RE: [Paddlewise] Raingutters, ripped mounts

On 5 Feb 2004 at 15:28, Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com wrote:

> > Having factory racks made into something other than a decoration is
> > also a no-brainer
> 
> Being a truck die-hard, I've never owned a car with any sort of rack -
> factory or aftermarket.  So, pardon my ignorance... are you implying
> that given the choice between an aftermarket system, versus mounting
> aftermarket accessories to a factory rack (which you "may" be saying
> is more decorative than functional), I'd be better off with the
> totally aftermarket setup?

_IF_ the truck rack is basically a decoration, then yes, you'd be 
better off with an aftermarket.

To be honest, the worst factory rack I've seen was on a Taurus wagon. 
The cross bar was broken from a single kayak.  I met the owner at a 
symposium and he wasn't too pleased with it as a kayak carrier.

I wasn't impressed with a Windstar I once rented, but the big issue 
there was how easily one could remove the rack and walk away with the 
thing after attaching stuff - zero security.  IIRC, their rack rating 
was only 100lb.

There are other tales of factory racks being poorly attached to the 
roof.  Load limits of 100lb are typical.  OTOH, I've seen a couple of 
factory racks that look pretty tough - at least the longitudinals. 
One was a friend's, ummm, Korean brand wagon (forget the name).  The 
cross bars aren't as impressive but can be replaced with brand name 
aftermarket crossbars if the longitudinals are good.

If you look at a typical van converted for use carrying ladders and 
stuff, they use a bolted-on steel rack that can carry a lot of load.  
That demonstrates that the underlying roof is plenty strong.  They 
could provide a factory option for a roof rack that could allow a van 
to carry four kayaks with ease, instead of breaking under the weight 
of two.

I know a lot of folks that use factory rack side rails to hold a 
homemade rack in place.  The kayaks/canoes etc are carried by the 
homemade rack and the factory rack just keeps things from slipping 
around.  

Mike
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************