Roof Rack Floor Options?

[T4 Leaf]

Folks,
Any ideas/success stories for a relatively light flooring for the Prinsu/Front Runner style of rack? ideally synthetic so it doesn't warp and it can withstand some use and storage in the garage?

Purpose would be for humans to occupy it, for sightseeing, or hunting, etc.

Prinsu sells the load panels, that sit under the cross bars (and are pricey)

 

[e60ral]

i'd ask on expedition portal, i've seen people there use composite lumber or FRP poltruded grating for this

you can also go to 8020.net and go to the catalog and look at panel materials and mounts there, they will have extruded metal, solid plates, PVC, HDPE, Kydex, etc... (or at least go for ideas there and then shop online for better deals)

 

[2flyfishin]

I would just get a sheet of expanded metal, cut it to fit, paint it black, and use carriage bolts to bolt it to the rack using the channels. In the end you will end up with a floor like that on the Gobi’s or Baja racks and it wouldn’t be expensive.

 

[T4 Leaf]

Thanks guys.... I've never heard the word Poltruded, or was familiar with 8020...which has a lot of options for paneling. I'm thinking the expanded aluminum has to be super light...and would fasten well.

Let me not forget my other idea for the platform.... surf rod holders, with the T4R backed down near the water, with me and a cooler on top

 

[mrblah]

I entertained the idea of using thin sheets of acrylic or polycarbonate (whatever is available at home depot). I got that idea over at tacoma world. It seems to work fine as a base floor. I haven't gotten around to it (mainly due to laziness).

 

[2flyfishin]

I entertained the idea of using thin sheets of acrylic or polycarbonate (whatever is available at home depot). I got that idea over at tacoma world. It seems to work fine as a base floor. I haven't gotten around to it (mainly due to laziness).

Do you have to drill holes in it to attach stuff to it and attach ratchet straps to tie stuff down? Does that effect the strength?

 

[3wbdriver]

1/4" Lexan (polycarbonate cited above) should work like a champ. Drillable for anchoring, can be cut with a fine tooth saw, and virtually indestructible. It's what they make the windshields for NASCAR out of. The same stuff in a thinner sheet that they vacuum form R/C car bodies from. Just remember NOT PLEXIGLASS. LEXAN

https://www.homedepot.com/p/LEXAN-T...y57826_pcrid_73667292101367_product_205202473

 

[mrblah]

Do you have to drill holes in it to attach stuff to it and attach ratchet straps to tie stuff down? Does that effect the strength?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-prinsu-how-to-thread.412679/#post-11672697

it looks like u can either drill holes in it to attach eyelets, or you can use it as flooring and put eyelets on the cross bars.

FYI, I haven't done it, I just like the idea. I'm a lazy bastard

 

[T4 Leaf]

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-prinsu-how-to-thread.412679/#post-11672697

it looks like u can either drill holes in it to attach eyelets, or you can use it as flooring and put eyelets on the cross bars.

FYI, I haven't done it, I just like the idea. I'm a lazy bastard

Thanks for the link ... that TW dude had it figured out!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[John in NC]

Check out "Poultry Flooring".
Lightweight, cheap, plastic. Buy online or at a farm supply store.
Store in the garage when not in use. Get a few 24" x 48" overlapping style sheets and trim as needed, good to go!

https://www.farmtek.com/farm/suppli...terials-ft_mats_flooring;pgha2215_HA2215.html

https://www.doublel.com/poultrydivision/poultry-flooring/ol-flooring.html

 

[T4 Leaf]

Update to the roof rack floor question... I took the quick/cheap route and had Home Depot cut some OSB board to size and trimmed the edges to drop inside the Prinsu... put the kids on (not all mine) during the 4th celebration. It actually nestled in nicely and didn't require any tie downs for 50 mph or so.

Temp solution for sure, but it turned some heads...as my family was higher than lifted truck bed kids...so score 1 for T4R

 

[STX4Runner]

You mentioned it didn't need any tie downs for 50 MPH. Do you mean you didn't attach it at all? Don't be that guy, secure your load safely and don't kill a motorcyclist or cause a wreck.

 

[T4 Leaf]

You mentioned it didn't need any tie downs for 50 MPH. Do you mean you didn't attach it at all? Don't be that guy, secure your load safely and don't kill a motorcyclist or cause a wreck.

Yes, for a short ride back I did not... but like I said it was very heavy and pinched down inside the rack wind Vane and side rails (it sort of inserted ....as it were)

But fair point...safety first!

 

[STX4Runner]

Yes, for a short ride back I did not... but like I said it was very heavy and pinched down inside the rack wind Vane and side rails (it sort of inserted ....as it were)

But fair point...safety first!

Yeah, definitely add some fasteners! It won't take much wind underneath it to catch the edge and rip it out.