10 replies to this topic

[melcooke]

I'm thinking about mounting a Yakima crossbar system on the rear of my ATC Ocelot. I would have 2 short sets of crossbars, one on each side of the doors. I want to be able to attach 2 short kayaks vertically in summer and two ski boxes in the winter. Don't want a rooftop system, getting too old to be putting stuff up top.

 

Bikes in the summer will be on our Yakima swing to the side hitch rack so they won't be on the back of the camper.

 

Anyone have this type of arrangement on a camper.

 

Is there a better alternate? Ideas appreciated.

[Gussie]

Not sure how similar my situation is, but I had the boys at ATC install two sets of Yakima tracks - one toward the front, and more in the back - on my Bobcat when they built it. Since I have a Fantastic fan in the front, and a basic vent in the back, I had to work around these, as the each crossbar couldn't clear the two vents.
A year later I had one more set of tracks installed to make up for the space in the 'middle' of the camper.
Now I have three sets of three short tracks, and I can place my two crossbars wherever I please. I have a 12' kayak, so I might buy a third crossbar, but I haven't felt a need to. I can simply move the crossbar further to the front.

Make sure you weather-proof if you DIY!

Hope this helps - I can post a pic if you'd like.

[melcooke]

Thanks Gussie but I don't want racks on the top of the camper. I have thought of using the tracks on the back of the camper but not sure if they would have the strength in that configuration that I want/need.

 

I'm currently thinking of using L channel and connectors from U.S Cargo Control. Kind of pricey but really nice hardware that is light weight and strong.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Have you given any thought as to how much stress the air resistance

on the vertical mounted kayaks will place on the frame work of the rear of the camper?

 

At hwy speed there has to be a lot of air resistance from the kayaks.

Frank

[melcooke]

Frank, thanks. No, I hadn't thought of this and I think I should. With 8' boats like we have there would be approximately 4' of wind exposure which is indeed quite a lot. You may have blown this idea out of the water so to speak.

 

 

Have you given any thought as to how much stress the air resistance

on the vertical mounted kayaks will place on the frame work of the rear of the camper?

 

At hwy speed there has to be a lot of air resistance from the kayaks.

Frank

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Caring your kayaks is a real challenge.

You may have to rethink  about  caring them

on the roof.

 

I carried my 60# canoe a 12' footer on the roof 

didn't have any trouble lifting the top.I also have 40# lifters on my Bobcat.

 

I don't carry it any longer,mainly we just don't go to areas where we will use it.

It can be a PITA when you go through several states and need to have tags

to show you have been inspected for invasive critters,which I feel is a great program,but

I have made to many trips with it and didn't use it.

 

Hope you get your problem solved.

Frank

[melcooke]

Frank, did the 40# lifters come from the factory? Or were they something you added later?

--------------------------------------------------------

 

Caring your kayaks is a real challenge.

You may have to rethink  about  caring them

on the roof.

 

I carried my 60# canoe a 12' footer on the roof 

didn't have any trouble lifting the top.I also have 40# lifters on my Bobcat.

 

I don't carry it any longer,mainly we just don't go to areas where we will use it.

It can be a PITA when you go through several states and need to have tags

to show you have been inspected for invasive critters,which I feel is a great program,but

I have made to many trips with it and didn't use it.

 

Hope you get your problem solved.

Frank

[Vic Harder]

I have 80# lifter shocks that I added.  Makes lifting the roof with 55# of solar panel & maxtracs plus my 39# canoe doable.

[melcooke]

Vic, the plot thickens! This makes me think a bit about the lift struts on my Yakima roof top carrier. I was having trouble keeping the lid open in the winter, sometimes with a snow load but mostly not. So when it came time to replace the gas struts I went with a stronger strut. I consulted the strut manufacturer first and went with less strut than planned but still stronger than the OEM spec.

 

This helped but what I found was the extra strength tended to distort the shape of the box and made closing/latching a bit more difficult. I'm not sure this is a fair comparison given the difference between a plastic roof box and an aluminum framed camper.

 

How did you determine how much strength to add Vic? Did you pass any of this along to the camper builders?

 

We're expecting a call soon from All Terrain as we should be pretty close the build start and I'll be asking these questions.

 

Thanks again, so much to learn.

 

 

I have 80# lifter shocks that I added.  Makes lifting the roof with 55# of solar panel & maxtracs plus my 39# canoe doable.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

 

Frank, did the 40# lifters come from the factory? Or were they something you added later?

--------------------------------------------------------

 

Caring your kayaks is a real challenge.

You may have to rethink  about  caring them

on the roof.

 

I carried my 60# canoe a 12' footer on the roof 

didn't have any trouble lifting the top.I also have 40# lifters on my Bobcat.

 

I don't carry it any longer,mainly we just don't go to areas where we will use it.

It can be a PITA when you go through several states and need to have tags

to show you have been inspected for invasive critters,which I feel is a great program,but

I have made to many trips with it and didn't use it.

 

Hope you get your problem solved.

Frank

 

I put them on myself shortly after I got the camper home in 2009.

Only a few of us had them at that time.

They work great and are easy to install.

ATC/FWC wasn't offering them as an option at the time.

 

I would call Marty and ask him about installing the lifters on your build.

I thought you already had your camper.

 

There is a whole thread about installing "gas lifters".

 

Frank