A contraption for occasional loads to protect roof from scratches

[hardloaf]

I have an occasional need to transport minor loads on the roof which would not fit or are too dirty for the cabin. The main purpose is to provide a more or less firm surface and protect the roof paint from scratches. It has to lie on Grenadier's standard plastic roof rails, be strapped tight to existing side "handles," and the load would also be strapped to the same handles on top. Ideally, some kind of a rubberized rigid or semi-rigid folding mat.
Possible loads - a few bikes, a Christmas tree, a large box, and so on.
A good old tarp would kind of work, of course, but it will flop and may tear. Not ideal.
Did anybody find already a neat and a convenient solution for this kind of things?

 

[Dokatd]

From experience I would suggest you get a hitch tray. The Grenadier does not like having stuff on the roof. It quickly becomes top heavy and its handling suffers immensely. The truck without anything up top is already too top heavy due to the roof structure.

Just my 2¢ worth of experience, and I am sure a bunch of Overlanding Grenadier FanBois will dispute this with their 1000lbs of useless crap strapped to their roof full time.