Carry Lumber on Roof Rack?

Reef · Oct 19, 2009

Anyone out there carry lumber on a roof rack? If so, what kind of rack and how do you secure it?

I traded in a pickup truck on the Patriot to get the cash for clunkers money. My Dakota pickup was dying anyway, so it was a good deal. But I desperately miss my pickup. I can't just run to Homey Depot and toss a couple 2x10x12' in the back any more.

I did search the previous posts, but they mostly talk about carrying lumber inside the Patriot. I don't like the idea of 12' lumber hanging out of the open hatch:doh:

Thanks all!

UA_who · Oct 19, 2009

I've used the stock rack for lumber several times. I had 4 sheets of plywood, and about a half dozen 2x4x10's on there at once. It handled them just fine.

Reef · Oct 19, 2009

UA_who said:
I've used the stock rack for lumber several times. I had 4 sheets of plywood, and about a half dozen 2x4x10's on there at once. It handled them just fine.

UA, you mean the Mopar cross rail rack, not just the two side rails? How did you secure all that stuff?? Thank you!

joesjeeps · Oct 19, 2009

When I got rid of my Comanche pickup. I replaced it with one of those folding trailers from Harbor Freight. Low cost and easy to store. Still miss the truck sometimes, but the trailer has served me (and friends

) very well. $.02.

UA_who · Oct 19, 2009

Reef said:
UA, you mean the Mopar cross rail rack, not just the two side rails? How did you secure all that stuff?? Thank you!

Yes. The stock cross rails too. (mine came with em on)

I used small straps with buckles you can pull tight on. Wrapped them around the rails and cross rails. I only had 3 miles to drive with them on there, but hit 50mph and had no problems.

Gaze · Oct 19, 2009

I have the sport utility bars and a canoe rack. I've been replacing the doors in my house lately and I throw them right on the roof rack and adjust the canoe rack to hold them in place. Works like a charm.

Reef · Oct 19, 2009

Thanks for the response everyone! That really makes me feel better about getting the utility rack and using it for lumber.

JoesJeeps, I thought about getting a mini-trailer, but I wouldn't be able to make my spur-of-the-moment Homey Depot runs after work. And, I have to cross a toll bridge on the way home that charges $$ extra for trailers.

hunter44102 · Oct 19, 2009

I throw lumber on the rack and just use bungee cords, Lowes is not too far from me.

Reef · Oct 19, 2009

OK, new problem, anybody know the difference between the "Sport Utility Bars" and the "Roof Rack Cross Rails" besides the price?

http://www.justforjeeps.com/sputba3.html
http://www.justforjeeps.com/roracrra1.html

UA_who · Oct 19, 2009

Reef said:
OK, new problem, anybody know the difference between the "Sport Utility Bars" and the "Roof Rack Cross Rails" besides the price?

http://www.justforjeeps.com/sputba3.html
http://www.justforjeeps.com/roracrra1.html

The cross rails look like what I have. They are not as "utility" oriented as the other. Mine are scratched up a bit from using em. They probably are not as strong either, but they are strong enough for me.

jepstr67 · Oct 20, 2009

I haul 2x4's, 6s,8s, Pipes, conduit, and so on, on the stock factory rack all of the time. I don't put sheets of stuff up there. I take a trailer for that. I don't like trying to secure sheets, because they are wider than the rack. Just a personal choice.

rocal · Oct 20, 2009

For goodness sake, Reef, why do you think that you don't throw away old underpants? It's so that you can tie them to the bits of twelve foot timber stickin' out the back of your vehicle.
Consider the alternative. When the feller behind you gets the piece of roof timber through his windscreen and his wife's ear, how the hell is your lawyer going to argue that he was unfit to drive through defective eyesight if you haven't got a pair of old underpants a-flappin' on the end of the roof-joist?
Roof racks, Jayz, I don't know, some guys don't know what to spend their money on next....

Rocal

Terasec · Oct 20, 2009

thinking of similar trailer

joesjeeps said:
When I got rid of my Comanche pickup. I replaced it with one of those folding trailers from Harbor Freight. Low cost and easy to store. Still miss the truck sometimes, but the trailer has served me (and friends ) very well. $.02.

Northern tool has similar,
was thinking of the 4x8 for $325.
anyone check prices of completed trailers would see $200-$300 for trailer kit is a bargain.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42708

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_166839+274279

joesjeeps · Oct 20, 2009

Just got a sale flyer from HF this morning. The 4'x8' 950lbs. capacity with 8" wheels is on sale for $249.00. The 4'x8' 1195 lbs capacity with 12" wheels is $279.00. You supply your own decking. You'll need a hitch and light harness too, which will start at about $175.00 for aftermarket parts with self installation and will go up from there. Personally, I bought the 1/2 ton+ 4x8 size. You'll never regret the extra capacity and the 12" wheels will be less stressful on the bearings and hubs at higher speeds. And yes, they charge you for that extra axle at the toll booth.

Edit: I guess shipping is no longer free at HF. I haven't ordered online in a while since they have 2 stores in the area.

Reef · Oct 21, 2009

Thanks everyone, especially for the roof rack info. I think that is the way I'm going to go for now, until I can get a pickup anyway.

The trailer idea is good, but like I said, there is a toll bridge between me and Homer Depot that charges a lot extra for trailers!

Rocal, how did you know that I wore bright red scivvies?

jepstr67 · Oct 21, 2009

Or try this to haul 8' long things.
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6156&highlight=storage+trick

If it will fit, it is faster and easier than tying stuff on top.

Terasec · Nov 3, 2009

was ready to order

joesjeeps said:
You'll never regret the extra capacity and the 12" wheels will be less stressful on the bearings and hubs at higher speeds. And yes, they charge you for that extra axle at the toll booth.

Edit: I guess shipping is no longer free at HF. I haven't ordered online in a while since they have 2 stores in the area.

shipping was $86 for the trailer,
which isnt bad for something that weighs 200 lbs,
but makes a $300 basically a $400 trailer,
might be looking to pick it up at one of their stores,
but then i will need a trailer to pick it up

as for additional tolls, how does that work with EZ pass?

joesjeeps · Nov 3, 2009

I'm guessing the extra axle(s) is scanned somehow. You can be very sure NYS has this figured out so they don't miss a penny of revenue.

I think mine shipped in 2 or 3 boxes. It might fit in your Patriot as it's knocked-down and the longest piece would be about 4', but keep the weight in mind, 200 pounds, maybe more. I also had to replace the casters on mine. The ones they supplied were almost all plastic and better suited for a microwave cart. I had some much sturdier ones lying around I used instead. Hopefully they've been upgraded.

Reef · Nov 3, 2009

Terasec said:
as for additional tolls, how does that work with EZ pass?

I don't know about EZ pass, the bridge where I live has window stickers for the local residents, like a bar code looking sticker. But there are live toll-takers in the booths and it costs an extra $15 each time if you have a trailer. I towed my jet ski over there once and found out the hard way. If you try to "run the gate" there are bridge cops parked on the other side and you won't get far! :lockd:up

joesjeeps · Nov 3, 2009

I don't know the actual rate for that extra axle, but it seems to add like $.10 or $.15 to a $.50 toll.

Carry Lumber on Roof Rack?

Reef

UA_who

Reef

joesjeeps

UA_who

Gaze

Reef

hunter44102

Reef

UA_who

jepstr67

rocal

Terasec

joesjeeps

Reef

jepstr67

Terasec

joesjeeps

Reef

joesjeeps

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