↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > How to Load Patriot Roof Rack
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
Inigo



Member Since: 13 Nov 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 627

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
How to Load Patriot Roof Rack
I have a Patriot rack and am struggling to come up with best way of loading it.

Recently went on a family holiday and could have done with more space in the vehicle. I have a roof box, but this cannot fit to the Patriot rack as the u-bolts are not long enough to fit all the way through the rack and around the underlying support bars, roofbox company cannot offer a solution.
I wanted to take kids bikes, but was nervous of them slipping through the gaps of the rack and damaging the roof, perhaps I should board the rack?
I did see a fully loaded 110 around the Caen peripherique that had loads of bikes on the back and a couple on the roof (laying down). Wondered how these on the roof could be secured.
I have another trip coming up where I will have to carry luggage for 12 people. Would a big tarp and lots of rope and truckers hitches be the best bet?

I note the hannibal rack has in-built slots so that cargo tie down loops can be added. How feasible would it be to add something like Mud stuff cargo tracks to the side of the longitudinal bars on the rack, so that things can easily slide on top?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that drilling the Patriot rack was discouraged, but I see no other way of fixing stuff. I guess if I paint the holes, it should be OK.

Any tips gratefully received.
Post #166478 5th Sep 2012 11:16am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
mrandmrsh



Member Since: 31 May 2010
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 692

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black
When I had a standard box section roof rack on a previous 110 I used to put the bikes upside down and position one so I could firmly ratchet strap the handle bars to a transverse box section. I then did the same with the saddle. I then strapped other bikes to this and the roof rack. Lots of straps but never ever scratched the roof and they were always rock solid. After that I had a G4 Discovery with a floor in the rack and that was SO much easier to load but actually harder to secure the load.

HTH
Craig 2015 110 USW XS in Santorini with premium contrast leather seats in tan/black, black headlining and with Dual Finish alloys (in the garage, now on Wolf rims with Goodyear MT/Rs)

2012 '62' 2.2 X-Tech 110 USW now gone ...
1984 90 soft top with full roll cage, 200 tdi engine etc now sold
2012 USW XS 2.2 "FUU" now gone....
Post #166483 5th Sep 2012 11:44am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
markalpha



Member Since: 23 Apr 2008
Location: Downham Market
Posts: 690

England 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
I use ply sheets to stop bikes scratching roof and rack. Lying them down then strapped down, very secure and less wind resistance.
Post #166486 5th Sep 2012 11:58am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17885

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I secure stuff to my Patriot rack by ratchet-strapping or roping the items either to the main longtitudinal side members (preferably in the vicinity of the support legs) or the cross-members. I have found it to be very easy and the Patriot rack is ideally suited to this approach since there are numerous places to access suitable tiedown points.

If your existing U-bolts for the boax aren't long enough, can't you make some longer ones? Buy some threaded rod and bend it to shape?
Post #166499 5th Sep 2012 1:02pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Inigo



Member Since: 13 Nov 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 627

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
Thanks for the ideas everyone.

I thought about making longer U-bolts and the box supplier said that was a very bad idea. On checking the existing fittings, they are hex rod rather than threaded rod. The existing fittings have a T-shaped head that fits in the slots on aero style roof bars. If I could get some longer ones of these, then I could drill holes and fit them to the slats on the patriot rack, but would have to be quite accurate in my hold rilling.
Post #166505 5th Sep 2012 1:19pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Eduardo



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Región Metropolitana
Posts: 2110

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Inigo

In our case we use frecuently the roof rack. (6-7 persons plus a dog)

At the first step, we covered the roof rack with a perforated 9 mm plywood to do not damage the roof. The plywood are joined to the roof bars trhrough U bolts with 2 sets of nuts that are hooked to the bars, and are used as a eyes to fit the rachets and straps.



Probably in the near future we will replace it for a metalic mesh to reduce the weigth.

For the luggage we use a pair of soft waterproof bags like that, that are enough to all the stuffs that we carry and have its own straps to secure it to the rack. Not expensive and easy to storage when not in use.



For the other things (bicycles, fuel cans, boxes, etc we use rachets to keep all firmly.

A photo of the defender fully loaded Mr. Green


Click image to enlarge
 Eduardo

MY 2007 110 SW PUMA 2.4: Big Fog of 64'
MY 1994 Jayco 1207 Folding camper: "El Tremendo"

Click image to enlarge
Post #166517 5th Sep 2012 2:09pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

United Kingdom 
Inigo, yes it is possible to fit cargo track to a Patriot roof rack. If you know where you want the load rings we sell short sections of track with two bolt holes, pack of two with load rings £14.

The long rails plus the edge of the slats provide good purchase for ratchet strap claws. If worried about marking the rack use some pvc tubing over the claws.

Another idea double loop webbing straps as anchor points for bungees/ratchet strap.


Roof box bolts not long enough. If they have channels in unistrut nuts may well work.



Brendan
Post #166528 5th Sep 2012 3:25pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2025 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums