What's the outside/inside diameter of steel piping/tubing used on roof racks? Or, your recommendation. Going for strong, but light weight.
Thanks,
Jake
Thanks,
Jake
Roof Rack Steel specs
- Thread starter romigenv
- Start date
i built my rack out of 1 inch EMT, you can buy it at lowes or home depo. i can send you pics if you would like. the rack weighs next to nothing and has supported 300lbs with out flexing 
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BrianM
Guest
Pics would help.
Here's my story, not that anyone cares.
Last year I bought 1 pack of the Thule high foot mounts for my existing cross bars. I did this through Thule parts on-line. When they didn't show, I called Thule to determine status of my order. Customer service pulled my account and realized what I was trying to do (I had ordered all the parts separately as opposed to a package you buy in a store) so they changed the order to send me a different product number. But, somehow left the original order in place. Result is I ended up with two sets, which is 8 feet, enough for 4 cross bars. I'm getting two more cross bars soon. What I'm going to build is the top portion of a SD like rack to mount on my Thule bars. I realize that it won't be as strong, but, I don't need it to be. The bars I have mounted now seem pretty strong and I've put them through some abuse.
What's EMT? ___ metal tubing?
Here's my story, not that anyone cares.
Last year I bought 1 pack of the Thule high foot mounts for my existing cross bars. I did this through Thule parts on-line. When they didn't show, I called Thule to determine status of my order. Customer service pulled my account and realized what I was trying to do (I had ordered all the parts separately as opposed to a package you buy in a store) so they changed the order to send me a different product number. But, somehow left the original order in place. Result is I ended up with two sets, which is 8 feet, enough for 4 cross bars. I'm getting two more cross bars soon. What I'm going to build is the top portion of a SD like rack to mount on my Thule bars. I realize that it won't be as strong, but, I don't need it to be. The bars I have mounted now seem pretty strong and I've put them through some abuse.
What's EMT? ___ metal tubing?
romigenv said:
I used 1/2 inch (12.7mm OD x 9.3mm ID) mild steel tubing pitched roughly 100mm apart down the lenght of the roof, with cross braces at 300mm pitches. This was all welded together, galvanised and then powder coated. This whole rack was then mounted onto 4 standard roofrack crossbars. It's extremely strong, but weighs a ton!! About 30 kgs. It gives a massive load area for bulky goods.
i guess the best way to describe EMT is that it is used in the electrial field to run wires through. you can bend it with a hand bender and my brother welded it up with his Tig machine, but a mig machine would work also. if yall want closer pics i can walk down to the parking lot and take some. enjoy
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RCFloyd
Guest
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AlanB
Guest
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RCFloyd
Guest
Very nice pictures guys!!
It's so nice to see a true DIY at work!
I'll do it too... once I get a rig!
Robert
It's so nice to see a true DIY at work!
I'll do it too... once I get a rig!
Robert
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AlanB
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Be careful welding galvanized steel, the fumes that it produces is not good for you, just a word of precaution.
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danielm60660
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Wait a minute...I never thought that electrical conduit stuff would be strong enough to make a rack. If there are any plans out there I would be veryb interested in a copy. I'm willing to pay for plans.
Daniel
Daniel
ok guys my brother used 125 feet of 1" EMT, at $1.80 a foot. so a rack with out the mounting brackets and flooring would be around $126 ish. but i would sill like to trade a rack and some $$ for a series rover selling plans might be another option, just send me a PM
selling plans might be another option, just send me a PM
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XScoutguy
Guest
Nice work-did you fab the mounts on the rain gutters also?enonz98lr said:ok guys my brother used 125 feet of 1" EMT, at $1.80 a foot. so a rack with out the mounting brackets and flooring would be around $126 ish. but i would sill like to trade a rack and some $$ for a series rover
sure did, the mounts are made out of 2" angle iron, also bought at lowes. the hi lift mounts and the lock system for it is also home made feel free to ask anymore questions....always glad to help out.
feel free to ask anymore questions....always glad to help out.
oh and XScoutguy i noticed you are from Mt. Airy. everheard of Camp Raven Knob? im going to be the RKORES instructor there this summer, so the rover and the rack will be there this weekend, and most of the summer. were you in scouting?