I'm prepping my van for a long long apprentice type trip, I need to test out a few things before we take off. I am seeking advice about putting a roof rack on a pop top, I cant see anything off the shelf. I'm considering putting slide off solar panels on the roof rack so as to negate the need for extra panels if we park in shade. Thus moving those panels to a sunny spot whilst we are set up.
The roof rack would also be useful for other things, maybe putting the smelly baby weber q up there, or even a small generator, which is something you wouldn't want to carry inside the van. I'm having no luck browsing finding anything about this. I do know if I kept anything on the roof rack whilst camped, I would probably need hydraulic struts to assist the pop top raise.
Would a two rail rhino rack be enough? I don't think it would be personally as it's not raised enough for the slight hump in the middle of the pop top.
I'd love some feedback on this basic issue.
Warren-Pat_01 said
12:46 PM Oct 4, 2018
Good idea palaceboy BUT -
I assume it would be a small rack like the VW Kombis had in the 70s ( do a search on the VW Kombie club, forum). It was fitted above the driver/passenger in front of the lift up lid.
Aero-dynamics have just disappeared! Di you know much weight are you allowed to carry on your roof? Things like generators, Webers could become missiles in an accident or a sudden stop.
Have you considered towing a small trailer?
STRETCH ARMSTRONG said
08:53 PM Oct 4, 2018
Hey palaceboy, I agree with Warren-Pat_01.
A small enclosed trailer for your extra gear is the go and you can mount your solar on it's roof safely.
A friend with a coaster just added a trailer for his extra gear which including a motorised push bike.
-- Edited by STRETCH ARMSTRONG on Thursday 4th of October 2018 08:54:18 PM
palaceboy said
10:13 PM Oct 4, 2018
The trailer idea does make a lot of sense. Will be able to put an extra battery box in it as well. It's got too many pro's to rule out.
The negatives are ease of parking. Which is a biggie in my book, there again that's from someone that has very rarely, probably only 2 or 3 times in my 63 years towed a trailer. I know the smaller ones are harder to reverse, so it should be good training if I go on to something bigger. Which is what this apprenticeship lap is all about.... finding out if it's worth investing 10,000's in for us and gaining knowledge on the road.
outlaw40 said
07:15 AM Oct 5, 2018
Warren you have made a mistake in your post,you have the words Toyota hi ace and aero-dynamic in the same sentence. Haha about as aero-dynamic as a besserblock.
Yes, towing a trailer is a draw back - two more tyres, sets of bearings & as you say they can be woeful to park - unless you can drive straight in. A lot of towns have special parking bays for long vehicles those towing something - rarely an issue except for getting fuel at the Coles-Shell at Emerald!
If you select a trailer that is suitable for the weight you want to carry, it won't cause you any problems. If it is too heavy in the suspension, it will bounce all over the place & destroy what is in it unless they are well tied down. Are you handy with your hands ie, could you make a set of drawers that could sit I a trailer to hold your goodies? And fit a solar panel on it with a suitable controller to charge your spare battery (AGM) - it doesn't have to be super flash, just functional.
I am assuming this is an introduction to touring around - there is an old four letter word that refers to a lot of things - KISS (keep it simple, stupid). Go on a trip somewhere in Victoria, ACT, NSW or SA with what you have without worrying about generators, spare batteries & gigga-watts of solar & see how you fare. If it appears that you ultimately need something better, more comfortable then start looking at the lightweight trailer/camper trailer set ups - eg a small CUB, some of the smaller tent-trailers. You don't have to own a bank to pay for it. The HiAce is rated at 400kg (unbraked towing capacity) & 1400kg with brakes.
We have graduated from a tent, tent trailer, Jayco Camper - Eagle to our Discovery. All up, we started being able to go anywhere, to a bit more restrictive 1, to a bit more restrictive 2, to a bit more restrictive 3 - with comfort levels improving!
Warren-Pat_01 said
08:41 PM Oct 6, 2018
Outlaw, you're a bit cheeky aren't you? And what do you use to travel around in - a Maserati?
