Mounting Rack on Roof versus Hitting Wires

[kluber]

Hi there,

I'd like to mount a roof rack, but I want to be sure that if I drill into the aluminum frame member, I won't hit any wires.

Question: Does FWC place wires within the actual frame members (or am I safe to drill there)?

I really appreciate everyone's advice - thank you very much!

Karl

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Hi there,

I'd like to mount a roof rack, but I want to be sure that if I drill into the aluminum frame member, I won't hit any wires.

Question: Does FWC place wires within the actual frame members (or am I safe to drill there)?

I really appreciate everyone's advice - thank you very much!

Karl

Karl aks Stan at FWC, or Marty at ATC. They could give you that info.
Frank

 

[kluber]

Thanks Frank!

 

[Vic Harder]

Quick answer, no. The cross through the frame members, but not run inside the frame for long lengths. At least not the two campers I have renovated.

 

[kluber]

Thanks Vic. Stan concurs : )

Karl

 

[Beach]

When I drilled into the roof frame I used a drill bit stop collar so the bit only barely broke through the tubing wall. This prevents the drill bit from over penetrating and possibly catching on and twisting up any wires.

 

[ckent323]

The frame members are easy to find by feel on the roof. In my 2007 the wires are located next to a frame member on drivers side towards the middle of the roof (left side the ceiling fan boxes) not in the frame tube. No wires closer to either side of the camper

 

[kluber]

Thanks all for the extremely useful advice.

Vic, Stan replied that FWC does not run wires within the frame members.

I've begun the process and drilled / mounted the rear set. It's a nice system that allows the rack to come on and off as needed, so it's there for surfboards or kayaks, but gone on for other trips, reducing drag and avoiding catching on low brush, etc.

https://www.rack-it.com/product/yakima-bolt-toploader-brackets-184946-1.htm

It's bolted through (2 1/2 carriage bolts) and I used slightly smaller washers so they don't hang over the sides of the trim inside. A quick bit of tan paint and they're practically invisible.

Thanks again to our awesome FWC community for the help : )

Karl