Anybody ever mount a roof rack to their RV?

[J05H]

I have a 2020 Redhawk 31F and been thinking it would be nice to use my Yakima roof box for additional storage. I was wondering if anybody has mounted a roof rack or used a roof box on top their RV. I am still young and agile enough to climb up and down a ladder so don’t worry about that part, and I am aware this might raise my vehicle height. Just wondering about actually experience, type of rack used, etc.

Thanks.

[Radar57]

13' 6" is the max height. If you mount the box to the top of the camper would it exceed 13' 6"? If it does then that would be a problem. If it doesn't then you probably could If you make sure you mount to structure. The next question would be how how weight are you going to put in it. I can't comment on experience.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by J05H

I have a 2020 Redhawk 31F and been thinking it would be nice to use my Yakima roof box for additional storage. I was wondering if anybody has mounted a roof rack or used a roof box on top their RV. I am still young and agile enough to climb up and down a ladder so don’t worry about that part, and I am aware this might raise my vehicle height. Just wondering about actually experience, type of rack used, etc.

Thanks.

I think you are asking for height, leaks, wind damage and who knows what else.

[J05H]

Thanks for the replies. I’m not worried about the height difference, or weight. I’m just wondering which rack and crossmembers people are using. I’ve seen the Maggie Racks but not sure if these are the best to use for rvs.

[Randel J]

Maybe it's just me, but I would never mount anything to the roof of my trailer. You say that height is not an issue, but I don't see how that's possible. You never know when you'll come across a low clearance obstruction. And creating even more entry points for water intrusion is not a good idea by my way of thinking. No matter how much Eternabond you use.

Couldn't you go with a bumper mount for the additional storage box?

[J05H]

How did I know I would only receive criticism from those that have no experience doing this type of thing. My roof box is the same height as the a/c, so it would only raise the height by whatever the height of the rack is, but as I mentioned in the first post, I’m not asking for opinions, just real experience. Also Randall, have you been on your roof to see how much is already up there? Four more mounts is not going to concern me. My solar panel has that many.

As far as my hitch, I use it for my bikes, otherwise that’s a good suggestion.

Thanks

[Onyrlef]

Originally Posted by J05H

How did I know I would only receive criticism from those that have no experience doing this type of thing. My roof box is the same height as the a/c, so it would only raise the height by whatever the height of the rack is, but as I mentioned in the first post, I’m not asking for opinions, just real experience. Also Randall, have you been on your roof to see how much is already up there? Four more mounts is not going to concern me. My solar panel has that many.

As far as my hitch, I use it for my bikes, otherwise that’s a good suggestion.

Thanks

I mounted a rack to the roof of my Trailmanor, just keep in mind all those other things mounted on the roof weren't installed by highly trained NASA engineers using ultra secret materials and techniques, nor do you need a dispensation from the Pope. That A/C, Vent, Antennae, etc. on your RV roof were installed by assembly line workers using the same materials you can buy and with the same walking around sense you have. Just make sure it's solidly atttached and sealed up like you would if you added a roof vent or anything else up there. Go for it. ( For what it's worth, the gatekeepers on the TM forum warned me it would negatively effect tongue weight, induce sway and leak, as well as possibly cause the earth to tilt off it's axis, none of that happened).

[Scott]

I installed a bike rack on my popup many years ago. It had rails built for the purpose from the factory that I connected too, so no holes were drilled. I made sure it was between the axle and tongue as weight was my only concern. I also made sure I did not exceed the popups roof weight limit. Height was not an issue.

I know it's a totally different situation from yours, but it can be done. I'm just not sure I would want to do it on a full height RV. If height and weight are not an issue, and you are not concerned about extra holes in your roof, then I think you've answered your own question. Personally, I think it would be a real pain getting cargo up and down from that height. What do you plan to keep in the storage pod that would be easy enough to get up on the roof?