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Topic: Roof Storage (Read 509 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Re: Outside temperture
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Roof Storage
   We are heading out of the Great Northwest in a few days toward warmer climates.   We are bringing an inflatable Stand up Paddel-board and inflateable kayak in our 98 MB.  Normally we bring them deflated in the overcab bed space, but this time our son will be traveling with us for many days also joined by our other son for a few days, a Full House!   Both sons are 6'-2" and 6'-5" so they have a lot of legroom all over the place.  In the past we just move the inflatables around come bed time but I am looking for a better solution and the storage compartments have been assigned.   In the past on our old RV a 21' long itaska, we hung stuff off the back and light weight items on the roof.  However I made a promise that when we got our MB we would not hang anything outside except bikes or a scooter.   I think if I could found a case that was 12" to 14" deep and roughly 3' x 3' feet in dimension we could live with that and put it on the roof, the inflatables weigh about 65lbs total.  So where did the all the roof cargo boxes go?  I don't see those semi square boxes anymore, it is all coffin style now and long and black or dark in color.  I could build something made of wood but it would not be as light as the old Coleman carriers made of plastic.  We will be driving down the i5 corrider and keep an eye out for some RV shop that might have something but I doubt we will find it.
                                                                      Any suggestions or ideas are welcome

      Karen~Liam
         98 ~ MB








1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Karen & Liam  - 

  "...We are bringing an inflatable Stand up Paddel-board and inflateable...
...In the past on our old RV a 21' long itaska, we hung stuff off the back and light weight items on the roof...
...I think if I could found a case that was 12" to 14" deep and roughly 3' x 3' feet in dimension we could live with that and put it on the roof, the inflatables weigh about 65lbs total...
                                                                  ...Any suggestions or ideas are welcome..."
        98 ~ MB

Are you towing anything? If not, why not use a flat bike rack or trailer hitch mounted cargo carrier.

I think Ol' Ed at the Mothership would warn sternly about placing cargo carriers on the roof.

Check Amazon or eBay for a decent rack. Probably your best bet.

I told my DW before we got our RB that if it wasn't storable it was going out the window. So far, so good. 😼

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #2 –
Kent, we will have two bikes on the bike rack on the rear hitch.  We do have a receiver hitch on front but Karen does not like to see bikes in front so they are on back for now.  Good idea though...

              Thanks

                        ~Liam
                       98 ~ MB
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #3 –
Astute viewers will note the absence of the railing around the rear of the roof at the top of the ladder on the most recent models!
I was told that storage of cargo on the roof was no longer recommended.
Dealers choice...   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Karen & Liam  - 
Kent, we will have two bikes on the bike rack on the rear hitch.  We do have a receiver hitch on front but Karen does not like to see bikes in front so they are on back for now.  Good idea though...

              Thanks

                        ~Liam
                       98 ~ MB

So put the cargo carrier on the front hitch?
Some carry their spare tire up there and it doesn't seem to create any big problems by blocking engine air flow.


Ed
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #5 –
Thanks Ed and Steve maybe that is why you don't see roof cargo carriers advertised for RV because they are no longer recommended.  I wonder what changed?  I am still shy about putting some kind of cargo carrier in the front receiver because of possible airflow issues.  I know people have spare tires up there and that's where mine would be if I did not have a 98 and it fits in the spare tire spot in back.  I think the spare tire would disturb the airflow less then a storage carrier unless it was more forward and had assist air scopes on it.  Everything seems to be a trade-off!

    ~Liam
   98 ~ MB



1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #6 –
200+# people walk on the roof all the time. It's hard to see how a 65# load spread out over several square feet would do any harm.
Ed
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #7 –
Ed,

It's hard to say how a cargo carrier would impact the roof other than perhaps the unsupported weight where there may not be any under-roof load bearing structures.

Then there would be the necessity to bolt the "box" down (and to what?). But then again, how 'bout all those multiple solar arrays up top side that other LD owners have?

I too would like to carry a kayak or two, but at this point I will probably just end up leaving something behind (my 40 year old 10 speed? Don't know if I could bear that).

I have seen kyakes on top of LD's before so I suppose it really comes down to doin' what you feel is necessary.

Go figure, right?

Kent

2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #8 –
"how 'bout all those multiple solar arrays up top side that other LD owners have?"

