roof rack

[monkyboy73v]

Hello all,<br>My name is Wyatt and I am new to this site, so forgive me if there has already been a posting regarding installing a roof rack on a high top van. I have a 1999 Mark III that I am hoping to live and kayak out of and I was wondering if there was any way of mounting a roof rack without removing the headliner and drilling into the fiberglass top. I have seen several different roof racks that attach to rain gutters but none have the clearance for the height of the roof on my van. Has anyone had any experience with this issue?<br>thanks for any help.<br>Wyatt

 

[MrNoodly]

You'll probably need to have a metal fabricator make one for you.

 

[Guest]

I have seen Vans with PVC Racks that hold all sorts of stuff. I saw one with 6" PVC run down the left and right sides, with the use of T Couplers made a ultra strong rack. If this is an Option go to a Plumbing supply house like Fergersons for cheap PVC.<br><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Get a ski rack.&nbsp; https://encrypted.google.com/search...Q&amp;ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&amp;biw=865&amp;bih=366 ..Willy.

 

[RJCooper]

Use black gas iron pipe with mounting flanges.&nbsp; Use 5200 sealant and screws that are shorter than the thickness you are working with.&nbsp; It will cost you about $60 bucks, a pipe wrench, a cordless drill and about an hours time.&nbsp; <br><br>I have two roof racks, one on my truck cap, that carries my 17' Grumman canoe and a 24' ladder for work and one on the trailer that carries two kayaks, one 12' sit inside explorer and one 12' sit-on top angler.&nbsp; Don't fret the hole in the fiberglass or metal top.&nbsp;&nbsp;When you remove them, the holes can be filled with Bondo for under $20.<br><br>Function over form any day.&nbsp; Keep it simple and cheap.&nbsp;

 

[coultergeist]

Hi,<br><br>I had the same problem.&nbsp; My van has a really high top and there just weren't any readily available ladder racks made for it.&nbsp; I took a standard bolt together gutter mount ladder rack and extended the side higher with galvanized metal for heavy duty shelves.&nbsp; I posted pictures and how I did it on my conversion thread.&nbsp; It took a little time but it wasn't difficult at all.<br><br>Hope it helps,<br><br>Patrick

 

[wagoneer]

mine came with<a href="/file?id=1603009" rel="lightbox" target="_blank"><img src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1603009" class="bbc_img" alt="bubbletopracks.jpg"></a>&nbsp;

 

[monkyboy73v]

<span class="status_offline" title="Offline">coultergeist </span>that looks awesome. did you have to weld anything or did it all bolt together? and do you also have a ladder to the roof? my plan is to attach a basket style rack (<a href="http://www.americanvan.com/ladder-r...ier-rack-for-the-nissan-nv-high-roof-van.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.americanvan.com/ladder-r...ier-rack-for-the-nissan-nv-high-roof-van.html</a>) that I can stand on and fit several kayaks. <br><br>I have also discovered another possibility, after removing a section of the head liner I discovered a steal rib cage that supports the whole roof and was wondering if anyone had figured out a way to go through the fiberglass high top and mount a rack directly to these supports. looking for the sturdiest roof rack that wouldn't mind a few hundred pounds on it in a wind storm.

 

[caseyc]

<p>I'm guessing you've already looked at the Yakima or Thule brand roof racks?&nbsp; Pricey, but worth it.</p>