SURF ROOF BARS etc

[marky]

http://www.toyota-4x4-accessories.com/

[asgawth]

Surf Roof Rails

I would like to carry a 17 foot canoe on my surf. Trouble is it doesn't have roof rails. Has anyone fitted a roof bar towards the back of the roof (ie not between the doors) ?

or

I've seen posts on the Australian forum where people have fitted their own rails. Has anyone done this over here? If so would love to hear about it.

Thanks,
Andrew

[da SLUG man]

I would like to carry a 17 foot canoe on my surf. Trouble is it doesn't have roof rails. Has anyone fitted a roof bar towards the back of the roof (ie not between the doors) ?

or

I've seen posts on the Australian forum where people have fitted their own rails. Has anyone done this over here? If so would love to hear about it.

Thanks,
Andrew

yeah, andy (lucky) has.. think he did a write up somewhere...

[asgawth]

yeah, andy (lucky) has.. think he did a write up somewhere...

Thanks da SLUG man. Would like to catch up with Lucky as I spoke to the resellers and they stress they are only light duty and would not be suitable for carrying a canoe.....

Thanks,
Andrew

[BUSHWHACKER]

I would like to carry a 17 foot canoe on my surf. Trouble is it doesn't have roof rails. Has anyone fitted a roof bar towards the back of the roof (ie not between the doors) ?

or

I've seen posts on the Australian forum where people have fitted their own rails. Has anyone done this over here? If so would love to hear about it.

Thanks,
Andrew

I fitted these last year, 'cos I need to carry sheets of plywood and decking boards and general big flat stuff. They cost me £20 from a breakers. They're from a peugeot estate but I've seen the same rails on Escorts aswell.
I had to remove the head lining to drill through the roof 'cos the rails are bolted from inside, but it only took about two and a half hours.
I was going to buy some cross bars, but I made my own from an old aluminium ladder, held on with exhaust clamps.

[asgawth]

I fitted these last year, 'cos I need to carry sheets of plywood and decking boards and general big flat stuff. They cost me £20 from a breakers. They're from a peugeot estate but I've seen the same rails on Escorts aswell.
I had to remove the head lining to drill through the roof 'cos the rails are bolted from inside, but it only took about two and a half hours.
I was going to buy some cross bars, but I made my own from an old aluminium ladder, held on with exhaust clamps.

Ah, now there is a great idea.
How did you fix them to the roof? Was it just through the skin? Did you have to re-inforce it on the underside? Or were there some cross-members in handy places to which you could attach?

Thanks,
Andrew

[BUSHWHACKER]

With the headlining removed, I drilled the bolt holes as close to the edge of the roof as possible, where the roof panel is welded to the sidepanel, if that makes sense! 'cos it's is much stronger there.
I just used big washers, about 40mm dia. and spring washers on top of them.
The rails have feet on them with rubber pads, but I squirted some silicone around the holes first before bolting them up.
They are really strong, as I can pull myself up with them if I need to gain access to the roof, (for polishing).

[da SLUG man]

wouldn't imagine that a canoe's a "heavy duty" load!!... you can pick them up with yer little finger!.... unless it's a genuine indian dug out log canoe made of the heaviest oak of course.

[asgawth]

With the headlining removed, I drilled the bolt holes as close to the edge of the roof as possible, where the roof panel is welded to the sidepanel, if that makes sense! 'cos it's is much stronger there.
I just used big washers, about 40mm dia. and spring washers on top of them.
The rails have feet on them with rubber pads, but I squirted some silicone around the holes first before bolting them up.
They are really strong, as I can pull myself up with them if I need to gain access to the roof, (for polishing).

Good stuff, thankyou.
Now all I have to do is find some suitable ones. Will let this thread know how I get on...

Andrew

[asgawth]

wouldn't imagine that a canoe's a "heavy duty" load!!... you can pick them up with yer little finger!.... unless it's a genuine indian dug out log canoe made of the heaviest oak of course.

Dream on, I can only just lift the canoe myself! Its a plastic boat, so not one of those fancy fibreglass things.

I guess, it's not the weight that concerns me, its the wind-loading when going up and down the motorway....

Andrew

[BUSHWHACKER]

It's best if you strap it on length ways rather than accross the roof!