Roof Rack for SUV

The Garage Vehicle Setups
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I know next to nothing about ladder racks. I just switched over to a 2007 rav4 with stock side rails. I would like to use these if at all possible instead of drilling into the roof. I am looking to get a 20’ or 24’ extension just for my bigger jobs.

I have already found some aftermarket crossbars. What weight capacity should I be looking for? Any other details I should look out for like resistance to whistling or specific tie downs?

[I searched tirelessly for this specific question and got a bunch of old threads with pictures missing and way too much information about Scion xb’s lol)]

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@Infinity has some sweet ones on his ride, maybe he can chime in.

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Uh, my bad! Lol :joy: But you know, the Rav4 is sort of an automotive cousin to the newer xB ::smirk:

I would see if VanTech has load bars for your siderails. I have one of their systems on our '13 xB and am very happy with it. VanTech has a bunch of accessories, and a very respectable load rating (way more than you’ll probably ever need for ladders - but the more the better).

You’ll need to do something to cover the slots in the top and bottom of the load bars to avoid whistling, though. I used something like this, from my local hardware store:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/855-1-4-in-x-1-3-8-in-x-8-ft-PVC-Composite-White-FRP-Divider-Moulding-0085508011/100573218?MERCH=REC-_-mobileweb_pip_rr-1-_-100245890-_-100573218-_-N

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If you want to do it on the cheap: Steel or aluminum bar stock mounted horizontally over the roof racks, attach with U-bolts and locktite.

Ratchet straps are like 2 bucks at Wal-Mart for tying the ladder down.

Weight from just one extension ladder probably won’t be an issue.

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Best I got was the Telphone van ones from a Junk Yard worked for 20 years!
Just look at the many types.
https://www.google.com/search?q=best+ladder+racks+for+vans&newwindow=1&safe=active&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS708US708&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=950&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhuoP7mdnRAhXrhlQKHUDeBLEQ_AUIBygC
$139 for removable and they look well made.
http://www.etrailer.com/Ladder-Racks/MaxxTow/MT70440-2.html?feed=npn&gclid=COqCjrGa2dECFQFofgodGM4M_Q
They even match your van type
http://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?hhcat=lr
Do not go cheap and used the good rachet tie down’s . We have had ladders in the middle of the hwy. not using the right tie downs

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Clamps like these if you can get them are great.

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Car cousins!

Thanks for the input I’ll definitely check those out for any whistling problems. I looked up vantech and found a nice system I’m keeping in mind (no weight capacity on the catalog tho -_-)

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I like the way you think. A lot of the cheaper ones I’m looking at will clamp on but hold up to 150 lbs… I’m assuming that’s enough for one ladder??

@Phileepoo yeah I was looking on etrailer already and found some decent ones that fit my specific suv thats why I was asking specifically for weight capacity (cuz there are so many) any suggestions for tie downs?

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This is what I’m looking at, decent constructon, 150 lb capacity. What say you forum?

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I should hope so. If you can move a 150 lb ladder around then you need to be cage fighting and not cleaning windows like a chump.

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You should look in your owner’s manual to see what your siderails are rated for. That’ll be your weakest link. I would be very surprised if it was less than 100lbs, though. That’s probably the minimum rating I would want for carrying two or more extension ladders.

Edit: quick google search reveals the rating to be 102.6 lbs (an oddly specific number that doesn’t convert to an even metric unit), at least for the 2006 model Rav4. My googling also uncovered many people who are exceeding that limit using aftermarket cross bars, with no apparent ill-effects :rolling_eyes:

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I think I found that same thread with people using multiple kayaks for one roof lol.

@Samuel that had me rollin bro.

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