ARB, Flatdog or AN other roof rack

[Macp]

So swmbo and I have decided on a full length roof rack for many reasons which i wont bore you with. We like the ARB rack because it seems very low profile with its solid non modular construction. Believing that its better this way than having it bolted together and then the nuts & bolts rusting. Faulty logic ?

We also like that the awning can be bolted to the rack and easily removed. Only problem with ARB is there doesnt seem to be any availability in the UK. But having done a wee bit of research we think the Flatdog rack is also a one piece base unit. And you can also mount the awning to it.

I would be interested in thoughts, comments, experiences. Or if there are other brands we should be considering.

 

[Green Giant]

Have you watched Urban ark overland, aYouTube guy, I think he had an ARB roof rack from Truckman, might be a discount link too? it does look like good kit, I’ve got the ARB shower room, well made,
Opps just remembered he has the new Transporter/ford van

 

[Macp]

Have you watched Urban ark overland, aYouTube guy, I think he had an ARB roof rack from Truckman, might be a discount link too? it does look like good kit, I’ve got the ARB shower room, well made,
Opps just remembered he has the new Transporter/ford van

Cheers buddy yes it was that vid that started the looking into a rack. I got a price from Truckman of just over £1700 fitted for the base rack. But no availability in the UK

 

[temeraire]

Have just gone through the same thought process as you and am looking for more info on the flatdog rack. Will be interested to see what people come back with. ARB is nice stuff but too pricey for me.

 

[Macp]

Have just gone through the same thought process as you and am looking for more info on the flatdog rack. Will be interested to see what people come back with. ARB is nice stuff but too pricey for me.

I’m hoping to gain more info at the upcoming shows, but flatdog is looking good so far. I will share what if anything I find out. It’s seems odd that they like others don’t strongly promote their racks for the transporter.

 

[temeraire]

I sent an email to Ben at Flatdog asking the following:

- How much height does the roof rack add to a T6?
- Do you have specific dimensions for the rack (specifically I would like to know the width of the cross bars and the spacing between them)
- Is it possible to lock the rack to the roof to frustrate removal by thieves? e.g. blocking access to the bolts that secure it to the roof?

and the answers were:

So from the point on the roof where the fixings are , the rack adds 120mm

The actual cross bar width is 90mm and the spacings between them are 110mm

You can absolutey secure the rack using our security fixings: fd rax > security fixings Flatdog UK and you can cover the fixings to the roof to stop the rails being taken along with the rest of the rack.

So on my van it should just squeeze under a 2.1m barrier still but probably a bit tight. I think I can live with not going places that are that low though. I think I've decided to go ahead with it.

 

[PhillH]

Have a look at the front runner roof racks, they do some nice accessories to fit on the roof racks too

 

[ChestnutBrown]

Front Runner do a Slimsport rack too, which sits close to the roof of clearance is a consideration. I am still hankering after one too tbh, but git priorities before the rack presently.

 

[Macp]

I forgot about this thread, thanks to all who posted. I thought I should update. Feel free to ask questions, and I will help if I can. So we got the Flatdog rack fitted at their premises, and we are really pleased with it and how the ARB awning mounts to it. Oh and the post on the floor wasnt me. The idiots decided to fit it to keep vehicles off the grass, but delivery drivers keep hitting it.

 

[Green Giant]

That looks great, yes the ARB kit is well made, I’ve got the ARB shower cubicle,

 

[Macp]

Did a test run in a friends field to check all was good. This ARB stuff is really good.

 

[LackenbyH]

Did a test run in a friends field to check all was good. This ARB stuff is really good.

View attachment 320362

It is, we had that set up on our T25 Westfalia for a couple of years - recently sold it with the van and consolidated the Westy and the family estate to a Caravelle (time will tell if this was a good idea as we went all over Europe in the Westy faultlessly!).
We loved the ARB awning and had the same set up that you have, but as a heads up, if rain is forecast, make sure you drop one of the outer corners (goes without saying), but if it's heavy rain we found it not the most waterproof of things - designed more for the outback than European weather - despite dropping corners for run off, on more than one ocassion we had pools of water in the corners and after a downpour in Denmark I was bailing out what felt like a paddling pool on all sides!

 

[Macp]

Noted with thanks.

 

[temeraire]

@Macp I also went with the flatdog, fitted by them in under an hour. Also very happy with it and my solar panels fitted perfectly, with room for the top box as well.