Just Arrived in G-Wagen need some help with Thule or Yakima High towers

[stevegsmith]

If you decide to go with the Quik-N-Easy's and want to do the under-bar style mounting like the one pictured above, here's a little more info that may help. I did this to get my Columbus as close to the top of the G as possible. Using Thule's or Yakimas, the rack ends up way to high in my opinion. You can make a pretty sweet simple platform with the quik-n-easy's. Baja Racks are very nice as well. Pretty sure FERNWEH is distributing them through g-wagenaccessories.com.

Note regarding the pdf: The note in the pdf regarding U-bolts refers to the hardware for the Columbus attachment to the crossbars only.

[zimm]

If you decide to go with the Quik-N-Easy's and want to do the under-bar style mounting like the one pictured above, here's a little more info that may help. I did this to get my Columbus as close to the top of the G as possible. Using Thule's or Yakimas, the rack ends up way to high in my opinion. You can make a pretty sweet simple platform with the quik-n-easy's. Baja Racks are very nice as well. Pretty sure FERNWEH is distributing them through g-wagenaccessories.com.

Note regarding the pdf: The note in the pdf regarding U-bolts refers to the hardware for the Columbus attachment to the crossbars only.

how is flex and wind? 3/4" isnt much of load bearing cross section. the tents loads will be at the legs, so i doubt youd notice then, but the same weight applied directly to a center point may matter.

i used the stock SS tubes. too much flex when i loaded some sections of 4" ridged conduit on them. unistrut would have been stronger, but i was thinking wind and aesthetics.

[stevegsmith]

how is flex and wind? 3/4" isnt much of load bearing cross section. the tents loads will be at the legs, so i doubt youd notice then, but the same weight applied directly to a center point may matter.

i used the stock SS tubes. too much flex when i loaded some sections of 4" ridged conduit on them. unistrut would have been stronger, but i was thinking wind and aesthetics.

Zimm, who are Flex and Wind? Oh...I get it, sorry.
The use of the aluminum was specifically designed as a permanent attachment/rack for the columbus (they stay attached to the columbus). I never use them for anything else. I think they would still work though if you had a semisolid platform permanently attached to the crossbars. Idea is to spread the load and avoid point loads like you're talking.
For heavier loads, I have another set but with steel 1"x2" crossbars like Desertstar's pictured here. Notice how the quik-n-easy's are "inserted" into the end of the crossbar. Puts the rack a little higher but not by much. mikes_quikneasy.jpg

[thairish]

Rhino Rack with alloy platform
IMG_0073.JPG

[DUTCH]

The attached photo is a Maggiolina roof tent mounted on Rhin-Rack roof bars.

As stated above, Rhino-Rack recommends their bars for off-road use. Thule and Yakima very specifically do not.

[JumpJ]

I went with the Rhino rack and Quick N Easy combo Will post some pictures of it this weekend. Really helpful input. Thanks

[mk216v]

I went with the Rhino rack and Quick N Easy combo Will post some pictures of it this weekend. Really helpful input. Thanks

Will, did you happen to buy Bryan's dark blue G500?

Pics please!

PS--both my old G, my new G, Tony C's red SWB G, all have the damn twin-divots in the roof from the use of a Yakima or Thule rack. Doh!

[JumpJ]

Not sure who Bryan is mate. Ted B? Mine is a Black 2001 G500. I actually bought from a Mercedes Dealer in ABQ. Have to say I love this thing when I can get my wife out of it. Been a Land Rover lover my whole life and still do but wanted a change.
Pics hopefully tomorrow night.

[DUTCH]

I went with the Rhino rack and Quick N Easy combo Will post some pictures of it this weekend. Really helpful input. Thanks

I would be curious as to how you mated the Rhino-Rack ?bars? with the Q&E feet. In my opinion, you gave up some goodness and stability of the wider R-R feet.

[mk216v]

Not sure who Bryan is mate. Ted B? Mine is a Black 2001 G500. I actually bought from a Mercedes Dealer in ABQ. Have to say I love this thing when I can get my wife out of it. Been a Land Rover lover my whole life and still do but wanted a change.
Pics hopefully tomorrow night.

A guy named Bryan(MEUSOC on these boards) had a dark blue late Europa G500, '01 IIRC. He was in the Santa Fe area. I thought you may have bought his.

Glad to hear you love it so much! Looking forward to pics...