Forum Discussion

jamesinkster's avatar
jamesinkster
Explorer
Jun 29, 2017

Northern Lite roof rack options

I've got an old 1996 Northern Lite that I need to mount roof-racks (cross-bars) onto, to carry surfboards, skis, etc.

Northern Lite makes a boat rack which would be ideal, but after tax and shipping I'd be looking at about $800 plus my install time.

Does anyone have any ideas for alternatives?
I've looked at the Thule and Yakima gutter systems (ie., high towers attached to artificial gutters mounted to the side of the camper) but the problem seems to be getting bars wide enough! (The camper seems to be about 96" wide)

Is there an obvious option I'm missing, or does it come down to factory vs custom fabrication?
Truck Campers
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2017
    I'd go with Yakima Control Tracks which have bars up to 86".
  • jamesinkster's avatar
    jamesinkster
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2017
    Sorry, I should have clarified -- as I live in a rainforest I'm hoping to avoid drilling through the roof at all costs. So, I'm looking for some kind of side-mount option.

    thanks.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2017
    The obvious option is to either trundle down to Lowes or Home Depot (or the Internet) and check out some Unistrut or Powerstrut (both made by Unistrut. It comes in any length you need and has a multitude of tie down and securement options.

    Yakima and Thule stuff is way to expensive and it's preppy which is probably why it costs what it does.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2017
    You could glue the track to the top of your Northern Lite. There isn't any reason you'd have to drill a hole.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2017
    jimh425 wrote:
    You could glue the track to the top of your Northern Lite. There isn't any reason you'd have to drill a hole.


    That sounds scary
  • jamesinkster's avatar
    jamesinkster
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2017
    Yes, I've considered Sikaflexing tracks to the roof, but it makes me a bit nervous -- at 100km/hr with a canoe on the roof I could see a lot of potential upward lift. I'm aware that people do it, though.

    To further complicate things, there's not a lot of room on the roof for tracks (with vent lids, sewage vents, fridge vent, etc).
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2017
    SidecarFlip wrote:
    jimh425 wrote:
    You could glue the track to the top of your Northern Lite. There isn't any reason you'd have to drill a hole.


    That sounds scary


    I'd just drill it if it was mine. People drill boats below waterline. I'm assuming that's harder to keep from leaking than your roof. :)
  • jamesinkster's avatar
    jamesinkster
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2017
    As mentioned, at this point in time I'm looking for roof rack options that do not involve drilling into the roof.

    Thanks.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2017
    So, go with Unistrut or Powerstrut a bit longer than the width of the camper and use their brackets to mount to the side walls, just below the roof edge. There will be a purlin thee to attach to anyway.

    That eliminates holes in your roof and water intrusion and as an FYI. they both come in extruded aluminum and I think stainless if your wallet can handle that. You'll have to special order the non ferrous stuff from Grainger or direct from Unistrut in Wayne, Michigan.

    AQlways more than one way to skin a feline.
  • covered_wagon's avatar
    covered_wagon
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2017
    There are so many good fabricators, finding the right one most likely would be further out in the country with less overhead and not so hurried. You could have a nice built to fit the way you want out of something that's not a rust bomb. Either stainless or aluminum is best.

    I have had numerous items made by a great company that is hard to beat the price and quality. I show them a plan that I draw and it's always right and beautiful... made way better than some mass production outfit that cuts the quality and has a retailer mark up the price to you.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025