Bison Gear Shelf: Real-world overlanding with 2x Front Runner chairs?

[BoatTox]

I have purchased the Bison Gear shelf to install in my 2026 Grenadier, when it arrives. I already own two Front Runner Expander chairs and want to mount them using the Bison "under-shelf" brackets.

The math for this specific setup (2 chairs + 2 bags + 2 brackets) totals approximately 15.2 kg (33.5 lbs). This is 3.2 kg (approx. 7 lbs) over the stated 12 kg dynamic weight limit for the Bison Gear Cargo Shelf.

For anyone who has actually used this setup on corrugated roads or overlanding trips:

• Have you experienced any bracket fatigue, sagging, or hardware loosening when using the Front Runner Expander Chairs and Storage Bags?
• Are you concerned about the structural integrity given it’s ~25% over the dynamic limit with the Bison Gear Under-The-Shelf Brackets installed?
• Have you found a way to reinforce the mounting points, or is the 12 kg limit just a conservative estimate?

I’m trying to decide if I need to find lighter chairs or if this shelf can reliably handle the extra few pounds while in motion.

 

[GrenAF]

Let us know what you find.

 

[GN4HIR]

I have this same setup and I've had no problem, even with the shelf filled with stuff... mostly jackets, towels, blankets, shoes.

You will need some rubber straps across the opening to hold the chairs in place. I also experienced some rattling even with tight bolts, so last time I had it out I put adhesive foam between the mating surfaces and it is quite now.

I had these and they worked well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D95NCXCC?tag=globalgrena0b-20

 

[DenisM]

I have purchased the Bison Gear shelf to install in my 2026 Grenadier, when it arrives. I already own two Front Runner Expander chairs and want to mount them using the Bison "under-shelf" brackets.

The math for this specific setup (2 chairs + 2 bags + 2 brackets) totals approximately 15.2 kg (33.5 lbs). This is 3.2 kg (approx. 7 lbs) over the stated 12 kg dynamic weight limit for the Bison Gear Cargo Shelf.

For anyone who has actually used this setup on corrugated roads or overlanding trips:

• Have you experienced any bracket fatigue, sagging, or hardware loosening when using the Front Runner Expander Chairs and Storage Bags?
• Are you concerned about the structural integrity given it’s ~25% over the dynamic limit with the Bison Gear Under-The-Shelf Brackets installed?
• Have you found a way to reinforce the mounting points, or is the 12 kg limit just a conservative estimate?

I’m trying to decide if I need to find lighter chairs or if this shelf can reliably handle the extra few pounds while in motion.

Are you sure about the chair weights... Total weight of two Expander chairs plus their carry bags should be no more than 10kg max. That makes for very heavy brackets...

 

[BoatTox]

I have this same setup and I've had no problem, even with the shelf filled with stuff... mostly jackets, towels, blankets, shoes.

You will need some rubber straps across the opening to hold the chairs in place. I also experienced some rattling even with tight bolts, so last time I had it out I put adhesive foam between the mating surfaces and it is quite now.

I had these and they worked well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D95NCXCC?tag=globalgrena0b-20

Thank you. I will get some ordered. I plan to do a fair amount of rocky roads living in MO so I'm thinking I may keep one chair for my wife and find one of those expandable stools for me. Appreciate the help.

 

[BoatTox]

Are you sure about the chair weights... Total weight of two Expander chairs plus their carry bags should be no more than 10kg max. That makes for very heavy brackets...

Checking now. I will put them on the scale and let you know. That is what I found them listed as but it could be off. The ones I have are 2 chairs in one pack and they are not as light as I would like

 

[BoatTox]

Are you sure about the chair weights... Total weight of two Expander chairs plus their carry bags should be no more than 10kg max. That makes for very heavy brackets...

Unfortunately, yeah they’re 19.3 pounds and that’s with only one of the bags. I don’t think the other bag will add that much but a 19.5 pounds. On the bison gear website they say each bracket (3.6 kg) so two of those 15.9 lbs. Total is 34.9 lbs. I’m going to look at the front runner website maybe their new chairs are lighter as I bought these in 2021. But right now it looks like the two chairs alone plus the bracket would be too much.

 

[Tenac]

I just went wheeling with another member and really liked his use of the Bison shelf. I actually ordered the full back kit myself this week. Thanks GN4HIR for the pointer on the rattle and straps. I feel like this will be a solid buy.

 

[BoatTox]

Unfortunately, yeah they’re 19.3 pounds and that’s with only one of the bags. I don’t think the other bag will add that much but a 19.5 pounds. On the bison gear website they say each bracket (3.6 kg) so two of those 15.9 lbs. Total is 34.9 lbs. I’m going to look at the front runner website maybe their new chairs are lighter as I bought these in 2021. But right now it looks like the two chairs alone plus the bracket would be too much.

So it looks like listing on their website is 9 pounds so two of those would be 18 and I guess the bag that holds it weighs about 1.3 pounds.

 

[BoatTox]

I just went wheeling with another member and really liked his use of the Bison shelf. I actually ordered the full back kit myself this week. Thanks GN4HIR for the pointer on the rattle and straps. I feel like this will be a solid buy.

I already have the rack ordered to my dealership to have it installed when my Grenadier arrives. I’m definitely gonna order one of the shelves. I think I’ll mess with it a little bit before I order the second one. At least if I have a chair for my wife I can do something else. I just don’t wanna maximize that up there because I probably will be bouncing around a lot more than some people and I’d like to be able to put some mild clothing and blankets up there as well as a couple of other small items.