I would have thought there are vehicles worse than a HiAce, VW Kombie as far as aerodynamics go. I recall tests being done by the old PMG (yes, I worked for them) where a station wagon was proven to be more fuel efficient than utes & sedans as there is less disturbance in the air flow - so really the Kombie style of vehicle should be quite good
outlaw40 said
06:39 AM Oct 7, 2018
Warren my comment was ment as a little joke ( you do remember them RIGHT )
However on a serious note do you honestly believe that any change to the aerodynamic affect is going to make a rats bumbs bit of difference to any of the vehicles you or I drive . The difference may save or cost you 50c a year give or take. I can live with that.
I'm prepping my van for a long long apprentice type trip, I need to test out a few things before we take off. I am seeking advice about putting a roof rack on a pop top, I cant see anything off the shelf. I'm considering putting slide off solar panels on the roof rack so as to negate the need for extra panels if we park in shade. Thus moving those panels to a sunny spot whilst we are set up.
The roof rack would also be useful for other things, maybe putting the smelly baby weber q up there, or even a small generator, which is something you wouldn't want to carry inside the van. I'm having no luck browsing finding anything about this. I do know if I kept anything on the roof rack whilst camped, I would probably need hydraulic struts to assist the pop top raise.
Would a two rail rhino rack be enough? I don't think it would be personally as it's not raised enough for the slight hump in the middle of the pop top.
I'd love some feedback on this basic issue.
I assume it would be a small rack like the VW Kombis had in the 70s ( do a search on the VW Kombie club, forum). It was fitted above the driver/passenger in front of the lift up lid.
Aero-dynamics have just disappeared! Di you know much weight are you allowed to carry on your roof? Things like generators, Webers could become missiles in an accident or a sudden stop.
Have you considered towing a small trailer?
Hey palaceboy, I agree with Warren-Pat_01.
A small enclosed trailer for your extra gear is the go and you can mount your solar on it's roof safely.
A friend with a coaster just added a trailer for his extra gear which including a motorised push bike.
-- Edited by STRETCH ARMSTRONG on Thursday 4th of October 2018 08:54:18 PM
The negatives are ease of parking. Which is a biggie in my book, there again that's from someone that has very rarely, probably only 2 or 3 times in my 63 years towed a trailer. I know the smaller ones are harder to reverse, so it should be good training if I go on to something bigger. Which is what this apprenticeship lap is all about.... finding out if it's worth investing 10,000's in for us and gaining knowledge on the road.
G'day palaceboy,
Have a look at this https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/perth/cars-vans-utes/1976-series-2-vw-kombi-campervan/1191719965. I've seen better vans with better roof racks (but still light weight & I wouldn't put anything heavy on it).
Yes, towing a trailer is a draw back - two more tyres, sets of bearings & as you say they can be woeful to park - unless you can drive straight in. A lot of towns have special parking bays for long vehicles those towing something - rarely an issue except for getting fuel at the Coles-Shell at Emerald!
If you select a trailer that is suitable for the weight you want to carry, it won't cause you any problems. If it is too heavy in the suspension, it will bounce all over the place & destroy what is in it unless they are well tied down. Are you handy with your hands ie, could you make a set of drawers that could sit I a trailer to hold your goodies? And fit a solar panel on it with a suitable controller to charge your spare battery (AGM) - it doesn't have to be super flash, just functional.
I am assuming this is an introduction to touring around - there is an old four letter word that refers to a lot of things - KISS (keep it simple, stupid). Go on a trip somewhere in Victoria, ACT, NSW or SA with what you have without worrying about generators, spare batteries & gigga-watts of solar & see how you fare. If it appears that you ultimately need something better, more comfortable then start looking at the lightweight trailer/camper trailer set ups - eg a small CUB, some of the smaller tent-trailers. You don't have to own a bank to pay for it. The HiAce is rated at 400kg (unbraked towing capacity) & 1400kg with brakes.
We have graduated from a tent, tent trailer, Jayco Camper - Eagle to our Discovery. All up, we started being able to go anywhere, to a bit more restrictive 1, to a bit more restrictive 2, to a bit more restrictive 3 - with comfort levels improving!
Outlaw, you're a bit cheeky aren't you? And what do you use to travel around in - a Maserati?
I would have thought there are vehicles worse than a HiAce, VW Kombie as far as aerodynamics go. I recall tests being done by the old PMG (yes, I worked for them) where a station wagon was proven to be more fuel efficient than utes & sedans as there is less disturbance in the air flow - so really the Kombie style of vehicle should be quite good