Door / Clamp Mount Roof Racks w/ Roof Basket - Safety Concerns

LSensei888 on 23/12/2020 - 23:09

Hi,

I have these door mounted roof racks http://www.whispbar.com.au/products/6/whispbar-hd coupled with this 20kg roof basket https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/202137578294?mkevt=1&mkcid=28&ch…

It says the max load is 75kg for the roof racks, but how much stuff can I safely put in the basket? Can I put up to 55kg of gear into the basket, or do I have to consider wind resistance adding extra load to the racks? I don't have very much confidence in these clamp style racks, and not sure if the basket is just going to tear the racks off once I get on the highway.

Thanks.

Automotive

Comments

  • Snake 4 on 23/12/2020 - 23:21

    I have no idea if your racks will 'blow off' but I would be checking the book that came with your vehicle to see the allowed weight on the roof.

    BTW. There is difference between static and dynamic weight on a roof.

  • artxty on 23/12/2020 - 23:31

    I'd rather not overload your roof rack max load capacity to be safe. I'd probably factor a 8-10% for wind resistance, so maybe i wont go over 50kg on top of your basket.

    I have Rhino roof rack and Rhino basket, and i dont usually past 40kgs on my basket.

  • singlemalt72 on 24/12/2020 - 09:34

    There is a huge safety factor built into the load limits on roof racks, that is because they are designed for a dynamic load including things like wind resistance. Of course, do not exceed the stated safe load limit, but as long as they are installed correctly (regularly check and tighten when carrying load) it will be fine.

    FWIW I run the same bars on 2 vehicles with roof pods filled to safe load limit (and probably above at times) and have never has troubles.

    Looking at the link you provided, the actual load limit is 50kg, but that is per bar giving you 100kg total. However, you also need to look into what the load rating of your roof is.
    All explained in here;
    https://www.prorack.com.au/sites/aufiles/files/uploads/load-…

    • singlemalt72 on 24/12/2020 - 09:38

      Edit - clicking on your link took me to the page for my recommended fitting kit (cookie I suppose) so yours is likely 75kg.
      Hard to tell on the strength of the basket and no SWL provided.

      • Sensei888 on 24/12/2020 - 10:47

        Thanks, have you tried to move the roof racks by hand? If I use all my strength I can shift them slightly side to side. I can't seem to tighten it any further.

        • singlemalt72 on 24/12/2020 - 18:32

          I have them pretty tight and they don't appear to move unless I really put my back into it.

  • Brian McGee on 24/12/2020 - 10:06

    I'm sure the car manufacturer has located a suitably strong point in the roof turret/beam and the roof rack manufacturer has designed a similarly rugged clamping bracket that the general public need not worry about 'having very much confidence in these clamp style racks'.
    the only way they will fall off is if you fail to fit them correctly or overload the combination.

    • Sensei888 on 24/12/2020 - 10:45

      Clamp style racks have a little bracket that goes into the door cavity, there's no strong point. If you looked at how they attached I think you would find it questionable too.

      • Brian McGee on 24/12/2020 - 10:52

        if you line up the correct marking on the roof frame and place the bracket there it will not move during normal operation.
        If you cannot fit them properly according to your make/model via the owners manual take it to a roof rack supplier, mechanic or auto store and have them fitted.
        saying there is no strong point is incorrect, you cannot fit them wherever you want,they must be placed in the position mandated my the car manufacturer. if there is no marking on the car or advice in the manual, you have bought the wrong racks for your vehicle. Or prorack have made a mistake in their catalogue.

        Edit:
        You are also only focusing on one aspect of what makes the roof rack work. There is a ledge where the gutter mould is on the roof panel/turret joint. There is a 90 degree(ish) clamp opposite this ledge. There is an exact copy of this on the opposite side of the car. There is also the tension you place through the roof rack bar once the clamps are fitted (dont overtighten unless you want whistling).
        Would you complain about the relative lack of tension/lip on a wheel rim when mounting a tyre before you pump it to the recommended pressure? because they fall off with no pressure, but are able to handle aggressive turns when 30psi is applied.

  • Euphemistic on 24/12/2020 - 19:32

    They are rated for 75kg, so you can put 75kg up there. Wind resistance comes into it a bit, they are designed to deal with 75kg at freeway speeds - as long as you don’t have something with a ridiculous wind profile like the size of a fridge.

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