Cargo van roof rack

[Zil]

Try Cragslist. I see the cast aluminum ones for sale often within 20 miles of me.

 

[akrvbob]

I have this one on my van:
http://smile.amazon.com/Pro-Series-HTVANRK-lbs-Capacity-Multi-Use/dp/B0014DGZ88/

I've also installed it on 4-6 other vans to mount solar panels. No one that I know of has had any problem with it so far.

It's just a cheap steel rack. I bought it because its $97

I have plywood on my trailer ladder rack and it has been trouble free. Except I didn't paint it well enough so I had to repaint it.
Bob

 

[Luisafernandes]

Bob, I've been thinking, if I use plywood underneath won't it be dangerous while driving, with the air going under the plywood trying to pick it off the roof? What about the noise while driving?
Thanks!

---

What about wind noise with just the roof bars and solar panels?

 

[vagari]

Bob - Does it hold well without having to drill through gutter? I noticed your review on amazon said you drilled through.

 

[akrvbob]

The plywood is on the trailer, and if it makes noise I can't hear it. I have a friend who did it on her cargo van and I don't think it makes any more noise than most ladder racks do. I've driven with her often and I never noticed it.

I've never drilled a hole through the gutter. We put a set of them on a Dodge van and the gutter just would not hold the clamp. So what I did was to drill a hole through the ladder rack so that it worked like a clamp. Solved that problem.

They only have one bolt per side and that makes me uncomfortable. I check them often and none of them have loosened so I haven't done anything else. If they ever loosen I will drill a hole through and put an extra bolt in each and like that better. None that I've ever put on have had a problem once installed so I think I'm just being overcautious.
Bob

 

[vagari]

I have reduced my options to two roof racks. Both are gutter mounted. They will be used to hold 4 100W solar panels.

Pro-Series HTVANRK 500lbs., 2 bar system, $95
- Holds 200lbs more weight
- Several vandwellers have these, no reported problems

Proline VB3762-3 300lbs, 3 Bar system, $115
- Less weight but 3 mount points instead of 2

Would you opt for the one that holds more weight for $20 cheaper or the one with an additional mount point on each side for $20 more?

 

[akrvbob]

I think I'd disregard the manufacturers numbers. It's hard for me to imagine a 3 mount system holding less than a 2 mount system.

I had a friend who was putting a set of the Pro-Series on his van so he and I went in together and bought another together and he took bar and I took the other. I now have a 3 mount system and so does he. If you know someone you can go in with that's ideal.

With 4 100 watt panels I think I would want 3 bars to distribute the weight better. If you don't have anyone to go in with, I'd buy the Proline.
Bob

 

[pilgrim]

Hi
I just put some Vantech roof racks on my Chevy express van, the racks are very sturdy but the harmonic noise is pretty bad. First I moved the front one back a bit and that helped some and just a minute ago I removed the front one but have yet to try it on the freeway. Any suggestions?
Will the plywood stop the noise?

---

Sorry here is the link for the racks: http://vantech.us/H1-Rack-3-Bar-System-for-a-Chevy-Express-1996-On-H1023W.htm

 

[Luisafernandes]

Hi
I just put some Vantech roof racks on my Chevy express van, the racks are very sturdy but the harmonic noise is pretty bad. First I moved the front one back a bit and that helped some and just a minute ago I removed the front one but have yet to try it on the freeway. Any suggestions?
Will the plywood stop the noise?

---

Sorry here is the link for the racks: http://vantech.us/H1-Rack-3-Bar-System-for-a-Chevy-Express-1996-On-H1023W.htm

---

My first question here on this topic was what roof rack should I buy, but lately I'm been more concerned with how much noise will they make. And you are one more that I've read with the noise problem.
I don't know if plywood will help, I'm trying to find that out also. Eventually I'll have to make a decision.

 

[pilgrim]

I took the front one off and it is better at least it's not right in my ear but I can hear the rear racks but they aren't as loud. I read after my 1st post that you can wrap the cross piece with a bungee, Ill try tomorrow.

 

[Bdog1]

I have an older diesel Ford (read noisy) I have a two bar rack , gutter mounted, as low as practical with a 4x6' plywood sheet attached. I find no change in noise. Never ran it without the plywood since shading the roof was my main purpose.

 

[Lafnbug]

Here is what I have:

http://www.nationalladder.com/Weather-Guard-Safari-Rack-Full-Size-Vans-FSV-p/210-3.htm

Hard to justify the cost for your application, but this is the best rack I've had, hands down. It's quiet, bombproof, and powdercoated. It also has some passive stealth with the side rails. After 12 years it is just starting to show some rust at the joints - but I'm not concerned. At some point I'll tear it down, sandblast and redo the powdercoat. I had 1000+ lbs of drywall on it once; no problem.

