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.

 

[Tazzieman]

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.

You didn't note the 3" lift and larger tyres contributing to the tippiness.
I have neither, and never noted any major issue with decent loads. Perhaps because the bottom half of the car also carries weight and I'm lumbered with measly 100km/ hr speed limits around corners.

 

[Jeffrey]

-Get two or three crossbars and a bunch of tie down straps. Bingo.

 

[Jeremy996]

When I moved my big ladders, I used a carpet runner. (The old truck before being drowned).

For your use case, I'd suggest a rubber mat,

 

[Jeremy996]

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.

Jeez, whinging can be tiresome.
Anyone who puts a load on the roof without good cause or without remembering to change their driving style is an idiot - physics says that all loads should be as close to the centre of gravity as possible to reduce any adverse effects. It doesn't matter if it a Grenadier, a Jeep, a G-Wagen, old Defender, new Defender, Trooper, Land Cruiser, Dacia Duster, Fiat Panda 4x4 or a Rolls Royce Cullinan slumming it.

 

[Dokatd]

You didn't note the 3" lift and larger tyres contributing to the tippiness.
I have neither, and never noted any major issue with decent loads. Perhaps because the bottom half of the car also carries weight and I'm lumbered with measly 100km/ hr speed limits around corners.

Same issue existed in stock form. 2" lift went on later.

Jeez, whinging can be tiresome.
Anyone who puts a load on the roof without good cause or without remembering to change their driving style is an idiot - physics says that all loads should be as close to the centre of gravity as possible to reduce any adverse effects. It doesn't matter if it a Grenadier, a Jeep, a G-Wagen, old Defender, new Defender, Trooper, Land Cruiser, Dacia Duster, Fiat Panda 4x4 or a Rolls Royce Cullinan slumming it.

No doubt, but G-wagon has radius arm suspension and is much stiffer. I have run the same loads on my G-wagon with vastly better results than the Gren. Defender either has a fairly light roll cage or an aluminum roof that weights nothing.

Grenadier was built to roll over and meet safety standards. This means way heavier up top. This is not disputable. Add a heavy ass Rhino Rack and 28' ladder and some other items and she gets goofy.

If you aren't loading long things like ladders then a trailer hitch tray may be much nicer.

Thats just solid advice to the OP, no whining going on here.

 

[DaveB]

You didn't note the 3" lift and larger tyres contributing to the tippiness.
I have neither, and never noted any major issue with decent loads. Perhaps because the bottom half of the car also carries weight and I'm lumbered with measly 100km/ hr speed limits around corners.

I was racing mine around a track recently and noticed considerable body roll when I had a load on the roof and doing over 140 kmh.

 

[Dokatd]

I was racing mine around a track recently and noticed considerable body roll when I had a load on the roof and doing over 140 kmh.

Only 140kmh on a track? Thats literally the speed limit in some parts of Texas.

 

[Tazzieman]

I was racing mine around a track recently and noticed considerable body roll when I had a load on the roof and doing over 140 kmh.

Things are quiet at the Toogoom roundabout on Sundays , that is until Dave has his Weetabix!

 

[DaveB]

Only 140kmh on a track? Thats literally the speed limit in some parts of Texas.

Anyone that drives a Grenadier round a bend at over, or even at, 140 kmh (87 mph) is crazy.
I think I have done 146 KMH (90mph) on a straight motorway and that was the limit for me.
No chance of me testing the 160 kmh speed limiter.

 

[Dokatd]

Anyone that drives a Grenadier round a bend at over, or even at, 140 kmh (87 mph) is crazy.
I think I have done 146 KMH (90mph) on a straight motorway and that was the limit for me.
No chance of me testing the 160 kmh speed limiter.

Well, keep your Grenadier at home when you visit Texas next. Our highways are intentionally swervy to keep your attention up. North Tollway here in North Texas you will get run over if you aren't doing 70mph plus and that has some sketch zigs and zags to it.

 

[DaveB]

Well, keep your Grenadier at home when you visit Texas next. Our highways are intentionally swervy to keep your attention up. North Tollway here in North Texas you will get run over if you aren't doing 70mph plus and that has some sketch zigs and zags to it.

70MPH is only 112 kph which is smooth and easy in the beast.
I normally sit on an indicated 118 kph (GPS 114 kph) on the motorway.
Overtaking up to about 140 kph
The diesel is very comfortable and smooth at that speed.
Wind gusts on the other hand...................