BajaNomad

Roof Rack

Bob53 - 8-3-2015 at 06:49 PM

Looking for a good roof rack to mount to my 4x4 Suburban. Can any of you recommend a particular brand that are built well and durable?

MMc - 8-3-2015 at 06:53 PM

Look at Baja Rack.they seem very well built. My rack is 20 plus years old and the guys that made them are gone.
http://www.bajarack.com/racks

Maderita - 8-3-2015 at 08:07 PM

I'm assuming that you are not asking about the typical Yakima / Thule crossbar type surfboard/bicycle/kayak type racks. ??

Are you asking about a full rack with a bottom and sides which can handle cargo? The popular heavy duty rack, 1970's - 1990's, was Con-Ferr, with the distinctive round "porthole" cutouts at the corners. The racks were strong, with the best gutter clamp on the market. Gone out of business many years ago. Another company claims similar designs and equal or better quality.
http://www.diamondrax.com/#!roof-racks/cfvg

Custom Road in Spring Valley, CA can probably size a rack to your vehicle.

Another option is to get a heavy duty ladder/lumber rack. I had a KargoMAster on a Ford E-350 extended van. Valley Camper Sales in Escondido, CA sold and installed it. Make your own floor with a sheet of plywood.
http://www.kargomaster.com/products/commercial-van-equipment...

MMc - 8-4-2015 at 07:43 AM

If Diamond is as good as they say, go with them. I still use my Con-fer rack.

chuckie - 8-4-2015 at 07:50 AM

Those Con-Fer racks are Da Bomb....Dunno where you would find one tho..

Bob53 - 8-4-2015 at 03:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  
I'm assuming that you are not asking about the typical Yakima / Thule crossbar type surfboard/bicycle/kayak type racks. ??

Are you asking about a full rack with a bottom and sides which can handle cargo? The popular heavy duty rack, 1970's - 1990's, was Con-Ferr, with the distinctive round "porthole" cutouts at the corners. The racks were strong, with the best gutter clamp on the market. Gone out of business many years ago. Another company claims similar designs and equal or better quality.
http://www.diamondrax.com/#!roof-racks/cfvg

Custom Road in Spring Valley, CA can probably size a rack to your vehicle.

Another option is to get a heavy duty ladder/lumber rack. I had a KargoMAster on a Ford E-350 extended van. Valley Camper Sales in Escondido, CA sold and installed it. Make your own floor with a sheet of plywood.
http://www.kargomaster.com/products/commercial-van-equipment...



Yes, I'm looking for a full rack with bottom and sides. I have track rails that run front to back that are mounted to the roof. That's where I would like it to mount. I'll check out your suggestions. Thx!

[Edited on 8-4-2015 by Bob53]

Ken Bondy - 8-4-2015 at 05:41 PM

I can't say enough good things about my Con-Ferr rack.

Custom made

John M - 8-4-2015 at 05:58 PM

I had a fabrication shop make a full rack for my Tacoma bed. Small, one of a kind jobs is not their specialty, but the owner is an avid off-roader and he liked the idea of making it. You can't rush a shop like that, as production jobs that make the money come first. I ended up paying something like $300 and it fits perfectly and is exactly what I wanted.

I suppose that more of an off-road fabrication shop would be a good start for shopping it.

John M

Bob53 - 8-18-2015 at 12:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  

Are you asking about a full rack with a bottom and sides which can handle cargo? The popular heavy duty rack, 1970's - 1990's, was Con-Ferr, with the distinctive round "porthole" cutouts at the corners. The racks were strong, with the best gutter clamp on the market. Gone out of business many years ago. Another company claims similar designs and equal or better quality.
http://www.diamondrax.com/#!roof-racks/cfvg


I decided to go with the Con-Ferr style rack made by Diamondrax. Very nice and helpful staff. I went with a 54" wide by 84" long and 6" tall rack. Should add plenty of cargo space and look good on top of my Suburban. Rack should be done in 2 or 3 weeks. I'll post pics after I mount it.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Edited on 8-18-2015 by Bob53]

woody with a view - 8-18-2015 at 12:37 PM

...lemme tell ya alls a story 'bout a man named Jed......

