Posted 2012-08-09 8:08 AM (#146188) Subject: Roof Rack For Trailer
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Hello everyone. I purchased a Titan Renegade III Gooseneck 2 horse slant trailer with a 4' shortwall awhile back. Well, my girlfriend and I are getting ready to go on a trip and for some dang reason it JUST dawned on me that we arnt going to have anywhere to haul hay for the mules. My bed is going to be full of other stuff. So.... I have decided that I better look into other options. I would like to put a roof rack on this trailer to hold some bales of hay.
Just curious if anyone has ever built their own rack? I have been trying to look around at purchasing one, but wow they are expensive, and I honestly can't bring myself to spend that kind of money. So.... I will be looking into building my own I guess.
If anyone has, do you have any plans for what you've done, etc? Pictures of all trailers with racks would be good too so I can get an idea of the size to build it. I would like it to hold 6 bales or so.
Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide me!
Posted 2012-08-09 10:17 AM (#146196 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Something to remember is; 6 bales of hay weigh about 600 lbs. ( at least my bales), so the roof structure will have to be strong enough to support that weight. Also, when fastening, make sure that there is no "oil canning" action from the roof if it is metal. It seems that constructing a frame out of 1" square aluminum tube stock, and cross bracing, then making support legs, and some kind of fastening or through the roof bolting and bracing, would be a LOT of work, you would need to heliarc and cost is probably going to be pretty steep. I doubt wood would hold up for very long from the vibration and weight.ready made is expensive, but the engineering and construction is already done. Just my 2C's
Posted 2012-08-09 10:59 AM (#146200 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The ends of the rack are supported by the side walls of the trailer, not the roof structure. Our bales typically weight 60 -75#. Having enough support for double the total amount would be a good place to start. If you envision the later inclusion of a generator or water tank, you will have to greatly increase your structural requirements.
Unless you have the metal working skills and tools, and can obtain the necesary materials, as was previously stated, you are approaching a difficult task. In addition you will need a ladder; most are fixed and welded to the structures. You may want to consult the talents of a fabrication shop.
As is with many projects, there are several ways to build the framework, using various materials and dimensions and welding techniques. I would greatly suggest you look around and find an example that you think would best suit your needs. Photograph it in detail and take a multiitude of measurements. You may be surprised at how much material, it takes to build a fairly simple platform. By copying an existing example that has worked well, the engineering part of the project is greatly reduced.
It has to be sturdily constructed. If it fails and dumps hay bales on a car, any injuries or damage that results is your nickel. In the past forums there have been postings of rack systems that can be customised to various applications. They haven't been posted in quite a while, but you may be able to Google them.
Posted 2012-08-09 11:45 AM (#146201 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Well, I have a fabrication shop on my property. I have a AC/DC Stick welder, a millermatic Mig, access to a tig, cutoff saw, etc. I have moreless a unlimited supply of steel behind my shop thats been saved over the years. It would more than likely be constructed out out of 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" square tubing. I have bolt bins full of stock that would put most hardware/supply stores to shame. So... its safe to say I have PLENTY of material/supplies to achieve this. I am by far very skilled when it comes to fabrication.
I guess the purpose of this post was to see if others on here have "made" there own and to see what they have done. I can duplicate just about anything. I just wanted to see some ideas.
Posted 2012-08-09 12:23 PM (#146202 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
you might as well make it big enough for a water tank and maybe build an enclosed storage areas for high lines, electric fencing and extra tack that you don't use often.don't forget the ladder to get up there..
Posted 2012-08-09 4:19 PM (#146213 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Alberta
I've been toying with building a hay rack for years. Fabing the rack is not an issue, my issue is the connection to the trailer. Any thoughts or pictures on that?
Posted 2012-08-09 5:16 PM (#146216 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Regular
Posts: 61 Location: Pueblo, CO
Just a thought, I was thinking it would be slick if the sides folded flat when you weren't using the rack. It might take too much engineering or be a rattletrap but there would be a aerodynamic advantange, since most people only use the rack occasionally. We had a homemade one on an old trailer we had. It was welded cattle panels and 3/4" or 1" tubing fastened through the fiberglass roof to the roof supports. It held up for the 12 years we had the trailer only using it a handful of times.
