Posted by Verdi on January 15, 02 at 09:30:44:
I have to transport a heavy duty aluminum ladder (almost as long as the 'burb) on a two hour interstate trip this weekend. I have concerns about using the OEM roof rack, but I really don't want to pay Thule or Yakima yuppie-level prices for their straight bar adapters.
I was going to center the ladder on the two cross-members, use bungee straps at the 4 contact points to keep it in place, then use 2 ratchet tie-downs in front and back going from one side rail, looped through the ladder, and over to the other side rail to secure the whole thing. (Not so tight as to bend my roof!)
My main concern was with the cross-members ripping out if the wind got hold of the ladder. I'm thinking the ratchet straps will keep that from happening. Also, if the ladder is as long as the truck, I'd add an additional ratchet strap from the leading edge to the front bumper.
This sounds like a real simple problem, but I haven't made good use of the racks yet and judging from the various mangled road debris scattered on I-285 I'm guessing others have misjudged what can and can't go on the roof at 70 mph.