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?

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.

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!