Roof rack for pop-up

[Skamper]

I want to put a roof rack system or a roof storage box/basket on my pop-up camper so that I can store lighter weight items while driving to/from camping to save space in my truck for other stuff.  I would probably only store lighter weight stuff, but even if i did heavier stuff, it would all come off before I pop-ed up the camper so as not to stress the pop-up mechanism/cables or the support arms.  Here's a few ideas I was tossing around, let me know what you think:

1) A simple racks like this one that I can use to hold stuff in place, and I would just tie stuff down:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_28275G_CL_1.jpg

2) A basket like this.  Same idea as the one above, except stuff would be lifted up in the basket instead of resting directly on my camper roof:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_17182G_CL_1.jpg

3) A rail systems like this so I can attach my Yakima storage box.  With this, everything would be in the storage box instead of out in the open.  
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_23410G_CL_1.jpg

Has anyone ever done this?  How did you install it to the roof of your pop-up?  I'm worried about making holes in the roof to attach something (don't want places for water to come in), but not sure if there is really any other way I will be able to attach.

Thanks for any help or ideas.

[Skamper]

Wow, no one???

[rsgault]

I through-bolted two Yakima Rails to the top of my 82 Coleman Redwood which allowed me to use Yakima crossbars to carry two bikes and a Rocket Box.  I have had no problems so far over about a thousand miles.  I reinforced the roof with aluminum strips under the rails to help spread the load.  The nice thing is being able to move the crossbars if necessary.

[wavery]

I want to put a roof rack system or a roof storage box/basket on my pop-up camper so that I can store lighter weight items while driving to/from camping to save space in my truck for other stuff.  I would probably only store lighter weight stuff, but even if i did heavier stuff, it would all come off before I pop-ed up the camper so as not to stress the pop-up mechanism/cables or the support arms.  Here's a few ideas I was tossing around, let me know what you think:

1) A simple racks like this one that I can use to hold stuff in place, and I would just tie stuff down:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_28275G_CL_1.jpg

2) A basket like this.  Same idea as the one above, except stuff would be lifted up in the basket instead of resting directly on my camper roof:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_17182G_CL_1.jpg

3) A rail systems like this so I can attach my Yakima storage box.  With this, everything would be in the storage box instead of out in the open.  
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_23410G_CL_1.jpg

Has anyone ever done this?  How did you install it to the roof of your pop-up? [COLOR="Red"] I'm worried about making holes in the roof to attach something (don't want places for water to come in)[/COLOR], but not sure if there is really any other way I will be able to attach.

Thanks for any help or ideas.

You have good reason to worry. The other issue is weight but if you don't have AC, you may be able to handle a small amount of weight.

Personally...........this would be my avenue of last resort. In the event that I did decide to install one, I would use 3M 5200 Marine Sealer to seal the installation. I would also allow it to cure for a minimum of 30-days. Just don't plan on ever removing it......

[fshnfool76]

Like rsgault, I through bolted to the roof. I used smaller pads made from aluminum than he did. I fiiled holes with silicone as I put the bolts thru and all aound them. I think this is the 3rd year since I did it with no leaks. Pics are on webshots.

[Skamper]

Ok, i'll consider doing it that way.  Need to look at your pictures.

Another option I had considered was installing a platform off the rear bumper of the camper.  My concerns with this is the flex this could cause to the frame of the camper, which in turn could affect the way it pops up.  Might also affect how it tows too.  Anyone done something like this though?

[wavery]

Ok, i'll consider doing it that way.  Need to look at your pictures.

Another option I had considered was installing a platform off the rear bumper of the camper.  My concerns with this is the flex this could cause to the frame of the camper, which in turn could affect the way it pops up.  Might also affect how it tows too.  Anyone done something like this though?

PopUps are not designed to handle any extra weight on the rear bumper. It is very important to maintain a minimum of 10% tongue weight on the trailer to avoid swaying. Any weight that you put aft of the axle must have an equal weight put forward to compensate. Once you do that, you may be compromising the trailer, axle and/or tire weight limits.

Remember, the main design concept of the PU trailer is, "Light weight and low profile". In the engineering of the PU, everything is designed very light. Once weight and design thresholds have been exceeded, all sorts of things change.

[Skamper]

Ya, that's kinda how I looked at it too, but I see pop-ups with non factory attachments on the rear bumper all the time.  Platforms, bike racks, cooler holders.  I like the roof rack idea better myself.  Will probably go that route.

[perterra]

These folks make one designed for tent trailers.
http://www.prorac.com/permmounttent.php

[Skamper]

Ok, I found a rack mounting system from Yakima that will work perfectly.  Instead of attaching directly down to the roof, it attaches to the sides.  This will greatly simplify the installation, plus it dramatically reduces the risk of water intrusion and stress to the flat roof surface.  I'll post some pics when I get it installed.

[wavery]

Ok, I found a rack mounting system from Yakima that will work perfectly.  Instead of attaching directly down to the roof, it attaches to the sides.  This will greatly simplify the installation, plus it dramatically reduces the risk of water intrusion and stress to the flat roof surface.  I'll post some pics when I get it installed.

That sounds like a good alternative. Look forward to seeing pics...

As an aside, when it comes time for tires, you may want to go to load range "D" if you are going to carry more weight and/or have weight up high.

PUs tend to have tires that are very minimally rated for the trailer. They also seem to have a lot of blow outs. I know that the GVWR on my trailer is higher than the rating of the tires :eyecrazy:. That has always puzzled me how the manuf can get away with rating the trailer itself at a higher capacity than the tires that they put on the trailer. It seems to me that the GVWR would be maximized at the trailers weakest link.

[perterra]

That sounds like a good alternative. Look forward to

PUs tend to have tires that are very minimally rated for the trailer. They also seem to have a lot of blow outs. I know that the GVWR on my trailer is higher than the rating of the tires :eyecrazy:. That has always puzzled me how the manuf can get away with rating the trailer itself at a higher capacity than the tires that they put on the trailer. It seems to me that the GVWR would be maximized at the trailers weakest link.

Boy howdy aint that the truth. I blew a 12" Duro on my Palomino two months ago, bumper to bumper interstate traffic in a construction zone with no shoulder. Slowed down and stopped traffic until I got to walking speed, then drug it thru the ditch and up to the service road (thank goodness for 4WD). I had been having issues with a tire, I would go camping and 5 days later it would be almost flat, take it off and to the tire shop and they couldnt find a leak. They would blow it back up to 65 psi and it would hold air for a month, I'd move the trailer and 5 days later its low again, I guess the blow out finally took care of my problem. I may try a set of 12" radials next, but if my luck doesnt change I've found a trailer shop who will change out the stubs on the torsion axles with stubs at different angles to give me room for 13" tires.