33 replies to this topic

[andystevens5]

Hi All

In a nutshell I’m after a roof rack but I’m really struggling to find one that’s not going to cost a fortune!

I’ve been searching threads and doing a bit of research and the best roof rack option I’ve come up with is one from Minimail at £135 or the little Gizmos people who sell the same ones on ebay for £165 delivered. They are the ones that look like this



So, lots of money!!!!!

There must be some cheaper options? What have you guys done with your racks?? maybe I can nick some ideas : o )

Thanks Loads

Edited by andystevens5, 17 July 2009 - 12:37 PM.

[mini_turbo_pete]

i got the same one from mini mail this time last year for £89 delivered, they obviously twigged that people would happily pay £130 for them at shows and put their prices up

[andystevens5]

I guess we all need to make money

Has anyone custom made one from pipes and wood?

[miniman retford]

joe-m has made one !
http://www.theminifo...x...123362&st=0

[Shifty]

Heres mine




I got it 2nd hand off a forum member, they do turn up if you search.

(Oh and mine isn't for sale because I love it!!)

There are stories of people making them out of domestic copper heating tube and then having them chromed.

I do believe that I saw in a mag not long ago on a traveller??

Edited by shiftyseamus, 17 July 2009 - 01:14 PM.

[andystevens5]

Thanks miniman, Joe M how did you get the bends in the right place and what type of metal poles are they?

Shiftyseamus nice motor! Making them from copper sounds much easier than bending steel but doesn’t copper dent and bend really easily? If it strong enough then copper may be the way forward!

[Shifty]

Thanks, I love my Poo!!!


Copper tube is pretty strong, try and dent your water pipes at home!!!

Easy enough to braize/bend and you could go for a semi-industrial look and use the elbows and T-pieces as well.

(makes it even easier!!)

You can get the bending springs from B and Q as well, no kinks

Polish up the copper, stick nice wooden slats on and job done.

You'd need to make up the feet and fixing brackets though.

I think for the feet you can use the same type of rubber feet that caravans awnings have to stop them damaging the side of the caravan.

Edited by shiftyseamus, 17 July 2009 - 01:39 PM.

[Jordie]

a friend of mine is currently making roof racks. Hes still perfecting them before releasing them on ebay. He used steel tube, with our bender and hes made tooling for the press to make the brackets. Fitted nicely on my clubman estate as a test.

[andystevens5]

Cheers shifty,,,,, "i love my poo",,,, made me laugh out loud!

I would probably paint the rack white so it goes with the rally theme however the T-bars and fixings is quite an interesting idea!

Could you do me a massive favor, measure the dimensions of your one i.e. width length corner to corner, heights ect, also the width or gauge of the piping used. Would really appreciate any measurements thanks in advance if you can!

So looks like making my own could be a goer.

[Shifty]

Happy to do that.

Its peeing down with rain outside so it won't be today!!

I have the memory capacity of a gnat, so chances are I won't remember, drop me a PM and remind me.

[andystevens5]

ok will do mate.

The more i think about it the more i quite like the idea of a more square type design instead of the all the slightly curvy ones that are available and that look would be achieved with copper piping a T pieces from b&q perfectly, would also make it possible to keep it low to the roof and right to the corners of the roof!!!.

Any ideas on fixings?

[andystevens5]

Hey look at these!

[captainjack15]

Come on some one get some dimensions up!! *gimmie* Or even better a CAD drawing thing

[nurseholliday]

Old Ford and VW roof racks, cheap on eBay, fit perfectly.

Sorted.

Edited by nurseholliday, 17 July 2009 - 05:22 PM.

[Shifty]

Thats the kind of thing I was thinking of!!

Would look uber cool.

For the rubber feet look at these

http://shop.ebay.co.... ...t&_osacat=0