 

[Tenac]

I already have the rack ordered to my dealership to have it installed when my Grenadier arrives. I’m definitely gonna order one of the shelves. I think I’ll mess it a little bit before I order the second one. At least if I have a chair for my wife I can do something else. I just don’t wanna maximize that up there because I probably will be bouncing around a lot more than some people and I’d like to be able to put some mild clothing and blankets up there as well as a couple of other small items.

Yeah makes total sense, I have the Right hand basket holds all my tools well. So now I ordered both panels, left side basket and top shelf. They said the system is designed to work together so I'm hoping with some rubber tape I can keep anything from rattling.

 

[BoatTox]

This is the reply I received Bison this morning. It’s not as helpful as I would have hoped. I understand the shelf will accept two of the chairs with the holders, but they didn’t address if I can put even 1 pound worth of additional material on the cargo shelf or if it is essentially useless under dynamic stress.

 

[clm7214]

I have the shelf and really like it. It could be stiffer though. I took thick metal squares to use as spacers that better distribute the load at the mounting points. There is still some flex there, but it comes from the mounting point in the Grenadier itself. I also cut and drilled steel strap and angle to run the lengths of the shelf to add more rigidity. I highly recommend doing that before install if you carry a lot of weight up there and drive a lot of dirt and washboard roads. I also did the same reinforcement on their exterior panels becasue they flex too much on washboard roads when rotopax containers are mounted.

 

[BoatTox]

I have the shelf and really like it. It could be stiffer though. I took thick metal squares to use as spacers that better distribute the load at the mounting points. There is still some flex there, but it comes from the mounting point in the Grenadier itself. I also cut and drilled steel strap and angle to run the lengths of the shelf to add more rigidity. I highly recommend doing that before install if you carry a lot of weight up there and drive a lot of dirt and washboard roads. I also did the same reinforcement on their exterior panels becasue they flex too much on washboard roads when rotopax containers are mounted.

Thank you for this information. Unfortunately my dealership is installing it not me. I will say I’m looking more and more at just getting two Helinox savanna chairs. They weigh 4 pounds apiece are small form shape and I don’t have to add the brackets which would let me have more weight on the cargo shelf itself.

I have one ordered my wife and I are going to try them I’ve got a feeling we’ll just get rid of the front runner chairs.

 

[clm7214]

Thank you for this information. Unfortunately my dealership is installing it not me. I will say I’m looking more and more at just getting two Helinox savanna chairs. They weigh 4 pounds apiece are small form shape and I don’t have to add the brackets which would let me have more weight on the cargo shelf itself.

I have one ordered my wife and I are going to try them I’ve got a feeling we’ll just get rid of the front runner chairs.

I just throw two ultralight backpacking chairs up on the shelf. I have two chairs, two sleeping bags, two camp pillows, air down/up kit, 2000W inverter, recovery rope, two sleeping pads, and camp toilet in the rack and whatever else I jam in there, plus two traction boards mounted on the underside of the shelf. That save a ton of cargo floor space for other things. You'll like the shelf.

 

[BoatTox]

I just throw two ultralight backpacking chairs up on the shelf. I have two chairs, two sleeping bags, two camp pillows, air down/up kit, 2000W inverter, recovery rope, two sleeping pads, and camp toilet in the rack and whatever else I jam in there, plus two traction boards mounted on the underside of the shelf. That save a ton of cargo floor space for other things. You'll like the shelf.

Thank you this give me peace of mind combined with other above. That is what I now plan to do. I will change the chairs then I can mount Maxtrax inside instead of outside. I have all this light small stuff I want to put up there and your setup is what I’m going for.

 

[BoatTox]

Thank you to everyone helping me work through this. I will post some pics after I have mine setup. Plan to use a little bit of all the advice above.

 

[clm7214]

Thank you this give me peace of mind combined with other above. That is what I now plan to do. I will change the chairs then I can mount Maxtrax inside instead of outside. I have all this light small stuff I want to put up there and your setup is what I’m going for.

Build your own traction board mount out of strap steel to spread the load out. Otherwise it will spring up and down on rough roads.

 

[TheDocAUS]

I have purchased the Bison Gear shelf to install in my 2026 Grenadier, when it arrives. I already own two Front Runner Expander chairs and want to mount them using the Bison "under-shelf" brackets.

The math for this specific setup (2 chairs + 2 bags + 2 brackets) totals approximately 15.2 kg (33.5 lbs). This is 3.2 kg (approx. 7 lbs) over the stated 12 kg dynamic weight limit for the Bison Gear Cargo Shelf.

For anyone who has actually used this setup on corrugated roads or overlanding trips:

• Have you experienced any bracket fatigue, sagging, or hardware loosening when using the Front Runner Expander Chairs and Storage Bags?
• Are you concerned about the structural integrity given it’s ~25% over the dynamic limit with the Bison Gear Under-The-Shelf Brackets installed?
• Have you found a way to reinforce the mounting points, or is the 12 kg limit just a conservative estimate?

I’m trying to decide if I need to find lighter chairs or if this shelf can reliably handle the extra few pounds while in motion.

I have a Bison-style rear roof shelf, with a Front Runner chair, a Travel Buddy oven slung under the shelf and plenty more stuff on the shelf. It survived a remote trip with no issues.

Grenadier build – Travel Buddy Oven

TRAVEL BUDDY OVENTasks today:1. Wired the 50-amp Anderson plug to the Travel Buddy Oven. Fitted the KAON insulated door to the oven.2. Fitted the KAON Travel Buddy mounting brackets to the rear roo…

thedocaus.com