Page 1 of 2
Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:11 pm
by joemac
Hello, I am new here, so sorry it this has been thoroughly covered.
I just bought a 2015 Power Wagon, and traded in a RAM 1500 and heavily modded Jeep Wrangler. I want to build the PW into an expedition style vehicle. I already ordered a hard bed cover, bed slide, steps, light bar, and have lots of stuff I pulled off of my Jeep and 1500 (lights, recovery gear, jerry cans, compressor, SPOD, etc....).
What I need is a good off road rack for my roof top tent. I did see a post on here that asked the same question a while back, and I was wondering if anyone came up with a good solution. I have seen the Thule adjustable height rack, and it is nice, but a rack that can hold gear on the sides/underneath the tent would be better.
I was also wondering if there is a second gas tank option (under bed preferred). I want to increase my range to 500+ miles if possible.
If anyone has a company, or knows a place that makes custom racks, please let me know.
Thanks.
Joe
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:58 pm
by 04Ram2500Hemi
joemac wrote:Hello, I am new here, so sorry it this has been thoroughly covered.
I just bought a 2015 Power Wagon, and traded in a RAM 1500 and heavily modded Jeep Wrangler. I want to build the PW into an expedition style vehicle. I already ordered a hard bed cover, bed slide, steps, light bar, and have lots of stuff I pulled off of my Jeep and 1500 (lights, recovery gear, jerry cans, compressor, SPOD, etc....).
What I need is a good off road rack for my roof top tent. I did see a post on here that asked the same question a while back, and I was wondering if anyone came up with a good solution. I have seen the Thule adjustable height rack, and it is nice, but a rack that can hold gear on the sides/underneath the tent would be better.
I was also wondering if there is a second gas tank option (under bed preferred). I want to increase my range to 500+ miles if possible.
If anyone has a company, or knows a place that makes custom racks, please let me know.
Thanks.
Joe
I think I was the one who came up with the rack idea, and I'm going to look into it more within the next month or so. I'm thinking something along the lines of this sketch but I don't want the toolboxes that are mounted to the sides, and I would do something different than the round lights. I have a hunch my taste is going to be expensive, so it might remain on hold a while longer. I haven't seen anything on an extra fuel tank for a while, but somebody else might know something I don't.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 4:25 pm
by joemac
That would be awesome. Please make the basket modular so you can use a tent and have space for storage. If you remove the boxes, include a way to store stuff in actions packers/rubbermaids/off road boxes/etc...
Expensive is relative. I have seen nice racks like this for Hi-luxs and Tacomas. I had a Wildboar rack on my jeep for $2K+. I still considered it a good buy.
v/r,
Joe
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 12:41 am
by TwinStick
I would love to see this materialize myself. Remove spare from underneath truck, & mount a 30-35 gal aux fuel tank in it's place. Store 2 spares under the bed rack as shown. Not sure how you would mount the rack (as shown) AND a hard bed cover ? I also don't think you really need 5 side/cross bars for a 6'-5" bed. Winch idea would be great for hauling large dead animals into the bed when alone. I LOVE this rack !!! Would be even more awesome if a 5 piece (top, 2 sides, front & rear) HD canvas with S-Steel snaps could be purchased to add some weather protection when needed.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:53 am
by Backwoods
I've been working on a design with a welder to make a rack that works with a trifold tonneau cover (my Extang Solid Fold) on my recently traded GMC Sierra.
We'll adapt the design for the Power Wagon, but it might not be done until May or June. The idea is to make a rack with 3 base plates that run the sides and front of the box, bolted into the frame rails sideways, then verangs the outside of the bed enough to weld a tubular rack similar to what you guys posted above, and still allow the tonneau to clamp down and open up if need be. The problem is that the tonneau is so wide when opening the rack might have to be larger than I would like. The option then being a roll-top tonneau cover or a soft roll up cover, which I would prefer not to do.
My idea is to mount a family size rooftop tent to the rack and carry RotoPax on the sides for water and fuel.
If we get further on the build I'll post pictures. If it doesn't work, I'll still post pictures.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:31 am
by cruz
Backwoods wrote: The option then being a roll-top tonneau cover or a soft roll up cover, which I would prefer not to do.
