Tracklander roof rack, Any experience/thoughts?

[Fozexplore]

I have been looking into getting a roof rack and I have discovered that the Pioneer Platforms by Rhino Rack wont be able to go on and that a mesh platform is practically my only option from that company. That being said I started looking into other companies that make platforms that can fit foresters and came across a South African company (?) called Tracklander. I contacted them and they said that they do make ones that would fit...

My question now though is do I go with this platform which will cost me, including shipping, around$1500 Australian....For the same price I could get on of the Yakima baskets, with some accessories. Has anyone had any experience with either of these products? or would recommend either or? I'll mostly be carrying a spar tyre, recovery tracks (eventually) and for long camping trips I carry an OzTent RV-3.

Any advice is much appreciated

 

[Kevin]

I have combinations of Rhino and Thule; mainly Thule on the Foz and Rhino on the Triton. I reckon you can't go past Thule square steel bars (very strong; stronger than Rhino) and a Rhino mesh platform.

I've got both the Rhino mesh platform and mesh basket. The platform is better all round, easier to load / unload and no limitations caused by basket walls.

 

[Fozexplore]

You wouldn't happen, or anyone else here, to have photos of that set up? I am really trying to get an idea of how it looks

 

[Kevin]

Here's one with a basket

 

[Fozexplore]

Am curious to know what it feels like when driving with the weight of the basket and gear in it? Also interested in how some of the extras have been attached as the rhino rack website doesn’t specifically state any like shovel mounts and the like

 

[Kevin]

It's all there e.g. Rhino-Rack

For me, driving with the load on the roof doesn't feel much different at all either with the Thule roof box or the roof-top camper. The camper weighs 60-70 Kg.

 

[duncanm]

The only downside of the mesh basket, IMHO, is windage when you're not using it, and its ugly. So it comes off when not in use.

Other than that, its only up-sides, I reckon. Not having stuff at risk of rolling off is the biggest.

 

[ABFoz]

Tracklander products are properly trail rated. They are also open to feed back and suggestions regarding their designs. If you can get a good price including shipping, why not?

That being said, I would probably go with Rhino mesh systems, much like the one on the Triton of @Kevin. I am after the flexibility of the mesh as I can fabricate attachments to it myself. Cheers.

 

[Kevin]

Like this - my long-haul setup! Notice how the tyre just overlaps the edge a little; that's the advantage of a flat platform.

 

[scalman]

Would be nice to have like flat base platform and then option to put sides when needed.
@Kevin what kind of straps you using to hold everything there in place? How you secure there small objects ?

 

[Fozexplore]

I have had the same thought @scalman, one idea that I came up with was to make railings and attach them using with a round pipe clamp and bolt them on when you would need them and take them off when you don't. Kinda like how the Rhino Rack Pioneer platform side rails attach

 

[Kevin]

what kind of straps

Nothing is single strapped and I generally use "Just Straps" brand so there is 1 x 250kg ratchet strap and 1 x 100 kg pull-down strap on the orange box.
A 3 legged ratchet strap for the spare wheel plus underneath the wheel there is a large velco strap wrapped around one of the wheel spokes which then hooks onto the roof tray with a carabiner hook, also 250 kg I think.

How you secure there small objects

There are no separate small objects

 

[Kevin]

Here's another version with my washing barrel and TV antenna base. The black antenna is for cell phone.

 

[duncanm]

Those pictures make a good point -- have a think about what you're tossing on your roof rack.

Tyres and other bulky items really suck on a basket - getting them over the lip, and they waste space. Flat platform better.

Smaller items are better in a basket as they're more secure. Basket better

 

[scalman]

But if you put some huge plastic boxes there on flat ,you can put smaller items in them . Thats why i made mine flat with sides on bolts removable. Good for all.
There could be like half with sides and then half flat best of both worlds. Yes depends what you carry.

 

[idw]

Flat racks are a little more versatile day to day I recon, strap down ladders lengths of timbre and steel, mattress etc. My new customer rack has a rail around it, good for securing firewood smaller tool boxes and my kayak when in the hilly stuff.

What ever you get for the subaru, make sure its really light weight, load rating is around 100kg dynamic load for the roof a steel basket (without the bars) can be around 20-30kg on its own, by the time you chuck a decent tent, 20lt fuel, and a couple tools you're pretty close to 70- 80kgs. not really a problem on the road unless the wind picks up ( I remember one time going from omeo- lakes entrance through the valley along the river was stetchy as all hell in the wind with a load of poop on the room). Less weight up top, lower your centre of gravity, I still think the titan style roof baskets are way over priced (then again what 4wd accessory isnt) but if the price means its strong and light weight even if its $1000 or more, only takes avoiding 1 rollover to save that cash.