Roof racks on the Fiberglass topper????

[badmix]

I havent had too much luck with my idea for a cab over roof rack on my Blazer, so im thinking of going with a track design roof rack for the topper. Has anyone done this? I guess drilling thru the top could/would be scarey. lol.

Anyways, here is the company I was looking at.

http://www.everythingsuv.com/surco_urban_roof_racks-esuv.asp

Not really sure what all I would carry, nothing too heavy, maybe stuff like soft bags, etc. cooler maybe, etc. I know I wouldnt put gas/water cans or spare tires up there.

Any thoughts, suggestions, comments, opinons greatly appreciated.

 

[Skigirl]

Drilling into the topper is no big deal if you have the double layered top (I think that's standard for half cab). I drilled 1/2 inch holes for well nuts. It's easy and the well nuts hold my rack with no problem and no stress shows on the topper. I have a Con Ferr rack, but any would attach easily this way.

IMHO, I wouldn't worry about figuring out a different system. The track needs to attach to the topper somehow, and there aren't any rain gutters on it...

 

[badmix]

Got any pics inside and out of your rack, that be cool to check out.

 

[BKinzey]

I've been told by a 250+lbs guy he's climbed onto his rack and no problems

 

[txfiremank5]

Probably not a problem for small things, like you said. I've seen pics, here, of members who had their tops start cracking from heavier items like spares. They start coming apart at the seems.

 

[AuH2O]

Does anyone know what load capacity the racks that came as a factory mounted (or dealer mounted?) option were rated for? I'm guessing it couldn't have been too much? About 250lbs, if that? Here's two pictures of one from back in the days:

http://brochures.slosh.com/1985/blazer2.jpg
http://brochures.slosh.com/1985/blazer6.jpg

Anyway, if you chose to have both a rack and a deflector mounted from factory/dealer, you would've ended up with something like, what, 14-16 holes drilled before you were even handed the keys - so I guess these tops would hold up pretty well for drilling, huh?

 

[dremu]

Got any pics inside and out of your rack, that be cool to check out.

You just asked a woman if you could have pictures of the INSIDE of her rack?

-- A

 

[BKinzey]

Since somebody already broke the ice about her rack I'll ask about well nuts. I'm guessing that's a 1/2" hole for like a 3/8" nut which is recessed so your fastener will be flush with the roof? Pics would be great. Where'd you find them? Did they come with a seal?

 

[dremu]

Since somebody already broke the ice about her rack I'll ask about well nuts. I'm guessing that's a 1/2" hole for like a 3/8" nut which is recessed so your fastener will be flush with the roof? Pics would be great. Where'd you find them? Did they come with a seal?

Well, both -- it's a rubber threaded ... uhh...

http://www.raderproducts.com/rubberNutInserts.htm

I am reminded of Ren And Stimpy ... DO YOU HAVE ANY RUBBER WALRUS PROTECTORS? CALL THE POLICE!!!

Cough. Anyway.

-- A

 

[badmix]

Okay, thanks for the technical and the colorful comments. , im still on the fence about drilling thru my top. I know I can waterproof it, I jus wonder about fatigue to the top itself. I like the channel type mounts, where you use alot of screws, etc. I like the idea of some long plate metal going underneith as well. which is what id end up doing.

 

[Big91RustyBucket]

Okay, thanks for the technical and the colorful comments. , im still on the fence about drilling thru my top. I know I can waterproof it, I jus wonder about fatigue to the top itself. I like the channel type mounts, where you use alot of screws, etc. I like the idea of some long plate metal going underneith as well. which is what id end up doing.

Thank's for my new sig ....

 

[badmix]

Great sig lines come from the most unsuspective of places.

 

[Big91RustyBucket]

But I notice you don't have one lol ....

 

[badmix]

But I notice you don't have one lol ....

Im on it. lol.

Problem solved. Ive just recently started using this sig line. It seems fitting when ppl complain about things in life and how things arent fair.

 

[Skigirl]

You just asked a woman if you could have pictures of the INSIDE of her rack?

-- A

Sorry, the inside of my rack was too dark to see in a pic. But here's the outside of my rack:

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.Oh, yea, like I'd show you for free...

But here's a link to a pic of the topper's well nuts (the rack isn't on the topper at the moment as the topper isn't on the truck at the moment):


Well nut installed: IIRC it's 1/2": http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/24/565/9/54/70/2396954700031425221udsgdQ_th.jpg



Inside the topper:http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/52/452/3/57/65/2969357650031425221bXDXgS_th.jpg