I think that with just a little engineering, a rack like the one above and a roll-top would be a slick combo ...
http://www.pace-edwards.com/
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 3:29 pm
by Backwoods
I'd ike to be able to put gear on top of the cover (as I do now, both with my Solid Fold and the last couple Diamondbacks I had)
Rolltop and soft covers are not the best options for storing gear, lost of moving parts on rollers and "soft" top on soft covers.
There has to be a way though. Has to be. lol
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:03 pm
by TonkaPW
You want a nice heavy duty role up cover try this one. They also offer a rack system.
http://www.truckcoversusa.com/american-work-cover/
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:37 pm
by Timgco
04Ram2500Hemi wrote:joemac wrote:Hello, I am new here, so sorry it this has been thoroughly covered.
I just bought a 2015 Power Wagon, and traded in a RAM 1500 and heavily modded Jeep Wrangler. I want to build the PW into an expedition style vehicle. I already ordered a hard bed cover, bed slide, steps, light bar, and have lots of stuff I pulled off of my Jeep and 1500 (lights, recovery gear, jerry cans, compressor, SPOD, etc....).
What I need is a good off road rack for my roof top tent. I did see a post on here that asked the same question a while back, and I was wondering if anyone came up with a good solution. I have seen the Thule adjustable height rack, and it is nice, but a rack that can hold gear on the sides/underneath the tent would be better.
I was also wondering if there is a second gas tank option (under bed preferred). I want to increase my range to 500+ miles if possible.
If anyone has a company, or knows a place that makes custom racks, please let me know.
Thanks.
Joe
That rack would sweet!!! Having the tire under the rack makes sense for clearance above and ability to put the RTT up there. I'm not into the toolboxes either, but could see Rotopax on there. It would be nice to see a bed cover work with that rack, but not sure as they both would need to use the bed to clamp to. I'd give up the bed cover and look into waterproof travel bags OR a nice toolbox.
I think I was the one who came up with the rack idea, and I'm going to look into it more within the next month or so. I'm thinking something along the lines of this sketch but I don't want the toolboxes that are mounted to the sides, and I would do something different than the round lights. I have a hunch my taste is going to be expensive, so it might remain on hold a while longer. I haven't seen anything on an extra fuel tank for a while, but somebody else might know something I don't.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:20 pm
by Littlehouse
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 12:26 am
by Backwoods
Yeah. Thats Kevin from HRT Offroad that built my 2010 Megacab.
No doubt he is great at what he does. And he will be the one that does the majority of the work on my PW.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 1:27 pm
by daplague
Joe, it sounds like your build plans are very relevant to my plans for my 2011. Are you planning on doing a build thread?
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:40 pm
by Timgco
Forgot to post. Joe, I have a guy in Denver that does incredible fab work. I'm sure he can make this as he did a tire carrier with winch setup for a 40" tire. He is not cheap by an means. I'm happy to have one or 6 built off of my truck. The hard part will be transportation while it's getting done...at least this time of the year. If we wait until Summer (I can ride my bike), than it's camping season. I'll check with him and see what requirements he has for CAD, timeframe he could start on it, and aprox cost. My initial guess is $2-3K.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 4:31 pm
by BigRed2007
Wow...I have been missing out on this thread....I am/have been looking for a rack for some time as well...I can't see spending over $1000 on one though. I built this for less than $150 and it hasn't failed me yet.
I just sold my RTT so I am thinking about putting a rack on it and mounting the spare spare under it like your sketch...its not the prettiest thing out there but it works.
If you guys find a place that will fab a few up, I am probably in.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:52 am
by Backwoods
I'll be trying to keep the cost don as well, but I think I want too many features on mine to accomplish that.
By the time I run Rotopax mounts on the sides and fit it to a full bed "tray" that still works with my tonneau cover, the welding will cost a bit, especially here in Calgary.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2015 11:28 am
by 06PW
not sure how good this will be for the center of gravity for the truck. I would think an aluminum rack would be ok, but not steel. When you start piling stuff on top of the rack it can make the vehicle act real squirrely offroad, or even on road around curves. No doubt it looks cool though, i have just always been a fan of mounting things lower to the ground.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2015 12:03 pm
by BigRed2007
I understand your concern about raising the center of gravity. I can't say I noticed a difference with my rack and RTT (probably close to 250lbs together) although the only real hard wheeling I have done in the truck has been with it fully loaded (~550-600 lbs of gear, tools, spare parts, fuel and water in the bed or on the rack).
