Overloaded roofs?!

Hi,

I'm looking at a roof tent for upcoming travells but my disco 2 supposedly has a roof weight capacity of 50kgs. A tent weighs 50 to 60kg and then roof bars Are another 15kg on top. But I've seen loads of discos with roof tents so are owners just 'risking it' or is there a way round the limit? Surely overloading the roof could invalidate insurance?!

Thanks

Toby

From what I understand the roof rack and bars sit in the channel and between them spread the weight across down and through the sides.

donk56 said:

From what I understand the roof rack and bars sit in the channel and between them spread the weight across down and through the sides.

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Understood however surely the 50kg weight limit still applies? Or not?

Thanks

Correct me im wrong (it has been known ) but dont roof tents go on the rear of the roof on a roof rack that fits to the gutter? not to the roof bars that are bolted to the roof itself.

I thought the limit was circa 100 kgs.

oldskool said:

Correct me im wrong (it has been known ) but dont roof tents go on the rear of the roof on a roof rack that fits to the gutter? not to the roof bars that are bolted to the roof itself.

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Hi, yes that is my understanding also. I was planning to use two roof bars which span the roof and connect to the gutters. However I assumed the roof limit was for anything at roof level and related to the difference the weight at roof level made to handling?

toby_2009 said:

Hi, yes that is my understanding also. I was planning to use two roof bars which span the roof and connect to the gutters. However I assumed the roof limit was for anything at roof level and related to the difference the weight at roof level made to handling?

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What does the hand book say? A quick Google gives results of 50 to 150 kgs. Which is helpful. 75kgs seems the most popular in my very quick scout around.

In the hand book it states

ROOF RACKS
The roof rack system comprises two side rails
permanently fixed to the roof of the vehicle and
cross bars available as an accessory from a
Land Rover dealer.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Always observe the following precautions:
•
The
MAXIMUM
load for approved roof
rack systems is 110 lb (50 kg) for
normal road use and 66 lb (30 kg)
off-road.
•
A loaded roof rack can reduce the
stability of the vehicle, particularly
when cornering and encountering cross
winds.
•
All loads should be evenly distributed,
and secured within the periphery of the
roof rack system.
•
Only fit roof racks that have been
designed for your vehicle. If in doubt,
consult your dealer.
•
Driving off-road with a loaded roof rack
is not recommended. If it is necessary
to stow luggage on the roof rack while
driving off-road, all loads must be
removed before traversing side slopes.

So the stated load is for the factory roof rack, it isn't clear what the max load is for the car though I would assume that the factory roof racks are designed to carry the max load.

It will be a fook site heavier when there's a couple of bodies init anorl :lvlove-160:

It int about the weight though is it. It's about the fact that they're so fecking unstable that the slightest bit of extra weight is likely to have em on their sides.

Carrying the load int the problem. It's keeping it on it's wheels..

But then who goes offroading with a rooftent on??

owl said:

In the hand book it states

ROOF RACKS
The roof rack system comprises two side rails
permanently fixed to the roof of the vehicle and
cross bars available as an accessory from a
Land Rover dealer.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Always observe the following precautions:
•
The
MAXIMUM
load for approved roof
rack systems is 110 lb (50 kg) for
normal road use and 66 lb (30 kg)
off-road.
•
A loaded roof rack can reduce the
stability of the vehicle, particularly
when cornering and encountering cross
winds.
•
All loads should be evenly distributed,
and secured within the periphery of the
roof rack system.
•
Only fit roof racks that have been
designed for your vehicle. If in doubt,
consult your dealer.
•
Driving off-road with a loaded roof rack
is not recommended. If it is necessary
to stow luggage on the roof rack while
driving off-road, all loads must be
removed before traversing side slopes.

So the stated load is for the factory roof rack, it isn't clear what the max load is for the car though I would assume that the factory roof racks are designed to carry the max load.

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Just checked my handbook too and it contains words to the same effect. So basically anyone with anything heavier than perhaps 2 bikes on theirs disco is risking invalidating their insurance!

Can't undersatand why Land rover thought that was a reasonable maximum load for a vehicle like that!

oldskool said:

It will be a fook site heavier when there's a couple of bodies init anorl :lvlove-160:

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I was thinking the same! Fill your tyres with water and you should be ok!
Seriously though, as long as you're not planning on thrashing it around Silverstone you will be ok.

Wider wheelbase (offset wheels) in addition to stiffer springs will help. My roof rack used to sway the landy a bit when I had the bikes and camping gear up there, better now with stiffer springs

Once had 10 sheets of 19mm WBP plywood on the roof bars on the 110. Each sheet weighs about 25Kg so that'd be 250KG or 1/4 of a tonne.

Err. Why not just pitch a tent on the ground like the rest of the outdoor fraternity ��

John S said:

Err. Why not just pitch a tent on the ground like the rest of the outdoor fraternity ��

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The risk of flocks of marauding sheep :bolt:

John S said:

Err. Why not just pitch a tent on the ground like the rest of the outdoor fraternity ��

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Cos some CNUT will ziptie ya zips together when your ****sed and you won't be able to get out to go to the loo.

for f###s##e i,m staying outa this one after what i,ve had up on the rangies roof rack:lalala:

Ditch the tent idea and just put the house on the roof....

blue beasty said:

Ditch the tent idea and just put the house on the roof....

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i,ve gone better thats why i,m staying outa this one