[webcat]

210 # plus a little bit of equipment , it will hold that but i would'nt push it any further !
After you get up there dont go doing jumping jacks or anything

 

[toddb]

I'm pretty sure the roof will take your weight ( don't have anyone else up there with you thou). The factory roof racks - good luck with that. You better nut and bolt or screw something more substainstal up there ( perhaps 2 inch square tubing).

 

[webcat]

what are you gonna use as a floor?

 

[webcat]

Yea thats what i was thinking , a peice of plywood ( They have that wood thats been psi treated for the outdoors !
your stock roof mount would do the job but they have them racks contractors use , they would probally hold more weight!

 

[toddb]

your stock roof mount would do the job

Well some one thinks that the stock unit will hold you. At 210 you ain't some small dude. Look for youself (give a good shake) and think - Do I care if I dent the roof?

 

[webcat]

I crawled around on my roof all the time at 180# , the center is kinda week but along the edges where the roof mount is mounted to the roof is very strong !! It will hold you!

 

[webcat]

It looks like it would be hard to mount plywood to the stock roof mount because it has a curve to it!
You would be better off getting a new roof mount !

 

[$uperJoe]

i dont have an argument either way if it will or no. if you spread the weight out you can put another van on it like they do in the junk yards with the forklift. if its focused a small child will dent it.

on the platform idea what about something that will be sturdy and light as well. if you have access to a welder you can make a platform fairly easily. if not look into something that is made already that can be modded easy. maybe on that line half of a futon bed covered with some expanded metal so the foot dont fall through. it would be plenty light and weather proof. also it wouldnt look like boards stacked on the roof all the time.

 

[webcat]

Your gonna need a trampoline so you can get up there too!

 

[tommckay]

After reading, I was thinking you could mount an Off Road Cargo rack like this:

and cover the floor with a sturdy expanded metal or aluminum sheet for a good floor.

As for a ladder, they do make them, but with the dutch doors you would probably have to mount it to the side of the van

So I would suggest a cheap foldaway ladder like the one found here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Multi-Purpose-Aluminum-Folding-Ladder_W0QQitemZ290252881316QQcmdZViewItem

Hope that gives you more ideas.

BTW.... Welcome to Michigan! (When you get here. lol!)

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Could he convert over to cargo doors then install a ladder? :banana:

I just saw a early '90s Astro with a ladder on the back of it. It was just a regular passenger Van....not sure what they were using the ladder for.

 

[rev_les]

that rack is sweet, and looks like it would fit what you're looking for

 

[red95astro]

I've read somewhere that the stock roof rack is rated to hold about 200lbs of cargo. So if you use plywood to help distribute your weight, I'm thinkin you should be fine.

 

[Matrixx]

Yes, the luggage rack is rated at 200 lbs.

If you plan on doing this, then why not just have an (aluminum) portable hook ladder made up. Just hook the top of the ladder to the rack (your display picture) and have the bottom cushioned (rubber) and rest that on the bumper with a wide bottom piece to disperse your weight. This way you can just throw it back inside the van when you travel. Just a comment and thought.

 

[webcat]

So if its rated at 200#

you wiegh 210
4' x 4' x 1" plywood weighs 10#
mounting hardware # ?
camera + tripod #?
adds up quick!

I realize when they rated it they probally underrated for safety reasons , so it probally will hold more then they say it will but i went out and looked at mine and at 210 i would say you'd be pushin it , its pretty strong and it would hold you ( in my opinion the roof rack will barely hold you and the roof would hold you easy ) but there some plastic trim on it that i could see possibly breaking

 

[webcat]

I'm pretty sure the roof will take your weight ( don't have anyone else up there with you thou). The factory roof racks - good luck with that. You better nut and bolt or screw something more substainstal up there ( perhaps 2 inch square tubing).

Yea that 2 inch square tubing might be a good idea , you might be alright without it but the roof rack has some slight flex under psi that could eventually over time cause your rack to break !

 

[webcat]

I imagine the worst that could happen is your roof rack breaks , if it breaks you'll know thats not the one for you and you can go buy a stronger one , if it dont break , you'll save some money by not having to go out and buy one

 

[astronewbie]

If you spread the weight out a little past the stock rack you will be fine. i have been living out of mine while traveling thru Mexico and Canada (mostly dirt roads) with the bottom section of a set of bunk beds attached to the stock rack.With my tricycle and gear and me on the bike we weighed #460 lbs without water.I have most of it up there but have added another bike and 4 jerry cans.When i am loading it since i don't yet have a ladder i have to walk around up there also. I am #224. After about 15,000 hard rough miles the only damage is the rust where the feet of the bed sit on the roof. And of course the peeling factory GM paint.

 

[Lazyjay]

I believe the stock roof rails are rated at < 200lbs. However, the BajaRack rates their rack at 400 lbs. I think most roof racks are rated at 300 lbs.

 

[astroturf]

I believe the stock roof rails are rated at < 200lbs. However, the BajaRack rates their rack at 400 lbs. I think most roof racks are rated at 300 lbs.

I've got a couple different thoughts on this.

First would be my own. I just removed my roof rack. I weigh in at about 250, and I would not trust for my kids to stand on the rack.

Then their is Thought Number 2: viewtopic.php?f=40&t=6735&start=0 It is a pretty interesting read. I really think he had success because the weight was spread out.

Your results may vary. Keep us posted. Jim