8020 rack design strength?

Not sure if this is the best forum for this, but I felt it was the closest.

I'm looking for a solution to mount an RTT to my home built cap. My original idea was 8020 extruded aluminum t-slot profile with standard gussets fastened to the butt ends, and then fasten those gussets to the frame. I know the profile bars are strong enough for the weight, but I'm unsure of the gussets.


My idea.







I know plenty of people have used these gussets on the inside corner. When used on the inside corner each corner can support 575lbs direct, and 500lbs rotational. Knowing this I feel like my design should still be plenty strong.


From 8020.net, gusset strength when used on an inside corner.




What are your thoughts? I did reach out to a local 8020 design team but have not heard back.

 

I'd guess it would be strong enough as well, most factory vehicle racks are only rated for a static load of around ~200lbs

 

I would use a 1530 profile just so you can have more than 1 fastener per bar. You could do a gusset like that but I would do a flat plate and bolt it all from the outside

 

I have a homemade rack of the same material and I had enough trex decking for a 10x12 deck on mine. Didn't even think of it until the loader asked if it was all going on it and how much it weighed. He asked if it could hold it and I told him we'll find out. It didn't even flinch at the weight.

 

I ended up designing this today and have a local shop cutting and forming them. Four bolts into the profile should be plenty. I still only have one 3/8 bolt at each end down through the space frame, but if I calculated it right, each one will have a shear strength of 1,184 pound-force.