I am pretty sure the rack will be able to hold more than 200lbs. I have had much more than that on my Yakima many times not including wind load on the 4 bikes or the Rocket Box. The rack is not tied to the area on the roof with the ridges, which is what I think is rated at 200lbs. The 4 rack tie in points are much stronger than that. Or maybe I have just been lucky?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Mod

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

okay, so i am of the belief that the roof can handle much more than 200lbs, especially when i think about what i have alone put up there. so onward with the rack!

got started on it last night, so if the roof collapses i will be the first to tell you folks!!!

i'll keep you posted, i like how it looks so far, not bad for my very first welding project!!!

i still have no idea how to work the wind fairing vs roof lights dilemna. input would be helpful...

Very nice! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Yes very nice rack that you have going on there....I have a plan S.U.V rack that mounts to the already rail system on the roof....seems to be holdin up quite well....


click on pic you can see a better view...now I have my High lift mounted on driver side...still seems to be ok... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

OK, here's the basic dimensions for the stock roof rack mounts:
Width = 39.0" between the mounting strips, 42.5" outside to outside
Length = 65.0" front edge to back edge, 48.0" back edge of front to front edge of back mount

I didn't try to remove my rack, so I'm not sure what the bolts/holes config looks like inside the mounts.

I took a few photos - not sure they'd be of much help. If you want 'em anyway, say so.

That rack you're fabbing looks awesome. Re: the 200lbs, my guess is that's the rating for the cross-bars for the stock rack. They're not too beefy. The main bars look pretty strong tho'

Tom
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thanks dude - from what i can tell it is not as big an issue as i had thought it would be - those dimensions should fit perfectly with the rack, its going to be 41"x55" i will build a lower "rail" that goes from hole to hole, then the rack sits on it.

plan is to have a wind fairing, four lights fromt and two rear.

its more work than i thought it would be !(cut, weld, grind, weld, grind, weld, grind, repeat)

made some good progress on it today, i like it so far...

i have to put the floor in it now.

Sweeet. Very nice job - looks way stronger than many of the aftermarket safari racks I've seen.

What kinda floor you thinking of? I'm sure you know to not make it too 'solid/filled-in' or you'll end up with lots of air/wind-loading (think a wing) on your roof...

I've looked through the Rodeo manuals I've got, and couldn't find anything about the OEM rack mounts. I'm assuming it isn't just mounted to the roof sheet metal, but to some kind of structural elements with greater load carrying/distribution structure than that. My guess is if you can tap into the OEM mounting points/structure that's likely going to be better than drilling your own mount points. Good luck!

yeah, the floor is going to be 1 1/2 x 1/8 flat steel, running lengthwise and spaced out about 4" from each other.

in the front of the basket, under the flat steel i am putting a thin steel grate like thing (looks like chicken wire, but 1/16 thick) that way in the front i can carry smaller things , like muddy tow ropes or gassy/oily things

i think its going to be really practical