ERMB's D-I-Y Rack System Build

Beefy is okay, wasn't sure the cost effectiveness to try and do a custom sized rack like this.

Saw a Load Warrior for $100, which is attractively priced but it's not much room. Trying for a second kid so trying to formulate a plan to add a little storage space for trips.

 

Nice trying is half the fun. best part of these s you can make them to the size to suit your needs , a little wider or longer than normal or whatever works best. Its like an adult size Erector Set.

 

Thought I'd share my Unistrut project. Here are my bed bars I fabed up for a RTT. I did not paint because these are just a place holder until my bedrac shows up. Then I will modify them for a shelf inside my bedrac and paint at that time.

 

I got my rear "Faux Runner" rack mounted up. I used Yakima square nuts and 1" stainless steel spacers to mount it, and extra washers on the ends to account for the curvature of the roof. Front rack is all welded up and ready for paint. I'm waiting to do the side plates so I can cover up my mistake if I don't get them exactly the same height. I may decide to skip the side plates and just do a fairing. Opinions welcome.

 

very nice. any way you can take a close up pic on your mounts? Also, how did you get a hold of the yakima square nuts?

 

Looks Great Brooks! Like @vuTron said I'd be interested in seeing how you put together the mounts.
Also what are your plans for the front rack how are you planning to mount that one. I just realized the other day that I'll need to figure out some sort of a spacer since the middle of the roof is higher than the back. My front rack is only going to the middle anyway, but I'll still need to account for that space.

 

I bought them online. ETtrailer.com or something to that effect. I can look back in my email if you need me to - I only keep 3 days worth on my phone and it is older than that.

The front rack is a little more challenging. I think I have it figured out, but let me try my idea before I lead anyone down the wrong path. I hit both Lowes stores and one Home Depot in town yesterday and still came up short. I had to do the Amazon prime bailout and should have everything by Wednesday. I'll try to take pics along the way and will post up the details. It may be next week sometime depending on whether or not I head to CO for the weekend.



Not sure how helpful these pics are. From bottom up, there is: square nut, Yakima track, 1" strap with pre-drilled holes, washer, 3/8" x 1" stainless steel spacer, 1/4" x 1-1/4" thick washer, superstrut, 1/4" x 1-1/4" rubber washer, another thick washer and a M6 x 1.0 x 45mm screw with some blue loctite. Note that I flipped the cross members that are mounting points upside down so that I didn't have to make up as much distance. I drove about 20 miles of washboard over the weekend and nothing moved when I re-torqued.

 

@PHTaco thanks for posting the detailed pics... yes, very informative. great job! can't wait to see your front rack design.

 

Back on the Yakima nuts -- it's Yakima anchor plate A

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Yakima/Y8810074.html

 

@PHTaco

perfect... I think that's exactly what I need. in fact, that site even sells the whole nut/bolt/washer combo. Question: Do you know the exact width measurement of your square washer? I have a Yakima track, but I am not sure exactly which track. I'm just trying to see if these square nuts will fit my track. website does not list width measurement.

 

I'll measure the nuts and the track tonight.

 

The nut is 0.74" x 0.89". The short side goes crossways in the track. The track is 1.64" wide. I hope this helps.

 

Perfect. Thanks for the follow up, I'm gonna do my measurements again.

 

@PHTaco

Looks like my track opening (internal) is 13/16", which is 0.8125". I think those nuts will work... winner!

 

I tested the rack out over the weekend

 

Looks great Brooks, nice work on the rack and im glad everything is working as it should!

 

What shell is that? Just curious what kind of weight mine will handle. How much weight was up there with the RTT and people?

 

It is a snug top. I was solo last weekend, but have camped in it with my wife and two kids when I had it on Thule bars -- so 450+ lbs of carcasses plus tent weight. From what I have seen in the RTT thread, static weight is not an issue, and all shells have a dynamic weight rating great enough to let you carry a tent. My tent is one of the larger models and probably weighs 150-200#.

 

So I was at HD this past wknd, about to buy all the parts and make my rack. I ended up not buying anything once I actually picked up the unistrut. I was really surprised how heavy 3 pieces were. I don't have an exact weight measurement, but it just felt HEAVY. Not sure I want that much weight up there. I plan to leave the rack on semi-permanently and it's my daily driver, fuel efficiency is a concern.
ack... I'm conflicted. Debating on just going with the 2-bar Yakima system, which is significantly lighter.

 

I was about to put my Yakima bars on Craig's list. Shoot me an offer.