Will the factory roof rails be an issue ...

[danrhiggins]

At this point I have included the Black Package with my order which includes the full length roof rails. It appears that the stock attachments can hold up to about 160 lbs. Let's say I wanted to be able to support more - like putting a chair/person up on the roof to watch fireworks or get a photo or climb a tree or whatever.

Are there or will there be other after market attachments (racks or flooring for racks or whatever that will hold >200 lbs and will work with the factory/stock rails?

Should I forego those rails? Should I get them and simply replace them in the future if I need something heavier?

 

[eljefe]

you would need to add some kind of rack or basket on the rails....since the roof of the LR4 is almost complete glass

 

[danrhiggins]

you would need to add some kind of rack or basket on the rails....since the roof of the LR4 is almost complete glass

Thanks. I realize I'll need to add a basket or rack which have their own "floor". I'm just wondering if I will be able to add a basket or rack that can hold >200 lbs onto those factory/stock rails or whether I'll need to replace the rails to add a basket/rack that can support that weight.

 

[eljefe]

i think you would be safer with something like http://www.voyagerracks.com/DIIIVR.htm

they show several people on top. There is another rack company too. I can't think of the name. I am thinking you would need some flooring as well.

Since the OEM rails are limited to 160. I don't think any accessory attached to them will exceed that limit.

 

[mbw]

Ya, a good sturdy rack and some flooring, like marine grade sealed wood or the farmtek plastic flooring will work. I have a voyager rack and when i stick the farmtek on it I can sit up there if I need. The farmtek stuff flexes a little, but it works.

 

[Finlayforprez]

I have the full-length roof rails and an Urban Offroad roof rack. mbw is right, the Farmtek flooring is amazing - I can stand up there easily.

We have discussed this quite a bit, but both Voyager and Urban are great racks. I kept my full-length roof rails so the Urban design fit on top. I think it because it adds a bit of clearance between the rack and roof and definitely holds a lot of weight. I've posted photos previously, but let me know if you want me to re-post.

If you go with the Voyager rack, you will need to remove the full-length roof rails - it bolts directly on with no need for any rails (even half).

 

[Finlayforprez]

Here are a few photos from when I first got my truck and Derek at Urban Offroad installed the rack:

 

[Finlayforprez]

I definitely have more than 160 lbs up on my roof - woops.

 

[danrhiggins]

Thanks, Finlayforprez. I will look at your earlier posts. I saw a lot about various rack options which is great. I'll use that when I decide to get a rack. My primary concern for now is whether to order my LR4 with the full length rails and not. I don't want to put them only only to have to remove them later. But if the Urban Offroad works for what I would need when mounted on the factory rails then I am good to go.

If I have more questions I'll follow up with a PM if you don't mind.

 

[Finlayforprez]

Thanks, Finlayforprez. I will look at your earlier posts. I saw a lot about various rack options which is great. I'll use that when I decide to get a rack. My primary concern for now is whether to order my LR4 with the full length rails and not. I don't want to put them only only to have to remove them later. But if the Urban Offroad works for what I would need when mounted on the factory rails then I am good to go.

If I have more questions I'll follow up with a PM if you don't mind.

Please feel free to contact me. If you order the black design package, then it comes with full-length rails. You can definitely take them off if you wish. My 2011 had a Voyager rack, which I really liked, but I have been extremely happy with the Urban Offroad rack. I ended up going with the Urban Offroad rack because it is the only rack (at least what I could find) that works with the full-length roof rails and their shop was located about 3 hours away (right near Yosemite National Park), so Derek (the owner) did some custom work and installed it for free. He is an awesome fabricator.

I guess I need to do a bit of research myself on this 160 lb limit. It looks as though the roof rails are bolted directly into the same holes that my Voyager rack sat on - then the Urban rack is directly bolted onto that - so not sure if they mean the cross bars? I have my rack, 2 large pelican boxes (each weight about 40-50 lbs), a hi lift jack, and I stand up there quite often - seems to have no issues at all. I know Derek at Urban Offroad has done a bit of testing of the rack, but he has had a lot of crap up there.

Let me know if you have any questions.

-David