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Boatycall's avatar
Boatycall
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013

Roof storage ideas for an AF

Looking for pictures and ideas of roof storage for my AF. Using the ladder on my AF is sketchy at best due to the short ladder and rear awning in the way.

What I'm looking for -
* Pictures
* How did you attach it? Screw through the roof, straps, clamps, adhesive, etc.
* Can you get around it to and still get on the roof?
  • I posted pretty much the same question some time ago. I got the same answer you have been getting for the last couple of hours. A search did not help me at all.
  • you might consider the same ladder set up that I have on my Lance. I have zero issues get up top as long as the awning is retracted



    and it gave me great access to the thile box on our SW Desert trip

  • I considered doing the same when I had my 1150 because the roof is so massive. I decided against it for several reasons.

    1. As you noted getting up and down is a safety concern even with both hands empty so carrying something up that high didn't appeal to me.

    2. The luggage rack was nice to look at but the only open area was where you would climb up on to the roof in front of the ladder, the drivers side had the bathroom power vent and bathroom skylight in the way so it was useless on that side. Unless you wanted to be climbing over the storage putting something on the right was pointless as well so I determined the roof rack was nothing more than a hand hold to climb on to the roof with and more holes to do maintenance on. I'd delete that option if I ever ordered a camper. The only place left really was on either side of the AC and the small space directly behind it but that brought up my other concerns.

    3. How would I attach it to the roof. I didn't like the idea of more holes to become potential leaks as there was already enough holes up there for me to contend with.

    4. Also was the concern of damaging the roof, not from weight but rather the container constantly in contact rubbing away at the roof membrane. You'd have to put down a barrier or make sure what ever you used to attach it was solid. I guess you could make a bracket and attach it to the roof rack itself but then it would stick up higher than the AC and possibly cause clearance issues.

    In the end I found the back seat of the truck or inside the camper was a safer and less hassle place to put my stuff.

    I know it's not the answer you were after but just out of curiosity what would you want to put up there if you do this?
  • I have considered mounting a storage box on the roof rails to avoid membrane wear and additional holes, but found few things I was willing to carry up to and down from the roof.

    We store things inside the extended cab, on a hitch cargo basket or in one of our trailers when we have a lot with us.

    I am also pushing weight capacities and do not want to be tempted to carry additional weigh with such a high CG.
  • Our 990 needed more storage and after a recent road trip, this was the answer.
    Found this thule box on craigslist,it fit our width requirements 30-32"and is about 70 or 80" long. Made a rack to keep it as low as possible and would've used the "maggie racks"but mine were cheaper.
    This opens from either side, I access it easily from the roof.
    It holds our aluminum table and chairs and all the extras,I lower chairs etc. with rope and hook to DW.
    Mounting consisted of 4 screws and sealant on each plate, the edge screws went into a structural beam, went 2000 miles and sealed it again. 12 feet to the top.
    We're really happy with this setup. Good luck!


  • Boatycall wrote:
    none of the pics in that thread worked for me


    The problem is on your end. The pictures work fine for me.
  • I have considered mounting a storage box on the roof but changed my mind because of added weight making TC more top heavy and then there is the safety issues as others have pointed out.

    Just not worth it IMO.