Again, it's extreme overkill for what you're intending, but you may want to look around for a used one. They generally go for 400-500 around here in good shape.

 

[Luisafernandes]

Here is what I have:

http://www.nationalladder.com/Weather-Guard-Safari-Rack-Full-Size-Vans-FSV-p/210-3.htm

Hard to justify the cost for your application, but this is the best rack I've had, hands down. It's quiet, bombproof, and powdercoated. It also has some passive stealth with the side rails. After 12 years it is just starting to show some rust at the joints - but I'm not concerned. At some point I'll tear it down, sandblast and redo the powdercoat. I had 1000+ lbs of drywall on it once; no problem.

Again, it's extreme overkill for what you're intending, but you may want to look around for a used one. They generally go for 400-500 around here in good shape.

And you say there's very little noise with it? Do you have plywood underneath?

 

[Lafnbug]

It has an airfoil on the front which is probably what helps the noise; it is not silent, but not bad, and easily the quietest rack I've heard. No plywood YET, but I will be doing the same thing you're planning. Probably marine grade plywood, and whatever paint is recommended for that plywood. Heavy perhaps, but I only want to do it once.

Your craftsmanship is inspiring! Looks amazing!

 

[Luisafernandes]

It has an airfoil on the front which is probably what helps the noise; it is not silent, but not bad, and easily the quietest rack I've heard. No plywood YET, but I will be doing the same thing you're planning. Probably marine grade plywood, and whatever paint is recommended for that plywood. Heavy perhaps, but I only want to do it once.

Your craftsmanship is inspiring! Looks amazing!

The airfoil came with it or did you get it separately?
Thank you for the compliment! It's not perfect but will do.

 

[Lafnbug]

Yes, it came with the airfoil. In normal conditions, I don't hear the rack up there, but maybe I'm just used to it after all this time! If it's windy, and the wind is blowing in the right (maybe wrong) direction, I can hear a slight howl as it passes through the bars. Overall, nothing to worry about.

I think another poster mentioned the positioning of the rack; I would start with it as far back as reasonable. Mine is so long that there's not much room to adjust it. With it mounted as far back as it will go, the airfoil is in the same plane as the windshield. This is probably the biggest factor in silence. Also, the leading edges of the side rails are rounded. So, for a monstrosity of a rack, it's about as aerodynamic as you can get. There's a reason people will pay 1K for a rack, I guess!

How do you post pictures here? I don't have a Flickr account.

 

[Luisafernandes]

Yes, it came with the airfoil. In normal conditions, I don't hear the rack up there, but maybe I'm just used to it after all this time! If it's windy, and the wind is blowing in the right (maybe wrong) direction, I can hear a slight howl as it passes through the bars. Overall, nothing to worry about.

I think another poster mentioned the positioning of the rack; I would start with it as far back as reasonable. Mine is so long that there's not much room to adjust it. With it mounted as far back as it will go, the airfoil is in the same plane as the windshield. This is probably the biggest factor in silence. Also, the leading edges of the side rails are rounded. So, for a monstrosity of a rack, it's about as aerodynamic as you can get. There's a reason people will pay 1K for a rack, I guess!

How do you post pictures here? I don't have a Flickr account.

Thanks for the info!
I use the app Tapatalk, very easy to upload pictures.

 

[Lafnbug]

I was trying to pay more attention to rack noise yesterday, and at 75-80mph it is clearly audible, but not deafening. You can hear the wind going though it. Below those speeds, it is much quieter. Like I said, I don't even notice it up there anymore, unlike many previous racks.

I've had other vans and different racks of all kinds of styles, and all made noise to different degrees. The WeatherGuard Safari, by far, is the best. The other nice thing about it is that is has 8 cross braces, so it offers excellent support and a large 'flat' area to mount just about anything. It also has 6 mounts, which are wide and adjustable. The penalties are cost and weight, but I will buy another if I ever need to!

 

[Luisafernandes]

Thanks! You just might persuade me to get one of those.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

The WeatherGuard Safari, by far, is the best. The other nice thing about it is that is has 8 cross braces, so it offers excellent support and a large 'flat' area to mount just about anything. It also has 6 mounts, which are wide and adjustable. The penalties are cost and weight, but I will buy another if I ever need to!

Do you know what it weighs? It looks pretty cool. I could put a ladder and plywood down and sit up there in a lawn chair. I could mount a ham antenna up there. And some solar panels.