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Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:59 pm

Hi, I just obtained a roof luggage rack for my '69 for free (can't complain). I painted it and have it strapped down to the top of my car right now. I was just wondering, what is the weight capacity for the rack/roof?

I know there's a few different styles of roof racks. This one is all metal (aluminum I think; it's real light), no wood slats, and the metal is all tubular. I'm at work now so I can't find a pic, but can take one and upload it if necessary when I get home.

Thanks in advance! 8)

Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:19 pm

does it look like this one:

Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:37 pm

if it is like this one

it can hold up to 120 pounds

Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 pm

I have to conclude that 120 lbs would be the max you would want to put on it.

Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:43 pm

Actully it does not look like either of the two pics above. It kinda looks "beefier." It has more bars (7 horizontal), and the three in the center are spaced farther apart from each other than the bars toward the front and rear of the rack. It also has more short vertical bars between the lower and upper horizontal side bars. I will take a pic tomorrow during the day with my phone; it takes crappy pics at night.
But 120lbs seems like a good maximum amount. I don't imagine I'll ever get that much up there. If I need to haul some serious stuff I will use a truck.

Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:10 pm

I've got one like nodak's and they are the handiest little buggers. Great for moving all kinds of things. Personal bests include two 10 foot willow trees, a recliner, mattress and box spring, 7 foot couch, and lots of lumber.
If it starts vibrating really loud when its unloaded; weave a few bungees into the slats and it'll quiet down.

Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:13 pm

madcow_number_6 wrote: I've got one like nodak's and they are the handiest little buggers. Great for moving all kinds of things. Personal bests include two 10 foot willow trees, a recliner, mattress and box spring, 7 foot couch, and lots of lumber.

^^Nice.
Mine doesn't vibrate at all. It has no slats, just a tubular frame. It just howls a little at highway speeds. I've been thinking it is a custom rack? I've looked through all the aircooled mags I have and can't find one that looks like it, even on cars pictured at GTGs. It looks a lot stronger than most I've seen. Instead of the top part being curved to follow the roofline, it is flat. The four legs have the feet at an angle to fit the contoured rain channel perfectly.

The seven horizontal base bars are close together in the front and rear, and spaced apart toward the center; like so (if you've got a "bird's eye view"):
...........Side..........
Front III I III Rear
...........Side..........

It also has two short vertical bars connecting the lower base side bar to the upper side bar, if you will. And a diagonal bar on each leg going to the lower base side bar.

Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:27 pm

The factory models have a top rating of 110lb. You might want to consider that regardless of the durability of the individual rack.

M

Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:41 pm

If I recall correctly, Thule says the roof rating for the Beetle is 100-150lbs including the weight of the rack. I regularly go WELL over that, with about 200lbs worth of bikes plus the rack.

You feel it when driving, for sure, but I haven't damaged the bug. Obviously one needs to change driving styles when loaded this heavily.

-Dave

Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:34 am

Yeah, and shifting the center of gravity up about a foot and a half! :shock:

M