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Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 23 Jan 2012 16:17
by Strandblom
Hi, I need some info on roof racks and tent
I have a 2003 4.8 GRX and would like to invest in a full length roof rack and rooftop tent.
What is the carrying capacity of the 4.8 roof? obviously one does not load it too heavy when driving for safety reasons, but what weight can the roof take when camping with the rooftop tent? Neither me nor my wife are exactly featherweights and I don't want to wake up with cracked windows! I've never owned a rooftop tent. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Does the roof take all the weight when using the tent or does the ladder also assist?
Thanks
Jacques
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 23 Jan 2012 17:00
by ricster
Your tent will be attached to the roofrack, which distributes the load through out the roofrack connectors. The connectors are then fitted to the "rain rails that run the length of the roof, from windshield to rear doors. I was also concerned about this weight on this small piece of steel..... but fear not. I've carried my rooftop tent and 3 full ammo boxes over heavily corrugated roads in Mocambique, and it didn't move a millimeter!!!
We sleep my wife, my son... ok he is only 8 years old... and myself up there no problem. Ok I'm only 75Kg, and I dare not say anything about my wifes weight....
The ladder of the tent itself is purely to get up and down.... cause your ....ummm .... ass is still pretty much on the roofrack part....haha
Check first that your roofrack will take the tent. I say this as my roof rack has a rail all the way around, and I had to raise my tent to flip over the rail when open..... or cut the rail where the tent will flop over.
Hope this helps until others reply
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 23 Jan 2012 19:26
by Herrie
The roof can handle 200kg!
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 23 Jan 2012 22:16
by Grootseun
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 23 Jan 2012 22:23
by Alex Roux
In my geval kan die tent, rack & SWAMBO saam 125 kg weeg. Nie dat ek noodwendig dit so verkies nie...
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 24 Jan 2012 07:51
by Grant
GS,
My total static maximum weight on my GQ is 225 kgs. Probably a little stronger with the gutter mounts. What I have done to distribute the weight more effectively is four roof rack feet on each side.
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/nissan-p ... load-9257/
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 24 Jan 2012 07:57
by Grant
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 24 Jan 2012 08:02
by Peter Connan
You guys must remember this:
The allowable roof rack loads are calculated for when you are driving. The influence of the roof load on vehicle stability is usually the determining factor. Secondly, the roof load increases dramatically when you are driving, particularly on corrugations and speedbumps etc. The static load can more than double, and this is also taken into account.
Thus you should easily be able to double the manufacturer's limit when the car is stationary.
I have never heard of a car's roof breaking due to people sleeping on the roof, the damage almost always occurs when driving, even though the static load is then considerably less.
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 24 Jan 2012 08:22
by ricster
Re: Patrol 4.8 rooftop tent info
Posted: 24 Jan 2012 08:24
by Grant