With solar panels, the weight is pretty well distributed: a typical 100 watt panel weighs seventeen pounds, so each mounting foot carries less than five pounds of static load. (I have no way to calculate dynamic loads, but I'm guessing they're not too large.)
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #9 –
I don't think the reasonable weight of the box is an issue.  I think the weight of the box sandwiching the aluminum against the frame and bouncing on the aluminum is the issue.  Additionally there would be other forces that act on the box, that come from stoping and cornering that put unnatural loads on the frame members under the box.  Larry has a photos of roof mounted kayak rack that mounts to more solid frame members. The Lazy Daze Companion: Roof Racks
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #10 –
Thank you gentlemen,

All these points harken to the super structure and integrity of the LD roof. As we know, the LD roof floats and gives a bit as the aluminum heats and cools during the day and changing seasons. This is another reason to avoid bolting something down to the roof.

As I understand it, many solar panel installs simply glue the panels legs to the roof with minimal penetration of the roof (to hold down the windward leading edge).

Larry's kayak rigging is amazing and a work of mechanical genius. The wench is stellar and harkens back to riverboats and cotton bales.

One thing I did notice were the solar arrays on the front of Larrys roof. Am I correct that they rest above Lake Newton? Personally I use this vantage point to clean the front cowling as I carefully lean over the ledge with towels in hand (something that I do with great trepidation). I suppose this is where some scaffolding would come in handy.

Great input from a world class group of LD enthusiasts.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Kent Heckethorn  - 
One thing I did notice were the solar arrays on the front of Larrys roof. Am I correct that they rest above Lake Newton? Personally I use this vantage point to clean the front cowling as I carefully lean over the ledge with towels in hand (something that I do with great trepidation). I suppose this is where some scaffolding would come in hand
Twenty years ago, when wanting to build a rack that would carry two 17' sea kayaks on the roof, I asked LD's Ed on how it should be done.
He drew a diagram on how the roof was assemble and how to attach the side plates that would support the crossbars.
He insisted that NO significant weight should be carried on the roof, instead the weight should be transferred to and carried by the side walls. The side plates are attached to the walls, using the existing screw holes in the curved roof molding, with stainless steel sheet metal screws and a thin layer of 3M 5200 FastCure.
The bars sit about a half inch off the roof. The rack can easily carry over 300 lbs.
After twenty years of use, I would consider this a time proven system.
1983 Kayak rack | Flickr
2003 Kayak rack | Flickr

For cleaning the nose of the cabover, I lay on top of the solar panels, spreading my weight over a wide area,  reaching down to clean and wax. This has been done for almost 14 years with issues. The front panels are well supported in a frames work of heavy aluminum angle, in an attempt to protect them from tree branches.
BTW, Lake Newton exist more toward the middle of the roof, surrounding the roof A/C
Solar panel addition | Flickr
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 

"...BTW, Lake Newton exist more toward the middle of the roof, surrounding the roof A/C..."


Larry,

That is an impressive amount of work and dedication to detail for your kayak system.

I'm curious, though, if Lake Newton has shifted over time. In the past year, during several rain showers and dewy nights, I have had no accumulated water around the AC. Rather, the water collects at the left front corner of the roof.

My driveway is level (as much as possible and noted by bubble levels and carpenter levels). So with that, I am curious if the accumulation of Lake Newton is more of a phenomenon or a specific location and has it truly shifted from one place to another over the years.

Curiouser and curiouser...

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #13 –
Hi Kent. The proverbial Lake Newton is caused by the weight of the air conditioner sitting in a depression in the roof of its own making. Someday I plan on adding a small pantry into the wall of the bathroom. I also want to replace the A/C gasket soon. So I was going to put a drip pan (like you see in some house water heater installations), and run a drain line to the ground through the wall. I really think your slab should have some direction of drainage, but your motorhome could be listing to the front left. My driveway is slanted so water always runs off quickly. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #14 –
Ron,

I'll have to get out on the slab to check again. That being said when at the homestead and checking levelness inside the coach it is as level as I'd ever want it.

The only sign of pooling has always been the front left corner. Evidenced by a collection of dirt if left to dry on its own.
Even when up top side in the rain, I have not noticed water collecting around the AC.

Hmmm...

I'll check it out tonight when I get home from work.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Roof Storage
Reply #15 –
We had a very similar situation. Ours was a 17' kaboat  that weighs in at 70#. I considered adding a platform to the rear like rack. Then we scrapped that for our lightweight canoe.

Mounted it on the roof per the Larry Method. That's one benefit of owning an old rig- modifications don't make us cringe. Anyway, all is well, it works great.

I considered putting the inflatable up there, but how do you secure it when inflated? Couldn't figure that out, and would not get all that weight up on the racks. A SUP,  definitely under consideration !
Paul
'92 Mid Bath