Posted 2012-08-09 8:14 PM (#146223 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Veteran
Posts: 259 Location: Topeka Ks
I snapped a few pics of my hay rack for you. When I get to an internet connection I'll upload them . My rack stands off the roof 6" to clear the vents. The front is angled back and sides side are 12" tall. The corners are rolled the same radius of the roof sides. It is bolted to the roof.I owned a Titan and the roof should be plenty strong enough to hold the hay your wanting to haul. I got my hands on an aluminum truck tool box and mounted it up top. Made room in the mangers. Don't forget about a ladder so you can access the roof.
Posted 2012-08-10 10:30 AM (#146240 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Veteran
Posts: 155 Location: North Salem, IN
You might try contacting Titan directly. I had contacted them last year while in the market for a hay rack. Their price was pretty reasonabe for a 5' x 8" aluminum rack. The shipping was the killer with me being in Indiana. They were very helpful and told me their supplier was in Indiana and gave me their contact information. I ended up having to go through a local dealer, as they didn't sell direct to consumers. Regardless, Titan was very helpful, and if you are anywhere close to them, I would at least give them a call and see what they can do for you.
Posted 2012-08-12 3:30 PM (#146284 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
I really like how yours looks, but yeah.... after seeing the price on it I'm gonna have to go a different route. Hopefully the next trailer we buy will have one already on it. In the meantime, I guess I'm gonna have to try and build one.
Posted 2012-08-12 9:43 PM (#146299 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Regular
Posts: 73
IF I can upload my pictures, this is a hay rack that my husband made, using (I think) 1" square aluminum. He attached it to the structural supports in the sidewall, and the base of the legs rests on the running board. Since the sides aren't closed, I don't think that it impacts our aerodynamics much when it is empty. We haul 2-45 gallon water tanks, and have a deck box permanently mounted there that holds camp stove, stove rack, folding table, chairs, and EZ Up awning. Hubby is asleep, but if you are interested in the details, i.e., the spacing of the aluminum bars, etc, let me know and I'll ask him tomorrow.
Posted 2012-08-16 4:55 AM (#146384 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Member
Posts: 20
a trailer is ace as a result of you'll be able to draw and move for the weekend/week ... however if you're motion on ferries / monetary unit tunnel you may pay further for the trailer.i have a maggiolina on my rack, up high has it's advantages and therefore the tent is up and down in an exceedingly New York minutei guess it extremely depends on what proportion you wish to take a position in tenting ... obtain the most effective and you may forever have folks desperate to obtain good quality kit
Posted 2012-08-16 10:22 AM (#146393 - in reply to #146384) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Alberta
Originally written by laira on 2012-08-16 3:55 AM
a trailer is ace as a result of you'll be able to draw and move for the weekend/week ... however if you're motion on ferries / monetary unit tunnel you may pay further for the trailer.i have a maggiolina on my rack, up high has it's advantages and therefore the tent is up and down in an exceedingly New York minutei guess it extremely depends on what proportion you wish to take a position in tenting ... obtain the most effective and you may forever have folks desperate to obtain good quality kit
Posted 2012-08-16 10:59 AM (#146395 - in reply to #146393) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by riddenhardputawaywet on 2012-08-16 10:22 AM
Originally written by laira on 2012-08-16 3:55 AM
a trailer is ace as a result of you'll be able to draw and move for the weekend/week ... however if you're motion on ferries / monetary unit tunnel you may pay further for the trailer.i have a maggiolina on my rack, up high has it's advantages and therefore the tent is up and down in an exceedingly New York minutei guess it extremely depends on what proportion you wish to take a position in tenting ... obtain the most effective and you may forever have folks desperate to obtain good quality kit
Posted 2012-08-25 5:52 AM (#146586 - in reply to #146188) Subject: RE: Roof Rack For Trailer
Member
Posts: 20
A trailer is great in that it enables you to set up camp and leave the vehicle free for exploring, carry more creature comforts and keep the towing vehicle relatively clutter free for passengers. On the other hand, they can reduce your cruising speed on motorways, slightly reduce manoeuvrability and can be a liability if entering the seriously rough stuff.
Roof Rack For Trailer
I bought it from Trisa at Transwest in KC it is made by Cimerron. Ships flat. It was not cheap.
