Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop

[noelleon]

So after using our NAHT for about a year and half now...I'm looking to add a rack system. I wanted it to be aluminum, lightweight, modular, and to increase the available solar area up top (also deleted and replacing the fan up there).
So this is what I've got so far! Curious as to feedback (NAHT owners as well!)
Right now the unit calculates out at under 20lbs (unloaded of course).

Rear unit:

Front:

Joined:

[Red Beard]

WANT! Let me know if you want to make two of them

I really like the idea of a lightweight, form fitted rack.

[noelleon]

[dsdunbar]

The non-structural engineer in me asks:
How thick? is it tubular or just solid pieces of Aluminum?

The sketches look awesome...but structurally, how are you determining load capacity etc?

[noelleon]

[h00drat]

Bitchin design. Following just so I can see what comes of this. I wish I had a NAHT just so I could have you build me a rack
_________________
<<Tyler>>
1987.5 Wolfsburg Weekender / CHC / 2.0 ABA
CHC Top Thread
Engine Conversion Thread (2.0 ABA Swap)
ABA Swap - Image Gallery
Auto Trans Rebuild - Image Gallery

[TequilaSunSet]

Me like... I like the rear one, even if I didn't ever use it, just looks damn cool to me
_________________
Don't harsh my mellow...
1985 Hightower Vanagon 1.8T- Gone
1972 Panel Bus- Gone
1967 Bug- Gone
1964 Euro Sunroof Bug- Gone
1969/72/63 Sunroof Bug- Gone
1975 Brazilian Bug in the Philippines 🇵🇭- New to me

[tates1882]

I don't like it, Aesthetically I'm not one for a bunch of racking. Also the center of gravity would increase quite a bit, especially with liquid sloshing around in the cans. The roof gutters may also be stressed especially if the naht installer butchered the roof up. My van a 2.2 subie with 225/55 tires would not be able to run in 4th gear with that much more drag and any kind of headwind, it struggles now with just the naht and awning. Every time I see a westy or naht with swing aways, bikes, roof racks and hitch platforms I wonder just how far over the gvw they are or just how pitiful is their fuel mileage. Just my two cents.
_________________
88 Vanaru, ej22, naht

[tosimplify]

Points for the cool factor alone, but...If your main reason for doing this is to increase solar capacity, consider flexible panels instead, secured to the top with 3M Dual Lock. I managed to fit 255 watts on my hightop using just the middle and rear sections, and it's held up great during the past year+ of full time travel. I'll be adding another 100 watts to the forward section soon, using the same method.

Having said that, I do like your idea of a rack that would allow one to mount stuff to the rear of the top. Never been a fan of how that bare wall looks.

[IdahoDoug]

It would be useful to cut cleat-like shapes here n there along edges since your jetting it. Those could then be bent up at 45 deg and provide stout tie downs. Or loop shapes. It might also be useful to make provision for people to bolt on existing gear carriers such as having false rain gutters up the sloped back to secure an everyday bike or ski carrier. And perhaps holes drilled along edges likely to be used to secure obvious wire runs up to solar or the light bars you mocked up. Heck, how about half moon cutouts where you'd lay a ladder to climb up for best 4th of July viewing. Dang, possibilities are endless! Bravo.
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[jimf909]

Can you point me to the source of your panels? I'm particularly interested in the one on the rear deck. I'd really like to find modular panels in strips two cells wide to install around my Fantastic fan on the top of the roof.

Thanks.

[jimf909]

[noelleon]

[Type17]

Very cool idea, I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
_________________
I don't check these forums daily and often loose track of threads and comments. Please PM me a reminder if you're waiting on a reply. Thanks!

[chachi]

love it, best design for a NAHT rack yet. i especially love that you could just have the front or back racks.
_________________
'74 transporter panel
'91 vanagon carat NAHT

[tosimplify]

[Aryana]

Ok, I'm subscribed! Interesting design and looking forward to seeing pics of it in the flesh.

[Zeitgeist 13]

That rack appears to make the NAHT design much more palatable from an aesthetic perspective and adds functional load bearing and attachment points to the top. That's a solid conceptual approach and I can't wait to see a working prototype.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[bivouac]

I've been wanting something like this for my '87 NAHT Syncro, make it!
_________________
'87 Syncro NAHT Camper EJ25
‘84 Westfalia 1.9
'90 Multivan EJ22

[chachi]