Best 5th Gen TE Roof Rack?

Rogers Global

Rogers Global

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I'm a photographer in the Pacific Northwest and am planning on taking two months to do some exploring for a Landscape Photography project.

I'd like to outfit my 2011 TE with a heavy duty roof rack I and load with gear, and can double as a flat platform to shoot from. Any suggestions on brands to check out?

I'd also love to add a ladder to the back if it's even a available mod.
 
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The Gobi rack is a favorite and there is a ladder option. However, you may want to research Seattle Mike's threads, as he had a specially made rack for just the purposes you need. It covered the length of the length of his roof and, IIRC, it had a flip up/removable door over the sunroof, so he could climb onto the rack in that manner. I think he had a ladder as well.
 
If I don't have the $$$'s to do a custom build are there any other good options?

I don't think it'd be appropriate to contact Seattle Mike's wife to see if she wants to keep it,

I'll put a call in Monday to see what the build would cost. Any ideas on a ballpark figure?
 
I've got a Baja flat utility rack and it sounds a lot like what you're looking for. I mount a tent on mine so it'll be sturdy enough for you to use as a shooting platform. You may want to look into the mesh style that they offer (I think Harper7 has that one if you try searching his posts) rather than the barred one I have. They also have a cutout for the sunroof and sell an insert if you want use of the full surface.

Here's a shot my friend took of me adjusting my gerry cans on it a couple weeks ago.


20120210-IMG_0726.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr
 
Intruder said:
I've got a Baja flat utility rack and it sounds a lot like what you're looking for. I mount a tent on mine so it'll be sturdy enough for you to use as a shooting platform. You may want to look into the mesh style that they offer (I think Harper7 has that one if you try searching his posts) rather than the barred one I have. They also have a cutout for the sunroof and sell an insert if you want use of the full surface.

Here's a shot my friend took of me adjusting my gerry cans on it a couple weeks ago.


20120210-IMG_0726.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr
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Meh, it's an alright rack, Intruder, aka burningchrome, aka... ;)

Get the baja , sounds exactly what you're looking for. Has the removeable sunroof cover too...Don't recall if you can by a ladder from baja..just buy one from gobi or have it fabbed up.
 
Do the group buys really save us money? Wondering if there will be any this year for the Gobi or any of the other racks...
 
Well I may have the rack worked out... But it's raised another issue. While shooting I need the platform completely stable... I'm bouncing around the idea of trying to have a mobile lift fabricated because I can't find anything so far that would work. Basically I'd need to lift the entire TE even just barely to keep it from vibrating or shifting position even a little during long exposures.

I've starting looking into RV Stabilizers but haven't found anything so far.... Any ideas?
 
Rogers Global said:
Well I may have the rack worked out... But it's raised another issue. While shooting I need the platform completely stable... I'm bouncing around the idea of trying to have a mobile lift fabricated because I can't find anything so far that would work. Basically I'd need to lift the entire TE even just barely to keep it from vibrating or shifting position even a little during long exposures.

I've starting looking into RV Stabilizers but haven't found anything so far.... Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Hi-lift and 4 jack-stands... but why not simply get a good tripod and shoot of the ground? Seems like a lot of hassle just to raise the point of view 6ft. Are you planning on climbing on the truck, moving about inside it when you are doing your long exposure shots? I don't think that stabilizers etc will fully eliminate any body movement. plus you wouldn't want to be climbing all over it when on jack stands anyway from a safety standpoint...

Okki
 
Okki said:
Hi-lift and 4 jack-stands... but why not simply get a good tripod and shoot of the ground? Seems like a lot of hassle just to raise the point of view 6ft. Are you planning on climbing on the truck, moving about inside it when you are doing your long exposure shots? I don't think that stabilizers etc will fully eliminate any body movement. plus you wouldn't want to be climbing all over it when on jack stands anyway from a safety standpoint...

Okki
Click to expand...

I have a six-foot steady tripod. The idea would just to get an extra six feet out of it. And I wouldn't move inside or out the vehicle during the shot. I may sit very still on top but that'd be about it.

I just took a trip through Yosemite, Sequoia, the Alabama Hills, and Death Valley. Now I'm thinking less about a rack to shoot from and more about something like a adventure trailer, maybe a rooftop tent. I think I can get what I'm looking for with just some extra hiking.

Trying to figure out though what the rooftop tent weight capacity is, combined all the other logistics is probably the topic for another thread though.
 
I shoot on my gobi sometimes. I use a Manfrotto 055MF3 Carbon fiber Tripod with a little bag of sand on the bottom. Set it up ontop, climb down and use a wireless remote shutter to do long exposures. The mesh bottom on the gobi is great.
 
I agree with [MENTION=50186]adio3x[/MENTION]. The mesh flooring on the Gobi is great for standing up on the rack. I've had as many as 4 grown men on the rack all at the same time and have no issues with flex.
 
Rogers Global said:
Titian, I decided to commission the same company to do a custom build for me. I'll post some pics when they finish. They're doing a roof rack, custom branded from spoiler, ladder, and gas can storage.

Looking forward to what Perkins Performance turns out! They've never done a ladder before.
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Good for you!!

They seem to make a lot of nice stuff...my bet this will be no different.

Looking forward to seeing the finish product, and some of the kickass pictures from the top of the truck..:hatsoff:
 
...how are the racks installed? Do they just screw in to the existing holes for the stock rack?

Also, is water leakage a problem afterwards? Or something I need to watch out for?
 
LandCruiser said:
...how are the racks installed? Do they just screw in to the existing holes for the stock rack?

Also, is water leakage a problem afterwards? Or something I need to watch out for?
Click to expand...

They'll be doing the installation for me and it'll replace the stock roof rack altogether.
 
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