ASD Dad Posted April 21, 2016 OK, so the roof holds 500# (some sites say 750#) for the low roof model. Can you actually walk up there or is that weight rating only if you use a rack mounted to the roof hard mounts? I have 3 kayaks I need to get up there and I think the easiest way is to use a boat roller out back and just go stand on the roof and pull them up there! Just get the nose on to the roller and yank it on up and slide it into the J Hooks. If I can walk up there I was going to put down some protective film or even grip tape to protect the paint. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wallyc Posted April 22, 2016 I'm no expert , however I use the crap out of my roof rack! I don't think I would walk on the roof skin its self ,but with a ladder rack you could bolt a 2x8 walk way on top of the rack and walk it that way. I know the owner of a roofing company who does his fleet like that. He's been doing it that way for years on vans with no ill effects . The only thing is all his vans are the big three . As far as load cap on the roof mine is a low top I've had 4 inch pressure pipe on the roof about 400 ft of pipe . 200 per side. If you don't think that's a lot of weight ask a plumber:-) that's a lot of weight. With no problems . I don't see why your roof with racks won't hold you and three yaks . Hell the rack that came with mine "Adrian steel" the back of the rack has a roller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
axulsuv Posted April 22, 2016 Looking at the roof from the inside on my low roof cargo , I wouldn't walk directly on the roof . Dents and possibly seam splitting ... But i think with a rack and walkway as above you may be ok . The positioning of the rack mounts looks like it would place the load onto the sides of the van . If I were you , I'd go look at a bare bones cargo like mine so you can get a better mental picture of how the roof is made and supported. Bring a camera , notepad and a tape measure with you for reference ... And I think your creative enough to pull it off with a little deep thought ... Maybe a aluminum loading ramp for a walkway with some floating supports to the cross beams ??? Close your eyes and you'll see it ...!!!! Glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASD Dad Posted April 22, 2016 Thanks guys. I had a feeling it was only for the rack and not the actual roof. I am used to walking on the roof of our camper and even then I try and only walk where I can see the cross beams even though the whole roof can support me easily. The roof rack I was looking at was a simple cross bar rack (Vantech H3). I would need to mount 2 J Hook carriers, one flat carrier and also be able to put something down across the bars to walk. I think that idea is now out! I also looked at more of a basket style rack like the Topper contractors rack. That would be much easier to rig something to walk on but wife hates that galvanized steel look up there. They make kayak load assist devices, one of which hooks right to the J Hook so it slides right in (Malone is one option). I may just end up going that route to keep it simple. The middle kayak is the lightest so hopefully wont be too difficult to get into the center cradle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wallyc Posted April 23, 2016 These vans are great but rack options right now just plain suck because the body style is so new. My racks from Adrain are ok but the ones I had on my Chevy where awesome. But that style of rain gutter mounts been out for ever. These Adrian's are low profile but the vans so tall. I can load pipe no biggie ,but that third yak in the middle would be a pia a real hair puller without scratching paint Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TX MARSHMALLOW Posted July 13, 2016 I am 220lbs and have walked on the roof of my NV and the two others that we had and I drove at the glass company. Just be careful. Never dented or hurt it all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caryhecker Posted July 13, 2016 I gave my rack info a bunch of times on here...makes it custom and is much cheaper than the one in Cali....anyway, I walk on my roof daily. I am a GC and put a lot of sheetrock on there and have had over 15 kids on it eating pizza at a paintball tourney. Regardless, we normally walk between the aluminum slats and have no issues (don't let the kids wear cleats)! ... I just had two kayaks and two paddleboards up there this week...no issue at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASD Dad Posted July 14, 2016 I have a rack now and so far it is working out OK. Not perfect but I modded it a little to help for what we need. It is the Topper Galvanized steel rack - 12 feet in length and supports 500 lbs. If I add two legs it supports 750 lbs but dont need that much up there! Using it this upcoming week for a camping trip. I'll have 3 kayaks up there. He Cary - how did you mount all 4 to your rack? I have two on J racks on the outside of the rack and one laying down in the middle of mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TX MARSHMALLOW Posted July 14, 2016 I have a rack now and so far it is working out OK. Not perfect but I modded it a little to help for what we need. It is the Topper Galvanized steel rack - 12 feet in length and supports 500 lbs. If I add two legs it supports 750 lbs but dont need that much up there! Using it this upcoming week for a camping trip. I'll have 3 kayaks up there. He Cary - how did you mount all 4 to your rack? I have two on J racks on the outside of the rack and one laying down in the middle of mine.Do you have photos of the Topper rack? I want to order a rack/basket but Aluminess is very proud of their stuff and out of my current budget. lol $350 for a galvanized rack sounds pretty attractive to me but I have only seen stock photos of it on websites. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASD Dad Posted July 14, 2016 (edited) Do you have photos of the Topper rack? I want to order a rack/basket but Aluminess is very proud of their stuff and out of my current budget. lol $350 for a galvanized rack sounds pretty attractive to me but I have only seen stock photos of it on websites. Here you go - http://nissannvforum.com/topic/1007-vantech-h3-roof-rack-solve-my-noise-issue-or-buy-it-from-me/?p=6184 I did some more work to it since then, that was the first day I had it mounted. I extended two bars out on both sides to carry kayaks on J racks. I need to take some pics all mounted up, our kayaks are 3' wide so they stick up about 12' in the air! I can get those pics next week, we're going camping and taking the boats... You can also see my new Hankook AT-M Dynapro tires. Fantastic traction off road. Edited July 14, 2016 by ASD Dad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
