I searched through the posts here and couldn't find any on constructing a roof-mounted carrier for an ATV (Honda 400EX, 380 lbs). Has anyone done this, and how did you make it strong enough? I know that weight distribution is critical, but spread over most of the roof, I think it will be fine. Any ideas??
I have extensive woodworking and metal working experience. Just need some ideas. I tend to overbuild everything, but still don't want to create Honda road kill. Before you say it, I know I need a toy hauler or a motor home with a big trailer. In the meantime, I'd still like to create something for the popup.
My pup is a very beefy Starcraft 13RT off-road model. I need to transport two full size quads (one on deck, one on roof) and a little 40cc E-ton for the four-year old. See the link in my signature or profile for my current setup.
If you look at my sig you will see the boat sitting above the roof without contact. I did this by making braces that sit on the frame of the trailer ahead of and behind the body of the unit. If you do this, and adjust the sitting position for WD then I think you will be fine. But I do not think mounting to the roof is advisable.
DW, 2 girls, and me
07 Freestar
76 Parklane Tent Trailer
08 Minn Kota 30 lb Troller
56 Featherlite 10' Cartopper
Nights camped in 2007: 14
Nights camped in 2008: 3 so far
17 years Professional Driving accident free all over North America
Watch overloading the tires, wheels and axles. I used to put 2 17' canoes on a Starcraft PUP until I threw tread on 3 consecutive new tires. The manufacturer replaced the tires but I got tired of changing flats and finding a dealership to replace the tires. I put the boats on a reinforced roof rack on the tow vehicle and never had another problem. This was in the 70's and I still have the same Starcraft. Kids and grandkids now use it.
John
2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40' QSP
2006 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
BlueOx Aventa LX Tow Bar
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Copilot Live Laptop 10 GPS
While "Pavement" is probably right, it isn't advisable to put a quad up on the roof (think stability), you have a much beefier unit than he does, with his boat (which I'm sure weighs much less than the ATV).
The method he used: supports front & back would probably work for you, but you would have to figure a way to park it up top. You may want to do what he did, though go from side to side, with brackets welded in front/back of the wheels (to maximize the load, and have it centered), and then just run tracks across the roof (not touching). That would probably work, and you could probabably even use those alumimum load ramps that you find for loading ATVs in into the back of a pick-up Like these They are 6' long, and a second set could be use to load the ATV. Am I giving you ideas
Send pictures when you get it done!!!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 The Pets
I hate to say it but there isn't a PU roof made that will support 400+ pounds closed. Not to mention the sidewalls aren't that great either. Even running a rack up from the frame with the weight at the extreme ends of the camper would at best create frame racking at those weights.
That's why they came out with entire lines of toy hauler PU's with the large decks.
Agree with Mike, and then some....a lot of OEM PUP roofs have problems after a few years with just a 90# A/C up there----add in off-roading and considering highway stability, and IMO you're asking for trouble.
I proposed a similar frame-mounted rack for boat/motor to a steel fabrication outfit a few years ago---total weight +/-500#. I was told the only safe/solid way was to add a one-piece, continuous-weld, full-length 5/16" plate to the inside, full-length of the frame....and tie in the rack both front and rear similar to Pavement Pilots rig.....only problem was the GVW with load and additional material would have ended up about 25% overload on OEM axle/springs/brakes/wheels/tires, and create a top-heavy control hazard.
They pooh-poohed the side outrigger possibility right off---OEM frame would not support it----doubt yours would fare any better.
Bottom line was, they refused to take the job unless I tied the stand-off rack front and rear as above, and went to a 5,000# suspension and brakes/wheels/tires---BEFORE THEY'D TOUCH IT---that was enough for me to scratch that idea!
J
Looks like you need to go get an E4. It will hold all three ATVs, the ramps are the fences, not two seperate pieces. My E4 tows far better than my E2 (similar to yours).
JCH
New TV: 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, 6.7L Cummins, 6 Speed Auto, No mods yet (but they are coming)
2008 Fleetwood Evolution E-4, Reese Round Bar Weight Distributing Hitch
Me and the Wife: Scuba Dive, Mountain Bike, Kayak, Hike
Two Dogs: Mako and Amber
Ok, sounds like I'm trying build a hammer out of a screwdriver. Thanks for all the suggestions. Will prolly just get a quad cab pickup (family of four + dog) and haul the big quad in the back of the truck.
I voided the warranty on that thing about 90 minutes after I bought it by welding onto the frame...
Offline
