Soft Top Roof Rack Prototype -- any interest in this?

[Deltamav]

I'm definitely interested. Is there a way to retain this tilt-back function while also creating a rack that runs the whole length of the roof?

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[22winty]

Great idea 22winty. I referred someone over that was looking for a product like yours. We’re doing something a little different, but I do like your design.

Hey
Greatly apprciated!
I know what I'm working on has very limited capacities so its a different market. I have been asked about tents and canoes and had to reply "not on this rack! "
I will send this type of requests your way!

Thanks!

 

[RAKET]

Hey
Greatly apprciated!
I know what I'm working on has very limited capacities so its a different market. I have been asked about tents and canoes and had to reply "not on this rack! "
I will send this type of requests your way!

Thanks!

Thanks and I’ll do the same. We’re bulkier for sure lol. I definitely think there’s a need for your rack, so let’s both fill a need.

 

[22winty]

Thanks for this real-world comparo.
Definitely interested.
My end use would be gear more than anything else, with the occasional potential kayak(s) if I can make it work. Max of 2 but they are about 80 lbs avg each, so roughly twice the "suggested" cap...if it is even close to looking like a compromise of anything I'll abandon that idea.
Even at 80 lbs, roughly, it will hold a lot of the camping gear (some sort of retro-fitted retractable awning is a must!) I'd be putting up there.

It really depends on the terrain. The 80Lbs capacity was me figuring it's all I need for what I do. Ive done lots of testing at that level.
I've never actually tested its capacity to the breaking point, as I like it and don't want to damage it or the truck.

It handled 80lbs no problem. I bet if you just on the local streets and kept it at reasonable speed there would be no issue with more weight. But don't quote me on that, I still claim its only been test to 80 lbs! ...which its pass with great success!

 

[22winty]

I'm definitely interested. Is there a way to retain this tilt-back function while also creating a rack that runs the whole length of the roof?

There is, and I was originally making this rack for our canoe as well. While working on it I quickly realized the benefits of the short rack and its ease of flipping back.
I've considered making a goal post type bracket for over the windshield. It would be the same hight and designs as the back part but not linked.

The issue with the full length rails is it gets too heavy to tilt even empty. The structure needed to span all that length is a lot.
It also starts to become the GOBI Rack. Which I considered at first, but don't like the safari look or the difficulty tilting, and the potential damage ( I think they've recently worked out....) but there is scary you tube videos of its fails.

The 22 Winty rack is for people like me, who basically use it for luggage, skis/boards, surfboards with no plans for off road, over landing or overloading!

However, I have never tested it to its breaking point. I just know 80lbs is all Ill ever need and its passed that test, quietly with grace and zero damage to rack or truck!

Thanks

 

[Deltamav]

There is, and I was originally making this rack for our canoe as well. While working on it I quickly realized the benefits of the short rack and its ease of flipping back.
I've considered making a goal post type bracket for over the windshield. It would be the same hight and designs as the back part but not linked.

The issue with the full length rails is it gets too heavy to tilt even empty. The structure needed to span all that length is a lot.
It also starts to become the GOBI Rack. Which I considered at first, but don't like the safari look or the difficulty tilting, and the potential damage ( I think they've recently worked out....) but there is scary you tube videos of its fails.

The 22 Winty rack is for people like me, who basically use it for luggage, skis/boards, surfboards with no plans for off road, over landing or overloading!

However, I have never tested it to its breaking point. I just know 80lbs is all Ill ever need and its passed that test, quietly with grace and zero damage to rack or truck!

Thanks

Thanks for the thorough response. I figured those might be the limitations. I'd still be interested in the shorter rack though. The flexibility of being able to both place things on the roof AND maintain use of my soft-top is what I find most useful.

 

[AlexInNY]

This is great. I had written off getting a rack for my ST until I saw this. Any chance of making a cross bar that attaches at the windshield points and creates a span that is level with the rack? Would be handy for toting around a kayak, or in my case a sailboat.

 

[22winty]

This is great. I had written off getting a rack for my ST until I saw this. Any chance of making a cross bar that attaches at the windshield points and creates a span that is level with the rack? Would be handy for toting around a kayak, or in my case a sailboat.

Funny you should ask, I just sent this to another this morning. There's guys in Hawaii asking about 12' long Surfboards.


" I was originally making this rack for our canoe as well. While working on it I quickly realized the benefits of the short rack and its ease of flipping back.
I've considered making a goal post type bracket for over the windshield. It would be the same hight and designs as the back part but not linked.

The issue with the full length rails is it gets too heavy to tilt even empty. The structure needed to span all that length is a lot.
It also starts to become the GOBI Rack. Which I considered at first, but don't like the safari look or the difficulty tilting, and the potential damage ( I think they've recently worked out....) but there is scary you tube videos of its fails.

The 22 Winty rack is for people like me, who basically use it for luggage, skis/boards, surfboards with no plans for off road, over landing or overloading!

However, I have never tested it to its breaking point. I just know 80lbs is all Ill ever need and its passed that test, quietly with grace and zero damage to rack or truck!


Im happy to make accessories if there's a market, so far there's been better then expected interest so we are about to get into manufacturing.....

Please keep in touch and hopefully I can accommodate.

Thanks

 

[AlexInNY]

What you just mentioned is exactly what I was thinking and explained poorly- the standalone bracket /bar attached to the windshield

 

[22winty]

Working on it!

 

[KVK]

I'm definitely interested!

 

[Sweetair]

Interested

 

[sLopeFx]

Nice! I am very interested. I know 80 lbs is what you've tested and besides skis and boards I want to be able to use my large cargo carrier. Have you had a cargo carrier on the rack yet and any thoughts besides weight constraints?

 

[22winty]

Nice! I am very interested. I know 80 lbs is what you've tested and besides skis and boards I want to be able to use my large cargo carrier. Have you had a cargo carrier on the rack yet and any thoughts besides weight constraints?

I’m a fan of Yakama, thier cargo carrier was going to be one of our next purchases to try it out. I’m in communication with them to become a vender so I can sell the racks along with mine

The rack cross bars are
About 36” apart I think that’s pretty standard
It accepts the Yakama ski and Supdawg racks
without modification

I’d have to look at how the cargo carriers attach but there will probably be no issue.
If possible /slightly more perminant / lower profile……I’d drill through the rack and bolt it on

I will look into it

Thanks

 

[sLopeFx]

I’m a fan of Yakama, thier cargo carrier was going to be one of our next purchases to try it out. I’m in communication with them to become a vender so I can sell the racks along with mine

The rack cross bars are
About 36” apart I think that’s pretty standard
It accepts the Yakama ski and Supdawg racks
without modification

I’d have to look at how the cargo carriers attach but there will probably be no issue.
If possible /slightly more perminant / lower profile……I’d drill through the rack and bolt it on

I will look into it

Thanks

That's great. I hope it all works out with them. I have the Yakima Skybox 21. It attaches to the crossbars with a clamp type system. Four medium sized clamps go around and under the crossbars and you tighten them up from inside the carrier with a knob. I need something by first snow in CA!!!

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