| Author | Message | ||
     R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 339 Registered: 07-2002 |
I love having the adventure rack. I got it at the end of last summer thinking that I would use it to put our camping gear on - how right I was. I have not used it to it's full potential yet, but now that we have a kid, we will not be able to fit nearly all our "stuff" in when we go for 3 days or more. Anyway, the rack is great, it also solves the problem of having to buy multiple systems for bikes, skis, etc... I just throw them up, strap them down and go. Well, the strapping down and finding just the right spot for stuff has been a shortcoming of the rack. The cross bars and longitudinal bars are so far spaced that unless you have an item which can span them, they are virturally useless for really laying things on top of. Many of you have used expanded steel grating, or maybe aluminium sheeting, or the plastic sheets - all of which are great solutions. I wanted the strap down abilities of the grating without the weight and the fact that you pretty much have to weld it on. And I really like the plastic sheets, but I wanted to keep the top open. So I hunted around and found galvanized fencing for cattle at a local feed store - in Boring, Oregon - the stuff is a grate of square 4 x 4 inches. I cut it to fit - using a dremel, which takes forever!! Use something different if you do it. Painted it black and strapped it down with zip ties. It looks great, is strong enough to stand on, weighs about 10 lbs., you can strap or hook things to it at any spot, and it was only $20 bucks for all the supplies! It may only be a temporary thing - a year or two, but so far the only real weakness is the zip ties, which might simply get old and start falling off after 6 months or so. Here are the photos:  | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 340 Registered: 07-2002 |
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| John Davies (John_davies2) New Member Username: John_davies2 Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2003 |
Looks nice, but as you said, the zip ties are a weak point. What is the diameter of the wire, and is it welded at the junctions? Also, don't expect the paint to stay on the wire. You can't paint galvanized steel with commonly found paints. It will just blow off eventually. Personally, I would have left it shiny. | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 422 Registered: 06-2002 |
Thats great. Would you feel comfortable standing on it in-between the bars? That is a great option if I can't find some expanded metal. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2000 Registered: 04-2002 |
tack a few welds on it and you will be good to go. One hell of a 2000th post eh??? | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 341 Registered: 07-2002 |
It is welded at the junctions. I think it is about 3/8 inch thick. I am not too concerned about the paint, it is mainly to match the rack. I will keep an eye out for some sort of stronger tie down - short of U-bolts that is. In the mean time I have about 10 zips on each section, and will probably add more of the heavy duty type. I am really happy with the way it looks and with it's usability. P.S. it came in a 5 x 20 foot section, so a lot of cutting was nessisary. I will use the other part to make a dog-guard/tie-down "wall" in the Series IIa. http://landrover.mrbaileyshistory.net | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2001 Registered: 04-2002 |
I meant weld it to the adventure rack so you don't have to use zip ties | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 342 Registered: 07-2002 |
Yes, I can stand on the middle part between the rack bars, but I only did it to test it, I will basically keep one foot on the stronger spots to spread my wieght around, it flexed a bit when I did that. I weigh about 175 lbs, so it is probably good for that much or a little more without getting bent out of shape permanently. Mainly, it makes it easy to balance up there, easy to just lay things up there between the cross bars, and easy to tie things down on. | ||
| Jack Parker (Jack) Member Username: Jack Post Number: 94 Registered: 03-2002 |
FWIW, We use grid wall in our retail shop, which would work equally well in this application. It comes in various widths/lengths and available in powder coated black. It's pretty heavy duty stuff, you could easily stand on it. I cut it with a circular saw and a carbon cut-off blade. Ours comes new from Walter Martin Co. on Fed. Ave. in Denver but should be available from most used fixture outlets too. I don't have a rack, but threw this out as a suggestion. I do use Yakima cross bars and a Rocket Box for extra storage when needed, it's hell getting stuff up there though! | ||
| Jack Parker (Jack) Member Username: Jack Post Number: 95 Registered: 03-2002 |
Also R.B. - I think this looks like a really good solution  | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 426 Registered: 06-2002 |
Jack, what is grid wall? Do you have a picture or a website? I am in Denver so I might be able to use it if its good. | ||
| Reed Cotton (Reedcotton) New Member Username: Reedcotton Post Number: 22 Registered: 01-2003 |
I think this is a great solution. Good work! If you don't want to weld it, you could use stainless hose clamps instead of the plastic ties. Just get the right size so you don't have any "meathooks" sticking out. -Reed | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 343 Registered: 07-2002 |
Good idea about the hose clamps, I will look into them and other stuff. FYI, I made a mistake, it is 3/16 inch - not 3/8, sheesh. The grid wall display stuff is pretty much what I was originally was looking for, Home Depot had the shelving stuff, but not in the form I needed. This feed store I bought it from had all sorts of fencing, I think this stuff is used to make cattle shutes and removable cages etc. If it works out over the long run, and if all my abuse doesn't ruin it, I will have to search out some of the heavy duty grid wall display stuff or find someone to powder coat a new one for me - like I said, it only cost me $17.00! | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2006 Registered: 04-2002 |
cable ties are good for rigging stuff up but hose clamps are even better... he he | ||
| Jack Parker (Jack) Member Username: Jack Post Number: 96 Registered: 03-2002 |
Go to www.walterwmartin.com and follow the links to grid to see various sizes. Here's the description: 3 in. square opening grid. Constructed of 1/4 in. dia. wire. Grids have double vertical end wires for added support. Ideal for clothing, shoes, exhibits, sporting goods, kitchen accessories... SKU BLK24 Size 24 in. wide x 48 in. high Color Black Price $ 14.90 Each The double vertical end wires make it pretty beefy, but unlike galvanized, this stuff will rust. Not sure how this pic will upload, but I'll try.  Wow, that's one exciting picture. | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Senior Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 1260 Registered: 02-2002 |
MR. Bailey, One advantage I see with your concept is the fact that wind will still flow through the rack and floor. Whereas, with a solid sheet of diamond plate, you are adding more wind resistance and more weight. With your design, the weight you save from the diamond plate can now termed as usefull load. Good job! | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 481 Registered: 09-2002 |
Before I got to your picture I visualized the grating that ranchers use on roads to keep the cattle from crossing. lol Your solution is much better than what I visualized. | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 347 Registered: 07-2002 |
Brian, if it was Bill Clinton, he would have visualized... nevermind. But he did get cattle guards mixed up once too. Paul, yes. Part of my apprehention about the steel expanded grate was the weight, and the weight of the plastic can get up there too. | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 348 Registered: 07-2002 |
Brian, what are the shakles under your winch attached to? Are they on the brush guard? Have you reienforced that at all? |
