Mounting roof rack on camper

Bought a ladder from them. Just drove to there place and picked it up.Here's there contact info.

http://www.toplinemfg.com/html/contact.html

Hi Jeff243, I just called Topline, told them I wanted and they sent it. No secrets.

DWeikert wrote:
As a fellow Northstar Adventurer owner, your roof is marine plywood. (I think it's 3/4") I'd use wood screws with Eternabond under the feet to prevent water intrusion.

I think you will find that the plywood is 3/8".

DieselBurps & anutami: can you share the secret for ordering direct? I've called Topline on several occasions trying to buy something other than the 48" bars available through retailers and can't get past the first question: "what manufacturer or dealer do you work for?" I've been told by at least three different customer service reps that they do not sell directly to the general public. Thanks for any knowledge you can share. Or secret handshakes, passwords, etc... :W

DieselBurps wrote:
Here is the instructions.

http://www.toplinemfg.com/instpdfs/maggie-rack.pdf

Just to clarify, you're referring to the inserts in steps 14-17? Those inserts are for going through the sheet metal on a car. I definitely wouldn't use them for the wood roof on our Northstars. There is a gap between the roof plywood and the internal ceiling so you'd have to use a very long screw for that to be a concern. Looking at the actual screw install on step 19, I can see why you're concerned about wood screws. How large is the head on the screws supplied? I'd shop for a stainless round head with a similar head size and select a length so just under 3/4" worth of threads stick out the bottom of the pod. I used a 3/4" #8 wood screw when I mounted my solar panel with the ~1/8"(?) thick mounting brackets.

Thanks anutami, I ordered from Topline and got 96 inch bars. I will have to get a hold of Northstar and find out the length. I have Dicor on hand as well.

I have installed 3 maggie racks on 3 different truck campers, my first install was on my Northstar Laredo. Northstar recommended brass wood screws, can't remember the length. I used a healthy amount of dicor. It looks like you purchased 1 online from a retailer? You can order direct from the factory and get a custom length. I would recomend calling Northstar for the proper screw length, bringing the feet to the hardware store and finding the largest size stianless or brass screw that will fit through the holes.

Here is the instructions.

http://www.toplinemfg.com/instpdfs/maggie-rack.pdf

The T nut inserts are only 1/4 inch, so if the the roof actually is 3/4 ply I shouldn't even be drilling through that all the way.

I will look to see if wood screws are even possible with the way the feet mount to the roof.

As a fellow Northstar Adventurer owner, your roof is marine plywood. (I think it's 3/4") I'd use wood screws with Eternabond under the feet to prevent water intrusion.