Hi guys,

So myself and the wife love camping and really want to do a few trips to France and possibly Spain, I suggested a roof tent, to which she agreed would be ideal as if we get tired of driving we can pull up, pop the tent up and have a kip.
Now I find myself wondering a few things, which type of roof rack am I going to need to fit a roof tent up top, roof rails, the type you can pick up from Halfords for £100 ish or am I going to need a full roof rack similar to those fitted to the G4 FFRR L322's.
Obviously we don't want to spend a fortune on a roof rack as a roof tent costs a small fortune but, we don't want to loose our roof tent down the motorway by skimping on the roof rack!

All opinions, reviews and advice for all roof bar/racks greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance,

Sam.

This is G4 one without floor and would think you'd need a floor built so roof could take weight of tent?:


Range Rover L322 Expedition Roof Rack
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorb...source=sms "YYS" G4 FFRR
G4 2006 Thailand Support Vehicle - Fleet Number 81

Her Ladyship reckoned the standard longitudinal roof rails and key operated cross rails are fine for her Howling Wolf roof tent on her 2003 TD6. I got her another pair of cross rails and advised that the necessary spacers be made for front and rear rails to compensate for roof curvature so that four cross rails could be used but apparently the folk who fitted it didn't agree so it was only fitted on two. Hung on fine at Miss Leadfoots normal rate of progress.

Not seen it yet. May never see it 'cos she tried to drive under a car park height restriction bar and knocked the tent either off or back doing some damage.

Clive

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I had looked at the cross rail options, after a few google searches it seems quite a few folks out there use them with roof tents and big roof boxes with no problems.
Since posting I've looked at the prices of full roof racks, glad I was sat down at the time!!

Three Rhino Rack heavy duty cross bars together with the appropriate feet.

I'm using the feet that came off my Rhino bars to hold up a Rhino Pioneer Platform. Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Do you have a link to the rhino rack brand?

http://www.rhinorack.co.uk/Vehicle_LAND%20..._4101.aspx Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

How handy are you Sam?

I can put my hands to most things, roof racks on the other hand aren't as simple as you'd think tonmake lol

So after endless roofrack/roof bar searching I've noticed some roof bars come as a kit with longitudinals that go over the 3 rack mounts on either side of the roof. Are these necessary or just a sales gimmick to bump the price up?

Sam, most commercial roof rack required you to remove (cut off) plastic flip cover. on my i made a chanel so thy stay, you just open them.

spacers i made from end grain pine wood and fiber reinforced body filler. bolts are SS treeded rod and cross rail I'm using is 30x20x1.5 mm steel.

^ Interestingly I have been thinking of making a set of roof bars along similar lines, but using hardwood blocks to make the mounting blocks. You have even used dome nuts on the threaded rod used to hold everything in place as per my sketches.
My intention was also not having to remove the cover flaps so they can be closed when the bars are not on the car.
I was considering using 32mm x 1.5mm stainless steel tube as the cross bars but might consider using your idea of rectangular section.
Given the roof is curved front to back did you fit 3 bars or just 2 to avoid having to make the centre mounting blocks a different height?

I really want a roof tent but wouldn't want to snap the covers off the fitting holes on the roof.

Keep threatening to the wife that I am going to buy one!

cheers Alex

2018 Skoda Kodiaq vRS
2009 Caterham Supersport Race car
2007 M5 Touring
2005 Range Rover Vogue SE Supercharged
2004 SL55 AMG

One doesn't need to snap off the covers with the Rhino Rack - my covers are still there. Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

nicedayforit,

I didn't make third cross bar because i don't need one . Roof is curved and slanted to the beck so my cross bar supports are toller in the beck ( front 160x45x45mm beck 160x45x50mm) this making the platform level to the ground. Using body filler makes easier to set supports level and plum and lives nice imprint which keeps it in place.