you carry a 4' ladder?

I have a nice little lightweight 4x8 trailer with 15" wheels. It's great for camping. Drop the coolers in and some initial starting firewood, lawn chairs, chainsaw and another cooler (or two). I don't have to tie anything down and can 'run' get more firewood with the empty trailer. Would this be an option for you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I never did understand the roof racks. How do you get stuff up in there, tie it down, get it off, tie it down again? Especially with a lift. I'm 5' 9" (well, used to be). Would you carry a 4' ladder?

I have a nice little lightweight 4x8 trailer with 15" wheels. It's great for camping. Drop the coolers in and some initial starting firewood, lawn chairs, chainsaw and another cooler (or two). I don't have to tie anything down and can 'run' get more firewood with the empty trailer. Would this be an option for you?

 

I kind of agree with this. I have the factory roof rack on my EA82, but really only for looks. I've only used it once, to transport a 10 ft long piece of metal flashing (as you can see in the picture). I have my 40"x48" flatbed trailer from Harbor Freight (also in the picture) which has been more useful. Well, I haven't used it much besides transporting two transmissions, but I plan to use it for future camping. Gonna go to WCSS this year, and I plan to load up the trailer with all my camping stuff. I could probably fit everything on the roof rack, but it seems like too much of a hassle. Plus, with the trailer, I can just disconnect it and go. I don't have to take everything off the roof rack if I want to go somewhere. Ugh, I digress.

 

892429_10200245350728370_519218591_o_zps

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I never did understand the roof racks. How do you get stuff up in there, tie it down, get it off, tie it down again? Especially with a lift. I'm 5' 9" (well, used to be). Would you carry a 4' ladder?

I have a nice little lightweight 4x8 trailer with 15" wheels. It's great for camping. Drop the coolers in and some initial starting firewood, lawn chairs, chainsaw and another cooler (or two). I don't have to tie anything down and can 'run' get more firewood with the empty trailer. Would this be an option for you?

 

You build a trailer to use as a step to get to your roof rack.

 

A friend of mine found old missle cases at an surplus store for $40.  I plan on puting some mounts on some and when i build my rack have them able to mount up.  that way you can carry stuff dry if you want to.

 

If you want to be crafty, I would do a modular one where you can mount things like dry storage, or side rails, and remove them when you dont need them.  that way you can remove rails and tire for mileage, pack wheeling tools, or keep stuff dry for camping.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have used a yakima load warrior ( http://www.yakima.com/shop/cargo/gear-baskets/loadwarrior ) with the yakima round crossbars and I like it. Here's something unique I did though, This little luggage rack was an option on gen 2 hardtops and maybe sedans. They went on top of the trunk. I mounted it on the rear of my roof. What is cool about it is it looks cool, but also I ended up using it a lot to tie things to in conjuction with the basket. It also gives me something to slide a canoe on so I don't scratch the roof when loading it onto the crossbars. since I added the wing I may not be able to do that anymore though. Here is a pic

 

IMG_0400_zpsdaa09c7d.jpg

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

For this set up I used a set of Van Racks, the core from a sofa frame, and actually bought a basket from pep-boys. The basket lasted about 3 yrs before rusting away. I have since thrown it out, and have built another basket from a futon frame and 1x1 wood.     

IMG_0001.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

This roof rack came on the car, previous owner made it for a welding class. It's extremely beefy, and held on by two big bolts going through the body on each end of the rails. I've strapped a full-size couch onto it and driven 50mph with no problems at all. Thinking about welding on some sort of basket in-between the two rails to make it easier to mount bags and smaller items.

post-48160-0-98019000-1374546580_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I would go with the Yakima option. You can take it off easy and it can still hold quite a load. Plus there are boxes and accessories you can easily add and take off. The keys are interchangeable as well. I have put a lot of weight on there. It has never let me down and it's easy to put on and off.

 

Edited by snofool
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...