Clamp on roof rack

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    • July 3, 2020 at 11:22 #43327
      ardvark
      Participant

      I want to put a roof rack on my Northstar, however, I do not want to drill the roof. On one forum an owner used a standard clamp-on roof rack using the rain gutter successfully for several years. I am debating doing the same thing. I want the rack to mount solar panels which I also do not want to drill into my roof.

      Anyone done anything similar or have another idea? If you did something similar what brand clamps did you use?

      thanks,

      Ardvark

      Steve and Andra
      2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
      Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
      2019 Northstar Laredo SC

    • July 3, 2020 at 11:41 #43328
      Chris
      Participant

      I wouldn’t be too scared of drilling holes, hundreds of us have done it, manufactures and dealers do the same thing. You’d end up with much better results, and alot more options for mounting whatever you desire. A couple of Yakima tracks, permanently installed correctly would be 100 times better than clamping on to a gutter, which was never meant to be load bearing. If you do, i’d suggest you remove, and reinstall the gutters with upgraded fasteners, and make sure they are actually attached to some structure, instead of just simply “attached”.

    • July 3, 2020 at 12:22 #43329
      ardvark
      Participant

      Chris,

      I am not afraid of drilling the roof. I have done that on hundreds of other RVs and on our own fifth wheel and two of our past motor homes. We tend to change campers somewhat often and I simply did not want to go through the bother of of unscrewing and filling holes or having to leave tracks on the roof.

      Just stuff I am considering, although I am not even committed to solar given we always have a genny with us in hot weather to run the air conditioner. I am much less a fan of solar than some folks as depending on solar means parking in the sun. I am also considering portables, but that brings with it additional issues. As always just no perfect solution when it comes to RVs.

      Thanks,

      Ardvark

      Steve and Andra
      2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
      Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
      2019 Northstar Laredo SC

    • July 3, 2020 at 13:09 #43330
      Chris
      Participant

      I totally understand!

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