Leaderboard

0I wanted a roof rack to carry the occasional 2x4 or plywood, etc. but didn't want to spend the money required by the after market suppliers. While in my local big box hardware store I came across the aisle that contained the electrical conduit supplies. They had an item they called "UniStrut" it's made out of mild steel and looks like a "u" with rolled over lips at the top of the u. They had another item called "top grip nut" that slides in the unistrut channel then turns 90 degrees to lock into the channel. The wheels began turning in my mind. The unistrut fits into the channel in the roof of my 2015 lwb cargo van and is bolted to the roof by 3/8" bolts through the existing plastic plugs in the roof. The "top grip nuts" allow me to fasten a plate to the unistrut that allows me to add cross bars which can be adjusted depending on what I'm hauling I purchased 2, 10 foot unistuts and cut them at 6 foot for the roof rail leaving me 2, 4 foot lengths for the cross pieces 2 bags of top grip nuts (5 nuts per bag). 4-4 hole steel blocks The cost of all this was $50.00 I then purchased 1/2 inch nuts, bolts, and washers for a total of about $30.00 Time to put this all together about 5 hours I plan on buying one more piece of United and cutting it in half along with more bits and pieces to make 2, 5 foot cross bars The pictures should show you how it all went together. When I'm not carrying anything, it all comes off except for the unistrut that acts as the roof rails

The low load limits are only derived from safe center of gravity. This is to prevent the car from tipping over when overloaded and top-heavy. You can safely install a pop-up tent on sleep on the roof rack together with your companion.

This is what Page 134 of my owner's manual say's. I think the rating has more to do with Vehicle stability then any other factor. Maximum Load Weights Do not exceed the following maximum roof rack load weights. Maximum Load lb (kg)* Variant Wagon - short 132 lb (60 kg) wheel base with panoramic roof panel Wagon - short 165 lb (75 kg) wheel base with metal roof panel Wagon - long 165 lb (75 kg) wheel base Van 165 lb (75 kg) *Evenly distribute the load on the roof rack.