Michael Daly wrote:
On 16-Mar-2005, "Tinkerntom" wrote:

You would want to locate the 2x6 directly on one of these,
otherwise it would just be the skin of the van supporting the load.
The
skin on these newer vehicles is so thin, it will easily bend, and
you
will end up with a van with a concave roof. Not good where it rains
a
lot!


Since the 2x is about 60 inches long and about 1.5 inches wide, the
bearing area is about 90 sq. in. Two of these means the weight is
carried on 180 sq in. With two 90 lb WW canoes - that's only
1 psi average pressure. Not as big a deal as you might think.

Contrary to Michaels suggestion, I would still recommend that the
logitudinal runners of the existing stock rack, support the
crossmember
whether 2x4 or 2x6. These longitudinal runners span from one body

Sorry for the confusion, but I didn't mean to not use the
longitudinals.
Rather, don't use the crossbars. They are not strong or stiff.

I know folks who have attaches a 2x4 to the longitudinals running
the length of the vehicle and then 2x4s as crossbars - the whole
thing held in place by bolting to the existing roof rack. Much
stronger than a factory rack.

Mike

Yeah Mike, I think we got it sorted out, and I agree with what you say.
Especially regarding the stock cross bar. They are usually held in by
some plastic parts, and if you pull very hard, the whole cross-bar will
come off. That will give you pause, if you have been lashing your pride
and Joy to it, and driving down the road at 55.

Did you follow my suggestion about using 2x4 runners that would extend
further to the front. Most of the standard rack, are only 4 or 5 ft max
between cross bars. That leaves alot of a 18 ft double or longer,
unsupported.

Frtzw seems to be gitting the hang of this, we will see what he comes
up with. TnT