Do you like your cargo roof shelf?

[ANNML]

I'm in the same club as @bigleonski and @TheDocAUS using a locally produced design that resembles another locally produced design that resembles the Bison high mount design which itself is not especially unique. None are copies, nope. Like Sir Jim said to JLR: "When you build a shelf that is based purely on function and put a bolt on each corner this is what it looks like." Or something like that

One down point of any semi-permanent accessory like this is the loss of overhead cargo bay height. Yes it's a great place to put stuff but on the odd occasion where you want to load in something tall; like may that new 60kg (130lb) dishwasher I picked up last weekend, the loss of height becomes a factor in how you can use your vehicle for bulky cargo. Ten minutes and four bolts and it's out of the way but it's a consideration. Same goes for drawers. Any bolt-in accessory is adapting the vehicle towards a more specific purpose and that's ok if that's how you use that space most of the time.

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You mentioned hauling an appliance and I didn’t even think of that! I bought a huge oven and was able to fit it in my LR3. Good thing to keep in mind that you may have to remove shelf for hauling.

From reading the replies, I think I’m leaning towards the upper shelf vs mid-deck. I do have the Bison side baskets and the quality is awesome; and took me 5 minutes to install!

 

[parb]

I am almost 18 months with the bison shelf. It's excellent. I also have the diabolical drawer and it works well with the bison. The side baskets are great too. Love it with the overland gear guy bags for the baskets.

I have a separate subwoofer box in the trunk that I'm about to mount as an underhang from the bison shelf. It's pretty shallow so I can still keep a cooler under it.

On my shelf I have my tow hook (in a bag). A scissor jack +in a bag), a machete (cutting brush on a trail) and some first aid gear. Its been a really good purchase. I added the little hinges plate that completely isolates the luggage compartment as well as interior molle in the rear windows and in the rear doors. It's a really functional storage area now that's easy to organize. I'm somewhat OCD with keeping things in its place.

 

[ANNML]

I am almost 18 months with the bison shelf. It's excellent. I also have the diabolical drawer and it works well with the bison. The side baskets are great too. Love it with the overland gear guy bags for the baskets.

I have a separate subwoofer box in the trunk that I'm about to mount as an underhang from the bison shelf. It's pretty shallow so I can still keep a cooler under it.

On my shelf I have my tow hook (in a bag). A scissor jack +in a bag), a machete (cutting brush on a trail) and some first aid gear. Its been a really good purchase. I added the little hinges plate that completely isolates the luggage compartment as well as interior molle in the rear windows and in the rear doors. It's a really functional storage area now that's easy to organize. I'm somewhat OCD with keeping things in its place.

This is great to hear bc I was wondering if the Bison shelf would really hold that much — but it seems it really does, which makes it worth it.

I am sooo ocd about things having a specific spot too! If I’m organizing anything whatsoever, I’ll take forever figuring out how to best utilize that space — like a space puzzle. Drive myself nuts. But then my hubs is what I call a “stuffer” — if something needs to be put back, he’ll see an open space somewhere and just stuff it there whether or not it belongs there — totally ruining my org vibe. We are polar opposites in terms of organizing, but come on I am the *wife* which means I am more right which means he needs to get on board and conform! Remedial training isn’t even an option, he’s too far gone .

 

[CRH]

This is great to hear bc I was wondering if the Bison shelf would really hold that much — but it seems it really does, which makes it worth it.

I am sooo ocd about things having a specific spot too! If I’m organizing anything whatsoever, I’ll take forever figuring out how to best utilize that space — like a space puzzle. Drive myself nuts. But then my hubs is what I call a “stuffer” — if something needs to be put back, he’ll see an open space somewhere and just stuff it there whether or not it belongs there — totally ruining my org vibe. We are polar opposites in terms of organizing, but come on I am the *wife* which means I am more right which means he needs to get on board and conform! Remedial training isn’t even an option, he’s too far gone .

You are right, I was a wiz at Tetris. Always fit more stuff in than the wife!
Mine is a Bison, as mentioned earlier;
If you are concerned about the strength of the shelf, I've had a pretty heavy mobile compressor up there for a long time and the weight is all in the middle, I wore a hole in roof lining when I tried tucking it in the side
I currently have 2 chairs, compressor, small folding stove, gas cans, waterproof jackets, bungee cords, plus more up there. I keep re-arranging to try and make it all more accessible. I did have the cooking gear an plates in a bag up there too but relocated to hanging off the side basket but I am considering attaching to under the shelf.

 

[ANNML]

You are right, I was a wiz at Tetris. Always fit more stuff in than the wife!
Mine is a Bison, as mentioned earlier;
If you are concerned about the strength of the shelf, I've had a pretty heavy mobile compressor up there for a long time and the weight is all in the middle, I wore a hole in roof lining when I tried tucking it in the side
I currently have 2 chairs, compressor, small folding stove, gas cans, waterproof jackets, bungee cords, plus more up there. I keep re-arranging to try and make it all more accessible. I did have the cooking gear a plates in a bag up there too but relocated to hanging off the side basket but I am considering attaching to under the shelf.

Ooooooo the roof lining ! If that happened to me, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from looking at it and being annoyed. That sucks!

 

[CRH]

Ooooooo the roof lining ! If that happened to me, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from looking at it and being annoyed. That sucks!

Yep, me too, aarrghh

 

[ANNML]

Yep, me too, aarrghh

It’s like if you have a canker sore and you can’t stop poking at it with your tongue even though it huerts.

 

[Itsdchz]

Love my Bison Gear!
Have same one in my FJ80!!

 

[LC0013]

I have the Bison Roof Shelf and the Under the Shelf Compartment. Excellent quality and used, by myself, to haul mostly light stuff (that will not put holes in the roof lining). I would just put the heavier items near the side bolts for more support. My rear view does not seem to be hampered much either.