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blownstang01's avatar
blownstang01
Explorer
Apr 16, 2019

Roof Rack-Class C, Anyone ?

I am going to be building roof racks for our Winnebago class C. I will be making a simple 8' wide aluminum square tube (X2) for Kayaks. Has anyone done this before ? How did you attach ? I would like to mount into the roof and seal the holes, but I am concerned about the layout of the internal wiring and A/C ducts built into the roof structure. I see from info online that Winnebago installs sheet metal plates where things such as satellite dish etc are to be mounted for strength, obviously I don't have these where I want to mount the racks in the rear of the coach, this has me concerned about the strength of the roof to hold a screw otherwise. I also thought about installing a nutsert through the fiberglass and wood layer of the roof to help with pull-out strength. Thoughts ?

Oh, and yes I searched this and other forums. I know how I'm going to build the racks, I have not seen a post regarding my mounting question and how others have done it. Thanks
  • Dusty_R's avatar
    Dusty_R
    Explorer
    Apr 16, 2019
    I have done that to 2 Itasca mh's.
    They each have fiber glass roofs, and I did not put holes in the roof.
    I use a 3-1/2" hole saw to make wheels/disc's/donuts. I'm not a very good scribe, I would post a picture but I've tried and have not been able to do that with my MacBook. I can e-mail pictures.
    PM me your e-mail add if you would like pictures. If not I will try to explain how I built my racks.

    Dusty
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Apr 16, 2019
    My rig came with roof rack but there is no way I would put a kayak up there - maybe on the rear bumper but not on the roof. RV roofs are one of the weak points on rigs and many avoid trying to place any weight/strain on them. Just my 02.
  • Cobra21's avatar
    Cobra21
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2019
    Our factory roof rack must have been brushed by overhanging trees or something prior to our purchase. It was loose and several of the mounting screw holes leaked. I removed the rack and did a patch with eternabond tape, problem solved.
    Brian
  • blownstang01's avatar
    blownstang01
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2019
    ksg5000 wrote:
    My rig came with roof rack but there is no way I would put a kayak up there - maybe on the rear bumper but not on the roof. RV roofs are one of the weak points on rigs and many avoid trying to place any weight/strain on them. Just my 02.


    I don't know if you have ever walked on a Winnebago roof, but it's like walking on the ground. I go 270 (unfortunately) and the roof is a solid as a rock. Other makes I've been on, not so much, I feel like i'm going to fall through. Many people will chime in now saying that don't like how Winnebago seals the edges, but as far as being solid, I have no concern. Thanks for the input.

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