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pom



Member Since: 01 Jun 2010
Location: Worcester
Posts: 1343

Max roof loading ?
What is the max for a 90 hardtop, looking at tents and such and not sure how much is safe.

Pom
Post #87644 4th Sep 2011 8:42pm
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110SEB



Member Since: 29 Jan 2009
Location: Essex, England
Posts: 1444

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Dunno the number you're after but loads. More than LR say anyway. Most racks make a massive dent in the LR figure.

Vehicle imbalance is the dodgy ground.
Post #87652 4th Sep 2011 9:33pm
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8581

United Kingdom 
There are two figures generally bandied around. 75 and 150kg The higher figure is normally ROW whereas lower figure is Europe! Also understand Pumas are 150kg.

Remember these figures are 'dynamic' figures and are LR figures for not affecting road handling abilities.

However have a look at utility company wagons and they routinely carry much higher loads. However they normally have extra front braces for the roof rack either direct to front chassis/bumper or to A pillar at base of windscreen.

With LR stationary it is capable of much higher loads.

Roof tents typically weigh 50-60 kg (Carbon fibre ones can save say 12 kg at an extra cost of £1,00+)

If all you what is to support a roof tent consider roof bars, dependent on type say around 10kg and less then £300. Roof racks can be 30+ kg and from several hundred pounds upwards of a grand

Brendan
Post #87657 4th Sep 2011 9:46pm
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Steve B



Member Since: 22 May 2009
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 586

United Kingdom 2000 Defender 90 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
Hi,

So what is the limiting factor? Centre of Gravity or The weak roof?

I mounted my roof tent to the roll cage as I think the roof over time may not like the extra weight bolted to it, I know it was probably not necessary but was a nice project.

I have airbags in the rear springs to help the extra weight I have added, probably 75kg. It is noticable but not a problem. Dont think I could say the same for 150 kg!!

Steve 
Post #87678 5th Sep 2011 6:42am
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Zagato
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Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
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leeds wrote:
There are two figures generally bandied around. 75 and 150kg The higher figure is normally ROW whereas lower figure is Europe! Also understand Pumas are 150kg.

Brendan


TDCi Manual says 150KG (330Ib) as you say Brendan - doesn't leave a lot once you have fitted a roof rack but we all know they will take a lot more. I can't find it at the moment in any of my Series brochures but I am sure the old loading rate was 75KG - will check further, it's still the same roof Shocked
Post #87681 5th Sep 2011 7:06am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
That limit won't be dictated by the strength of the roof. It's more likely to be determined by a risk assessment of the effects on handling and the likelyhood of legal consequences, hence the different figures for essentially identical domestic and ROW vehicles. Perhaps Land Rover have realised how daft that actually was, which is why later vehicles have a higher rating.

It's safe to say that the actual limit is much higher - open any LR magazine to see pictures of expedition vehicles operating successfully all over the world - but as ever the sticking point is liability in the event that something goes wrong. If you were to have an accident where it was shown that the roof was loaded beyond manufacturers limits, then I'm sure a suitably worded offence awaits. Insurers are also likely to take a dim view. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #87692 5th Sep 2011 7:46am
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8581

United Kingdom 
Steve, the limiting factor would depend where you are driving.

LR are probably being conservative on their figures.

Their main concern is probably road handling with heavily laden roofs going at speeds around roundabouts/tight bends

CoG affects side slope ability, along with speed/hitting pothole/tree stump etc

Weak roof? Roof rack say 30-40 kg, roof tent 50-60 kg is fine on road. Add 2 people say 150-200 kg when static means roof is capable of 300+kg when stationary

Roof tent on roll cage transfers weight straight onto chassis


Brendan
Post #87695 5th Sep 2011 8:01am
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pom



Member Since: 01 Jun 2010
Location: Worcester
Posts: 1343

reason for asking was I am looking at the family version of the hannibal roof tent. So potentially 2 adults a couple of teenagers on the roof. Ive had a fair bit of kit on top to be honest plus a couple of blokes on it (working on a single story roof using the roof as a work platform).

Pom
Post #87698 5th Sep 2011 8:14am
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5035

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
Roof tents and people fine like you describe at night (static vehicle fine)

But something that always bothers me, there really isnt anything to the defender - most cars have much stronger Pillars than a defender...there is almost nothing at B and C positions! Mike
Post #87799 5th Sep 2011 6:51pm
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
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United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
Evidence suggests some people never read the handbook & overload them regularly:


Post #369712 5th Nov 2014 12:46pm
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timbar



Member Since: 30 Jul 2013
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 245

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Is that second image of an Aro, from Romania? 2009 110 XS Station Wagon
Post #369720 5th Nov 2014 1:23pm
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
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United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
the hardtop has funny window positions but I thought it was a Series LR...
Post #369725 5th Nov 2014 1:30pm
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tookaphotoof



Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
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Netherlands 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Defender on the first photo bends more than the iPhone 6!!! Laughing
Post #369736 5th Nov 2014 2:15pm
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SGoggin



Member Since: 04 Jul 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 19

I've seen a nearly new Puma which had a roof rack with some fuel up top, crushed the rear body down onto the chassis. This was due to some corrugated roads and off roading.

I'd never put a normal roof rack on a Defender, there is very little holding the roof up. That thin sheet of alloy that bolts to the rear cross member is one weakness, then at the front that's only held on by self tappers....

If I really wanted one - I'd look at one of those safety devises 6 point external roll cages, and add the roof rack to that.
Post #369879 6th Nov 2014 12:40am
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