Topic: Want to add roof rack!

[Fowlhunter]

I need some help here with the pros and cons so please speak up and let me know what you think.
When I purchased the Ole girl I always wanted to add a roof rack but never did, I think it would make her look much better!  I could pick one up from the dealer or find one on Ebay, give me some feedback on installation.

Also, what are your thoughts of adding some kind of cross bars and or rack on the bed covers?

Thanks

[MyBigToy]

I'm the opposite of you, then. I specifically did not want a roof rack. They add an additional point for leaks, they decrease your gas mileage, they add noise to the interior, and you rarely if ever use them. We had a rack on our 2000 Exploder and never used it; the Enclave has a rack and we haven't used it so far.

I've not installed one but I've read through threads of people who did. I believe you'll have to pull the headliner out and you'll have to drill at least 4 holes in the roof. I like the rack on the bed covers idea better. I've seen several of those that I thought looked pretty usable.

Sorry I couldn't provide detailed instructions but at least I added my $0.02, for what that's worth.

[bluedevil]

Yep.  Pull out headliner, drill, grommets, seal.   Again in every other year.  I guess depending on the type of sealer and how is added it may last longer.


The rack on the bed sure is better idea.

Heck, even a Thule basket on the covers would be great.  You can fit lots of birds there.

[Ski Edition]

Looking at going the route of attaching one to the bed panels.  Even with a small ski rack on top, there is wind noise and I'm sure, some drag.  There was one for sale on TOS, but couldn't come to terms with the seller.  Would love to have a basket to throw coolers, etc in when we go camping.   

[oHIobellboy]

Anyone know offhand the weight limits on the bed covers? Something to keep in mind.

[Fowlhunter]

From the threads I've read the headliner doesn't need to be removed, there is a template that is used to locate the rack then holes are drilled in the roof and some type of bolt/well nut is attached then attach the rack.  From the threads I've read it doesn't appear to be that difficult.  I'm not sure of the weight rating, I thought I read 75lbs somewhere? I thought it would add to the look especially if I were to add a basket to the rack! 

[MyBigToy]

The weight limit on a panel is either 200 or 250 lbs. so if you have the rack attached to two panels you could load it up with 400-500 lbs without an issue.

[kklobe]

I have the factory rack on the roof so I can't speak on any install issues.  I also have a Yakima rack on the back and I can speak of install issues. 
The rack looks great and now that it is solid I use it.  Yakima (at the time I did mine a year ago) did NOT offer a rack system for the bed cover of the Av.  I used what I had seen online and found all of the part numbers to put it together.  I run a bike shop and I have installed racks on vehicles that were made for said vehicles.

The rack system on my Av, I could have pulled off with my hands once it was on.  I had to do some minor modifications to get it to stay put with any load on it.  I had to countersink small carriage bolts into the covers and then seal everything to keep water out.  But getting the rack on was a royal pain in the  to say the least.

If you put a rack, towers and load bars, on the bed, make sure they are specifically designed for the cover of the Av or you will have problems getting the towers to stay put - they will slide backwards in transit with a load.

Kevin

[Richie_Rich]

I've never used my rack on the roof, but that one BD posted looks cool.

I don't like the idea of putting a rack set up on the bed covers.
If I need to remove them, I'd have to take the rack off and store it.
I'm sure it would be more useful than the one on the roof though, but not worth the aggravation to me.

If my rack tuns up missing, I'll know who to go looking for.

[Fowlhunter]

You don't actually mount the rack on the bed covers, I don't like that idea because I need to remove mine so often it would be more of a pain in the  than it's worth.  I've seen threads where folks have mounted the rear cross bar to the location of the rear grab handle area and the front in the area of the vents just inside of the sails.  This way you could have a ton (so to speak) of weight mounted to the bed rack and not even touch the covers!

I'm not sure how often I would use the roof rack but I think it would make the Ole girl look more rugged plus I could go with a basket and possibly add lights!!