Motor home roof bars

[Canoe-Cowal]

I have a Bessacarr motor home and have been trying to source roof bars so I can carry our 2 kayaks and a top box. I have PM'd a couple of people so thanks for the replies.

We intend to fit a rear ladder to access roof and to fit a roof rack to fit box and four kariteck J Bars for the kayaks. There is no natural place to mount a roof rack like gutters or sunk in retaining nuts, and we are a bit wary of drilling into the roof esp when we will have 2 kayaks 22-30 kgs + roof bars, roof box with BAs and other kayak bits ie paddles etc in. this weight all adds up. Then of course there will be me or my partner up there tying them on.

Is there any propriety manufacturers supplying these. Has any one used the corner of the roof and wall or is it a drill into the roof?

All advice information would help the decision process. Motor home dealers all seem to be down south in the midlands. We have contacted Swift and await a reply from them. If there is a kayaker at Swift then please feel free to reply on this forum or any other Motor home manufacturer.

Thanks in advance

J

[wave skier]

I have a swift Royale 630 which is similar to a Bessacar. Swift gave me the name of a company which provided them with the bars on the roof. I gave them the size and they made a set for me. A few years ago so don't have their details but I'm sure Swift will help.

[jamesl2play]

Fiamma do them including the ladder. This is my daughters motorhome with her double on it.

She has to use a tie down and I have personally have doubts about the fixings into the roof. There has also been talk about having to have a plate to walk on. Having said that it has all worked fine for the past two years (touch wood).

[joyjohn]

Our Swift has fiamma bars which are fitted almost flush witht he roof and bolted into the structure of the van.
The issue with this layout is that you need to have the kayaks on their sides (J bars) so as to clear the bump in the roof over the cab bed.
How do you lift your kayaks onto the roof? Anyone got any gadgets?

[MikeB]

The Karitek system is one answer - the other involves a roller at the rear, and feed the boats up and on, possibly using a ladder.

[andreadawn]

How do you lift your kayaks onto the roof? Anyone got any gadgets?

My gadget is an old cushion. The roof bars are Fiamma ones. Originally I asked the dealer to fit my bars right up to the rear end of the roof so I could use the bars to slide the boat up over, but the rearmost roof panel is hollow so I couldn't have that arrangement. Instead I tuck the cushion under the rear bar so it just overhangs the back of the van. It is then possible to just slide the boat up over the cushion. My van is not too high which makes things rather easier. I use a portable ladder rather than a fixed one for tying on. It has a block a wood covered in foam attatched to the top so I can just lean it against the van wherever needed. When travelling the ladder lives on the floor inside the van; at night it lives underneath.



Andrea Collins

[Canoe-Cowal]

The Karitek system is one answer - the other involves a roller at the rear, and feed the boats up and on, possibly using a ladder.

What I have seen is a 1/16th of a circle ish, there or there abouts with about 6-8 rollers on it mounted at the rear of the actual roof rack. Lifting was done by either rope standing on rear of motorhome roof, or as Mike said using the ladder. I dont fancy that method incase I or the kayak slips as I will only have on hand for a support on ladder and having to hop up ladder with hand in a kind of fashion. The roller thingy was used by a motorhome in Tobermory Mull last year [West Highland Week] when we there. If you are on this site please comment on device you were using.

I got a reply from a Motor home dealer in Carstairs [Andrea I will PM you number as he seems quite reasonable with costs for MH parts] and what hey need to do for back for the ladders is to get a map [construction plan of the internal cross member supports type of x-ray] of internal frame from the actual builder [Swift]. this is done by giving them our chasis number and they will provide this. The ladder supports are adjusted to be mounted on the cross memebers.

The roof bars are mounted on the main support bars runing along the edge, with rubber supports on the Thule/Fiamma cross members. Seemingly using special screws and sealant. [its any water penetration I am worried about]

Nova Leisure have Fiamma products that are shown on James post and possibly the company Waveskier talks of, Joyjohn makes a good point re the upper bunk. It does not look a problem on james post Van at the rear as that seams to be sitting on its hull.

Regards J

[JohnGreenview]

I am thinking of carrying my tiderace explore on my motorhome roof. I already have a fiamma roofrack at the rear but need a roofbar at the front. The problem is the roofbar fiamma supply is not as raised as their roofrack (putting the kayak at a dip) and I have a slight raise at the front (autotrail). Thule (whom I prefer) don't seem to do fittings for motorhome roofs. Any (cheap) suggestions.

Anyone use a winch?

How easy is it to open skylights with kayak(s) on top?

How does the wind affect the van with kayaks on top?

[jamesl2play]

I bought a roller from Halfords and bolted it to the top of the ladder using parts from and old roof rack.
I just stand on the roof and pull the boat up and over using a sling and crab clipped through the deck lines It works a treat.
The Cetus fits perfect on top of the Kon Tiki I reckon Swift and P&H must talk to each other.
I am reluctant to use J bars, the additional height and wind loading must be quite significant. I repeat what I said earlier about tie downs.
I cannot open the sky light when the boat is on the roof, but that is no big deal for me.

[joyjohn]

I bought a roller from Halfords and bolted it to the top of the ladder using parts from and old roof rack.
I just stand on the roof and pull the boat up and over using a sling and crab clipped through the deck lines It works a treat.
The Cetus fits perfect on top of the Kon Tiki I reckon Swift and P&H must talk to each other.
I am reluctant to use J bars, the additional height and wind loading must be quite significant. I repeat what I said earlier about tie downs.
I cannot open the sky light when the boat is on the roof, but that is no big deal for me.

Thanks Jamesl2play
I have been trying to find a way of engineering one of these without realising that Halford actually sell them - my local branch just scratched their heads when I asked.