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Topic: The luggage rack... (Read 792 times) previous topic - next topic

The luggage rack...

Does anyone use it regularly?  Use it at all?  I did see a reference to protection for solar panels.

Not an immediate project, but I plan to fill holes on the roof.  Satellite antenna we don't use, TV antenna we don't use.  Screws for wire hold-downs, screws for no-longer there vent covers, CB antenna, and the roof rack...  I counted 111 holes that I could permanently fill and paint, and eliminate potential water leaks.

Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #1 –
In MY opinion (everbody got one), it is of no use.  I will remove ours if we ever have our roof coated at FOT or MOT (a ways down on our To-Do list).  Until then, it remains in place and is ignored.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
In MY opinion, it is of no use.  I will remove ours if we ever have our roof coated at FOT or MOT (its on our To-Do list).  Until then, it stays in place and is ignored.
Thanks!  I have seen stuff tied up there, but not on FTs.  It is usually those ancient gassers with corrugated metal scraps over a window, and a look of being broken in the middle.  I feel daring climbing the ladder with a caulk gun.  I can't imagine climbing up with a steamer trunk!
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #3 –
I have heard of members securing a mounted spare tire up there on the Motorcade Club Alaska trip.

I always have visions of them rolling the tire/wheel off the roof, and watching it bounce down the road for half a mile before it stops in the bar ditch.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I have heard of members securing a mounted spare tire up there on the Motorcade Club Alaska trip.

I always have visions of them rolling the tire/wheel off the roof, and watching it bounce down the road for half a mile before it stops in the bar ditch.
Spouse 1 rolls the mounted tire off the roof to spouse 2 and yells "catch!"
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #5 –
Ya, you have to hire Craneman to come and get the spare tire up in the roof.  I helped friends put solar panels on their roof. They had the luggage rack. It seemed to all of us a significant trip hazard getting on and off the roof.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #6 –
Absolute waste of aluminum IMO.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Dub –
Absolute waste of aluminum IMO.
The aluminum should have been used to make something worthwhile.

BEER CANS!
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #8 –
Redundancy yet again.    Foretravel's have more storage inside than most others AND a roof rack.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #9 –
Quote
Absolute waste of aluminum IMO.

Me? I like the look. Also, when the wind is blowing hard enough and in just the right direction, we get that lovely bassoon sound!
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #10 –
Being a little more adventurous you may find a use for it. Traveling down the Baja for the winter I never could have enough storage space.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #11 –
We left ours at Xtreme last month.
Glad to be rid of the tripping hazard.
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #12 –
When driving deep into Mexico, we always kept an unmounted spare tire up there-- with a Sunbrella cover over it.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #13 –
So last year we went to Buffalo Bill state park in Wyoming. I had a 12' wind surf board on top, along with the mast and sails. The problem is trying to tie something down when the tie down points are almost 8 feet apart. I would like to utilize that space more, I have no clue why other than "because it's there". I plan on removing the aluminum rail and replace with steel and adding one (or maybe two) more rail down the center so I can tie smaller/narrower things down. I also would like to put a small swing up/out arm or davit for hoisting large and not so heavy items on board. Call me crazy, call me foolish just don't call me late for dinner.
Eric, Mary and Carl the jack russel terrorist
1997 U320, #5143, w/450 hp, 6.9 on the richter scale
Sammie the toad
Live Free or Die

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #14 –
Everyone is different..The 280 I had, had a storage bin on top that I suppose the po used.. I haul enough "stuff" that I could use more outside storage but I'm not sure enough of my one arm ladder climbing to carry anything to the top that weighs much or is very large..
Dub McBride 1996 270
 

Re: The luggage rack...

Reply #15 –
I polish mine every time I do the wheels. With the chrome basement latches, polished wheels and mirrors, chrome Hadleys, chrome spotlight and polished roof rack gives the coach just a touch of bling and sparkle. IMHO a lot of he coaches nowdays while they have beautiful paint jobs are a little drab. Hate to think how much I spent in the old days at the chrome shop. 
The Starship- 1990 Grandvilla Unihome U300 40ft
6V92 Detroit Diesel w/ 4 spd Allison w/ retarder. Build# 3575 , Foretravel# 17895
The Shuttlecraft- 2015 Ford Explorer
Steve ( N6EKV ) & Lori ( N6JTD ) Faries  w/ Marlee our precious pup.
Patterson CA.