I am a mechanical engineering student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. For my engineering design class I am designing a new roof rack system to be used on pick-up's and suv's and was wondering what are some of the features that users would want on this type of accessory. If any current or prospective users of a roof rack system would be kind enough to answer the following questions or leave suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.



1) Do you currently own or are planning to buy a roof rack?

2) Would fold down side rails be a feature you would find useful?

3) Would a sliding or resizable basket be a feature you would find useful?

4) Would a spare tire mount on the rack be a feature you would find useful?

5) Please list some of the must have features a roof rack would need to incorporate before you would consider buying it.

6) How much would you be willing to pay for a rack with the criteria you listed above?

Thanks for your help.

i use to have one on my truck. i fabbed up my own can-back style top out of half in. pipe and a canvas boat cover(cut to fit the top of course <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />) after i bobbed my bed. put a rack on top of it but didn`t really like it. got tired of having to climb up to grab stuff <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />.just imagine having to pull a 36+ in. spare off the top of one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />.

I remember these dog-day projects so here you go jd:

1- Currently own ARB Roof Rack

2- They would be useful but at the expense of strength. All I care about is fitting a 4x8 sheet of plywood on it so a min. 4' width sounds good enough for me. However I have wanted to incorporate a roof top tent to mine and the walls will make this more difficult. I would probably have to cut out the rear or mount the tent above the top of the basket.

3- No, I dont see the point of it. Plenty of anchor points is handy though

4- Not on a car that barely fits in the garage already. My fealing is why waste you roof space for a tire. Design or use the mount on the back of the car for better utilization of space and perhaps even save on some damage in a rear end accident

5- Ability to walk on - i.e. lotsa cross rails with beefy steel - like my ARB <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Light mounts front rear and side would be nice. Walls- i.e. cage type. Mounts for jacks, hi-lift, etc are nice too. Gotta brain fart on this one...

6-I'm pretty happy with what I got so none of the above would move me to something else - I'm pretty set already. Understand the ARB is kinda one of a kind here in the states, its round tube, made exceptionally well, and looks cool. I paid around $700 for it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> including shipping from Australia.

Some pics of at the links in my sig.

Have a roof rack, and do use it on occasion on my truck

I wouldn't find fold down side rails, and adjustable basket or spare tire mounts to be usefull.

My rack(s) are Yakama and a few others that I've gotten over the years at flea markets and the like. The ability to hold the bike or such is really all I need or want. Solid feet and secure gutter rail mounting of the rack serve me just fine. I want and use the adjustability of the rack itself to swap between different vehicles.

Here's my answers:

1. Maybe planning on designing and building one, won't buy one when I can make it myself.

2. No, but the ability to detach and remove it quickly would be.

3. No, not really.

4. No definitely not, too much weight up top, besides gotta tire carrier.

5. Wouldn't, build it myself if I do.

6. Already answered.

Since you're in the Huntsville area, ever been to one of our meetings? http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/

Thanks and good luck with your studies!

Al

I have a Surco Safari Rack not the greast rack, but fits my needs well.


Yes it would be great for me. Its a pain in the <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> to get a cooler or storage box on my rack. That would help alot!


No not to me


Most racks on the market have this as a add on. To me if a rack had it built in I would not buy it, because I have a rear mount tire. If I want to thorw on another spare ratchet strap work fine.


Hi-lift mount!!!(I live in the rust belt, and keep mine inside the truck tho <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) is a must but this could all so be an add on to keep the price down along with light mounts.



$300-$500 range <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Ah, this brings back memories of my senior year at UW-Madison. Senior design. I'll add my $0.02.

1) Do you currently own or are planning to buy a roof rack?
-Don't currently own, possibly buy in near future.
2) Would fold down side rails be a feature you would find useful?
-Only if I could climb on them to access the top easier. (Standing on the tops of my rear tires is NOT always fun.) Else it just sounds like more bulk.
3) Would a sliding or resizable basket be a feature you would find useful?
-Again, if it eases access to the top, especially when hefting big heavy bulky items, then yes. Else light weight would be better.
4) Would a spare tire mount on the rack be a feature you would find useful?
-Nope, again, back to luggin bulky items around and overhead.
5) Please list some of the must have features a roof rack would need to incorporate before you would consider buying it.
-Aerodynamics
-Light weight
-Quick attach/removal
-Adjustable
-Decent price of course!
6) How much would you be willing to pay for a rack with the criteria you listed above?
-$250 to $500

I have built my own but a few things I haven't done yet but are in the planning (go ahead and steal any ideas you want from me but understand If you make them better I will steal them back if you post them) 1.a intergrated ladder that is stored under the rack and pulls out and attaches to the rack and reaches the ground. 2.intergraded light housings for front sides and rear that protect the lights from trees as well as gear and such inside the rack. 3. (This one I have alredy done) hidden wiring routed through the tubes of the rack and terminated to a 4pin trailer harness (front, sides, rear, ground), for easy removal of the rack. So far I have about $125 invested in material and about 12hrs in design and fabrication.

Just My 2 cents Good luck!