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2015 8:40 pm
by joemac
I like the idea on some these racks. To have a well produced rack I can secure my RTT + my family and some extra storage I would be willing to spend the money. I don't there would be enough weight to seriously effect the Center of Gravity with just the tent/rack/rotopax, and highlift/shovel with an almost 8000 pound vehicle. If anything I think it might help with weight distribution from the front of the truck. I would avoid putting very heavy stuff on the roof however. My goal is to keep everything below the top height of the roof.
If I find a rack, I will do a build thread. I have a good number of boxes building in the garage for a warm couple of days (power steps, bakflip bed cover, bed slide, kc hilites bumper bar and lights, arb air compressor, cb, SPOD/switches). I amhoping the snow stops soon....... I might get the bed cover and bed slide on this week end.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2015 8:45 pm
by joemac
I like the idea on some these racks. To have a well produced rack I can secure my RTT + my family and some extra storage I would be willing to spend the money. I don't there would be enough weight to seriously effect the Center of Gravity with just the tent/rack/rotopax, and highlift/shovel with an almost 8000 pound vehicle. If anything I think it might help with weight distribution from the front of the truck. I would avoid putting very heavy stuff on the roof however. My goal is to keep everything below the top height of the roof.
If I find a rack, I will do a build thread. I have a good number of boxes building in the garage for a warm couple of days (power steps, bakflip bed cover, bed slide, kc hilites bumper bar and lights, arb air compressor, cb, SPOD/switches). I amhoping the snow stops soon....... I might get the bed cover and bed slide on this week end.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:48 pm
by Backwoods
Well after hunting and searching and talking to welders, I am going to try something bolt on.
I have order a set of Summit Rack stainless "gutter mount tabs" for my PW. They work underneath the tonneau cover and clamp on the bed, creating rain gutter style mounts for Thule or Yakima rain gutter towers.
I've got gutter towers and crossbars ordered up and a Yakima MegaWarrior basket. I'll get my Rotopax and my recovery Pelican on there and get pictures up in the nest week or so if I get it done. A RTT could be mounted as well and sit well below the top of the cab.
There is also no need to use a tonneau cover, but I like one to keep gear dry at work. Anyway, we'll see how it goes.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:36 pm
by joemac
I would like to see your set up. I have been adding to my Wagon over the past week. I added a Bakflip bed cover, Bedslide, KC light rack / lights for the front grill, Power Wagon chrome emblem to the tailgate, had the windows tinted, dry highflow air filter, and Sunday I should be able to install AMP Power Steps. I also have a Bakflip truck box (goes under the bed cover) and Dee Zee tailgate assist on the way. I really want to add my RTT though. I have been looking at Yakima track racks and some others for ideas...... I might look at for cross bars on one of the track systems.
I still have to add my ARB compressor, but I am looking for a good protected location under the truck, or under the hood. I also want to add my sPOD from my Jeep, but the mount is not made for the truck....
I like this forum it has lots of great ideas........ I just need time and money
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:39 pm
by joemac
I would like to see your set up. I have been adding to my Wagon over the past week. I added a Bakflip bed cover, Bedslide, KC light rack / lights for the front grill, Power Wagon chrome emblem to the tailgate, had the windows tinted, dry highflow air filter, and Sunday I should be able to install AMP Power Steps. I also have a Bakflip truck box (goes under the bed cover) and Dee Zee tailgate assist on the way. I really want to add my RTT though. I have been looking at Yakima track racks and some others for ideas...... I might look at for cross bars on one of the track systems.
I still have to add my ARB compressor, but I am looking for a good protected location under the truck, or under the hood. I also want to add my sPOD from my Jeep, but the mount is not made for the truck....
I like this forum it has lots of great ideas........ I just need time and money
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:06 pm
by BigRed2007
I originally had an off the shelf inno rack system across the bed. While it was rated to 300 lbs, I didn't like the way it flexed so much under the weight of just the RTT. That's why I went with the unistrut homemade rack. YMMV.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:23 pm
by Ducky's Dad
I looked long and hard for an aux gas tank for my 3G, and found nothing. You will probably need to carry the gas in jerry cans or rotopaks on the rack.
Re: Off Road Rack for new power wagon
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:29 pm
by BigRed2007