Thoughts on this roof basket?

[snowmirage]

Anyone seen something similar in person? Maybe someone happens to have this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16059312 ... 309wt_1165

Money is very tight but I feel iffy about going out without a spare tire. And the trip I am planning next month the truck will pretty much be full of people / cargo.

Most of the other racks I have seen look like they run $400 or more

This might also be nice as I think I can probably figure out a cheap way to might the high lift jack to the side of this thing.

O how I wish I had tools and a garage and a welder so I could practice doing some fabrication and just build stuff like this.

[snowmirage]

Looks like I might be able to mount the jack with this

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-and- ... H%2fL4X400

to the plate on the front of the rack, assuming its strong enough. Cant even tell if its metal from the description. Thats the price you pay for being cheap. I suppose if it ends up being plastic I could just get a peice of steel / aluminum cut to replace it.

[navigator]

I expect you could drill two holes in the side of the rack and mount the high lift there using two long bolts and maybe a couple of pieces of rubber cushion.

[The Roadie]

It's an aluminum rack, and I would not put a HiLift on it to turn into a javelin in any sort of crash. I quit carrying mine up high after I thought about the risk for a few minutes.

Buy a high quality item and you only cry once, is the phrase. If that's out of the question, buy a cargo bag like my original Coleman to put soft/light items in, and carry the spare inside. If you're carrying people, at least advise them to pack in soft-sided duffels/luggage.

Or get one of the rear hitch-mounted cargo platforms from Harbor Freight for under $100 and keep excess cargo out of the windstream. You'll get better mileage that way as well. Unless your trip requires maximum departure angle.

[Diacom]

Here's another option as well...

http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1922

[galacticfuzz]

That rack is decent, but like Roadie said, it's aluminum. I bought that same rack (Gander Mountain though) and even though it fits nicely, my concern has become durability when it's loaded up. Having not used it yet, I have contemplated returning it and getting one that is a little sturdier. When I bought it, my primary thought was that it would be lighter weight, which would be good for it up on the roof. Here is the link to the Gander Mountain one.
http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=428750&pdesc=Larin_Roof_Top_Cargo_Carrier&aID=507B4&merchID=4006

[navigator]

I'm no engineer and some members on here are but I would expect if you stay under the recommended weight limit it should be fine under all but extreme circumstances. If you are an average guy doing average things then the average carrier should work.

If you get into a high speed accident and do several rolls there will be lots of parts flying likely no matter what the carrier.

Here are some options for receiver mounted spares bit they don't fold.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/50320 ... arrier?s=1
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/REESE- ... _sku=2ZPT7
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... ier=946596

This seems like something Mike could jump on and build one for the rear that folds down. I'm sure the oil skid, rad skid, front bumper and end links keep him pretty busy to go along with real life.

[snowmirage]

Thanks everyone

All very valid points. I frankly dont think I will even leave the spare or the jack up on the roof all the time if I go that route, just when I plan on hitting the dirt.

I certainly prefer the idea of mounting the spare and jack in the rear, and there have been a lot of great ideas / designs floating around the forums already

This sounds fantastic to me

http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=33209

Unfortunetly even though I am confident I have the skills to take on such a project I don't have access to the garage or the tools to do it atm.

And I think the closest friend that does is about 4hrs away lol

I was actually considering going to buying an inexpensive MIG welder a few days ago until I thought more about it and remembered I no longer have a garage...

I'll keep checking with the guys at the new job and see if anyone has a garage / workshop I can borrow if not I might just pickup one of those baskets for the time being.

[snowmirage]

Doing some more searching around as I think about which option to go with I came across this post over a trailvoy

http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=73209

He had a great experience with a particular ebay seller, which is still selling this rack

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ROOF-RAC ... 747wt_1165

ebay seller is "discountramps"
was under their roof racks category

this one's actually steel and I think its a bit larger as well. Seems like a great deal

I might go that direction. Even if I don't maybe it'll help someone else searching later on.

It actually looks to be very similar to the one Diacom was referring to but it looks like that one may be on backorder.