Questions On Roof Racks And Cargo Boxes.

[new2BC4bass]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but since these items will be used for my "bass boat" thought I'd give it a try. Please move if in the wrong forum.

I'm hoping to buy a Porta-Bote if their prices aren't too high. I know nothing about roof racks. To me if you've seen one, you've seen them all. However I'm sure there are differences that would make one better than another. I just don't know what those differences might be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also since I'll have a roof rack, I'd like to have some kind of container I can put on it that would hold my rods. Hopefully it would be large enough to also put some tackle in it. Haven't tried searching yet, but figured there has to be a few people out there with some knowledge they could pass along. Don't think I would like one that is too high.

Thanks.

[Fishing Rhino]

If you're going to get a roof rack "system", they come in all configurations. You can get containers that will hold skis, fishing rods plus tackle. If you're concerned about the price of a Port-a-boat, you'll be shocked at the cost of a good, sturdy Thule or Yakima roof racks.

You'll need to budget close to five hundred dollars for the roof racks alone. You can buy less expensive roof racks, but in the end, you get what you pay for.

[new2BC4bass]

If you're going to get a roof rack "system", they come in all configurations. You can get containers that will hold skis, fishing rods plus tackle. If you're concerned about the price of a Port-a-boat, you'll be shocked at the cost of a good, sturdy Thule or Yakima roof racks.

You'll need to budget close to five hundred dollars for the roof racks alone. You can buy less expensive roof racks, but in the end, you get what you pay for.

Thanks. I'll take a look at those 2 lines sometime this weekend. Wouldn't want my gear blowing off the roof!

[(='_'=)]

if you have any welding skills, making a rack is really easy, and really cheap.... it depends on what vehicle you are installing it, but you can always look at the original and then copy them.... in the end, any rack is just welded steel... i have made racks, bumpers, tire carriers, for jeeps, and they hold just as well as any factory made product... for a fraction of the cost... last rack i made was only $30 and materials and an afternoon in the shop.... and i have been using it for 2 years without a problem....

[(='_'=)]

i forgot to add. some vehicles have different ways of attaching the roof rack.. in a jeep for example, some roof racks have posts that come all the way down to the bumpers... this makes them stronger than one bolted to the roof.... so, in what vehicle do you plan on installing the rack??

[new2BC4bass]

LaSabre. I don't weld. $30 sounds much better than $500.

[(='_'=)]

LaSabre. I don't weld. $30 sounds much better than $500.

well, i dont really know how to attach a rack to a car.... if you are willing to drill the roof, its easy =) otherwise, what i would do is check for commercial racks for the car, and then copy the system they use to hold it in place... dont be afraid to do it, metal is metal, even if it has the Warn logo in it, its still metal, theres no reason why you cannot do it yourself... if you dont weld, you can always learn! i got my welder for about $250, with what i have done for my and some friend's jeeps, it has payed for itself several times now....

[new2BC4bass]

Thule no longer makes a fit kit for my car, so I went with a Yakima. Salesman at rackattack said Thule is changing the design of their system. Hope to get the roof rack mounted tomorrow morning so I can do a bit of fishing this weekend. With my new boat, that is.

[Wintersun]

Thule and Yakima cross bars can be used with the rails on a roof if the car has them or with the gutters or without gutters. The bars and mounts can be easily moved from one car or truck the next one with only the need to possibly replace the 4 feet.

 

The Porta-bote is only 4 inches thick when folded so easy to strap it to the bars directly. I have bought the split foam tubing designed for insulating hot water pipes at the local building supply to cover the bars. The foam has a contact glue strip on each side so they stay on the bar. With the slight give in the foam rubber whatever is strapped to the top stays snug with a couple rachet straps.

 

For the rods Thule makes a 84" long storage box that is designed for skiis and is a good fit for most rods and some tackle. The ski type boxes also have a lower profile and provide less wind resistance. I would avoid putting much in addition to the rods in the box to avoid damage to the rods. There is also the option of mounting a section of ABS pipe with capped ends to the rack but the storage box is more versatile though more expensive.