:lol:

Bob53 - 8-18-2015 at 12:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
...lemme tell ya alls a story 'bout a man named Jed......

:lol:


E I E I O. Oh wait a minute...wrong song.

woody with a view - 8-18-2015 at 12:51 PM

they're gonna confuse you with those trucks restocking the segundas!

Maderita - 8-18-2015 at 08:16 PM

Curious, does it come with a floor?
Way back in the 80s, I welded expanded sheet metal to my Con-Ferr rack to make a floor.

Bob53 - 8-24-2015 at 03:47 PM

Not a solid floor but cross members with slats welded in between.

chuckie - 8-24-2015 at 04:30 PM

Use expanded metal...works great!

woody with a view - 8-26-2015 at 07:30 AM

what chuckie said!

MMc - 8-26-2015 at 08:04 AM

Expanded steel is good but noisy. I went with wood but it is heavy.

Bob53 - 8-26-2015 at 01:11 PM

I own and operate a sheet metal fab shop so I am very familiar with expanded metals. It's not very strong and bends very easily but is great for some applications. I really don't feel I will need any flooring on this rack because the welded in slats are positioned fairly close together. If in the future there comes a time where I do carry something up top that requires some flooring I will probably just lay down a small piece of plywood.

MMc - 8-26-2015 at 01:56 PM

Bob, it seems you have it under control, did you receive the rack yet and how does it look?

custom

BFS - 8-26-2015 at 01:57 PM

I have had these guys in AZ make me a few racks over the years and they are the bomb. Strong, light, and made to order, any size. They ship via Greyhound:
BlackOut rack
blackout@npgcable.com

Bob53 - 8-26-2015 at 02:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
Bob, it seems you have it under control, did you receive the rack yet and how does it look?


It's not finished yet. I will be sure to post some pictures after I mount it to my vehicle.

Bob53 - 9-21-2015 at 02:02 PM

Picked up the rack on Saturday. Seems to be built very well and installed nicely to the existing rails on the roof. It measures 54" wide X 84" long X 6" tall. It's very similar to the old Con-Ferr racks. Thank you, Maderita, for the link!




[Edited on 9-21-2015 by Bob53]

[Edited on 9-21-2015 by Bob53]

MMc - 9-21-2015 at 02:04 PM

Nice! will you put a floor in it?

woody with a view - 9-21-2015 at 02:07 PM

pimpin..... let me ya alls a story bout a man named - oh never mind!!!:light:

edit: get some KCs mounted on the front and light up the night!

[Edited on 9-21-2015 by woody with a view]

Bob53 - 9-21-2015 at 02:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
Nice! will you put a floor in it?

Not a permanent one and only if what I'm carrying would need a floor. I'll probably just be hauling large storage tubs filled with misc. stuff most of the time and spare tires.


[Edited on 9-21-2015 by Bob53]

David K - 9-21-2015 at 02:59 PM

Baja Designs is in San Marcos, almost to Vista off Mission/S. Santa Fe ave. They are the off road lighting masters these days if you want to mount a pair of LED or HID lamps up there. They have combo patterns that mix spot with wider driving beams so you can get a combo distance and area illuminated.

I recently was given a tour of the facility. Ask for 'Bailey'.

http://www.bajadesigns.com/

http://www.bajadesigns.com/products/offroad-lighting/offroad...

Bob53 - 9-21-2015 at 03:46 PM

I used to make parts for them.

David K - 9-21-2015 at 04:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob53  
I used to make parts for them.


Sweet! They have been into motorcycle off road racing so much, the automotive side was not well known. They hope to change that. Those little 4" 'Squadron' and 'XL' LED lamps put out as much light (or more) as the giant 8" La Paz HID lamps!

Maderita - 9-23-2015 at 01:26 AM

Bob53,
Glad to hear that the info and link were helpful. Looks like a great choice of a super strong, well made rack for your rig. Good photos showing the details and how much welding went into making your rack.

Just an impression (not based on any evidence): The rack looks bulletproof durable. The weak link may be the factory roof rails. I'd check the roof rail mounting screws periodically for tightness. Dirt roads and washboards find a way of revealing the weak links.

proneman - 9-23-2015 at 04:21 AM