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**CornishDaddy** · #1 26 Jun 2008

So, it would seem our faithful roof rack has broken in two places. This roof rack has been welded several times before, and to be honest I think it may have had it.

What I'm interested in knowing is how complicated is it to put a new roof rack in its place? I'm not really a mechanical genius, but I'm keen, and the wife is a bit better and keener than me.

Also, will any roof rack do? We will have a roof tent and a spare tyre up there, plus some lighter bits and bobs.

The other option I have to to get someone to weld the older one, or go and get a professional to put the new one in place.

What are people's thoughts?

Thanks in advance ..

Cheers

**Richard K** · #2 27 Jun 2008

Hi Ollie,

If you are putting serious KG up there it's best to have one with extra supports that reach down and transfer weight to the tub/bulkhead. The gutters on a Defender can get a bit bendy under strain.

Brownchurch do good ones.

You might need to drill a couple of holes for the supports, otherwise it's just a case of placing the thing and tightening the clamps around the guttering

**gilghana1** · #3 27 Jun 2008

Ollie, I checked your site, and see that your roofrack is a self fabricated one. I had one also on my Defender - full length home made one and it weighed a bloody ton. Like you I also had a spare up there and a roof tent... This is a not inconsiderable weight all in, and now just use two thule roof bars for the tent, another two and a bit of plywood for lashing down folding chairs and table, and that is all - probably weighs at least half of what I had on the defender roof.

As far as complexity goes well they are pretty simple things! But for mounting and de-mounting mine (and same goes for the tent) I used an overhead crane in a workshop (even a rope over a tree would be a big help) - heavy and awkward rather than complex, but certainly not a job where you need professional assistance.
Gil

**Guyver1** · #4 27 Jun 2008

Hi Ollie,

My brother and i bought brownchurch racks, one each for my Disco and his Defender.
The Defender one is very solid and well made. (as is the Disco one) It comes with the extra supports mentioned by Richard K.

It's expensive but IMO you get what you pay for.

Tell Don from BrownChurch i said hi and if you ask him nicely he might do you a little discount

. he did for me

HTH
alanO

**ChrisC** · #5 28 Jun 2008

Hi Ollie

Brownchurch all the way or something equally well made and preferably with the extended supports as Richard said.

Obviously check with Brownchurch themselves, but also quite alot of the Utility co's use them so have a look around ebay and some of the Land Rover websites. Also check some of the other Land Rover indie's - Foley's, Frogs, RCV, Nene, Footloose, etc - they may have one they have removed off a vehicle.

**CornishDaddy** · #6 28 Jun 2008

Thanks all - we are going to patch it together, and then take the vehicle to Billing and accost any drunk roof rack experts we can find for advice.

After that we will make up our mind, but looks like it could be a visit to Mr Brownchurch .........

Thanks again