Sorry another question

[Bookend]

I need to make a decision whether fitting a roof rack on top of the camper is a good idea.

Part of me thinks its would be good for light weight load capacity without cluttering the camper.

the other part says don't add extra weight that high up.

Do you have them fitted and if so what do you carry on them?

[zildjian]

Finade might care to weigh in here, as both of ours (in conjunction with a winter cover thrown over roof) form a reasonable impression of a child's paddling pool,
so unless you intend to never cover it in bad weather, or especially need one I would say no myself

[rubberrat]

My own opinion.. Roof racks look good, they give a better profile to the rig. Looks more 'purposeful' - But in reality, they are of little practical use.
My SKarosser was spec'd with two roof racks as the original owner towed a microlight and carried the wings on the roof.

I don't have a decent pic showing the roof line other than this one...




You are right about putting weight up that high. My rig is just over 3 metres tall so getting up there is a project on its own.
And most racks are flimsy aluminium extrusions . Also consider wind loading and affects on MPG etc.
If the camper you buy has them on, then they are fine. You might put chairs or a windbreak or something light up there, but if you have to pay for them them I wouldn't bother.

They make fitting a winter cover near impossible too. (water pooling) but one positive advantage is fitting roof mounted kit like solar panels (on the far side to the pic above fitted to the front rack) or a roof box/ski box type thing. Although on my example the large Heki rooflight over the overcab bed pops up into the middle of the rack!

[FinAde]

I agree, they may look the part but both of our roof vents open up into the area covered by the roofrack, and it's hassle to get up there. As referred to earlier, here is our picture of said paddling pool.

[Bookend]

Too many negatives then so we won't bother as I can't see us using it much.

[rubberrat]

Good call, you can spend the savings on towing mirrors!

[Bookend]

I think the saving will be going towards a rear fitted awning canopy

[zildjian]

Well without the roof rack (and its ladder) now, you can fit a nice wind-out awning off Fiamma

[zildjian]

OK Steve air;
easy: airbags>fill/empty valves>thats it

or more complex;







5G tank slung inside rear bumper with pressure control switch triggering>





'Viar' compressor under bonnet to keep it topped up to around 120PSI>





rocker switch & gauge in view below handbrake>





fill & empty solenoid controlled valves beneath rear seat>

[Bookend]

Thanks for the pictures Zildjian I'm away from home tonight on my iPhone so I'll take a good look when I'm back tomorrow.