over cab roof rack baskets

[buckland]

Did not know where to post this but as I posted the "New Truck ideas for 2011 Eagle" I find that if I am going to get a diesel Colorado...I have to get the crew cab.... which means I have truck roof space as the camper over cab now only goes half way to windshield. I have seen other FWC baskets somewhere on some posting but could not find a string on them. I have Yakima bars on the camper and like them. I would like to add the basket over the cab in front so I can carry the sand mats or whatever. Suggestions appreciated.

 

[LookyLou]

Don't remember if it was here or on Expo, but a fellow with a RAM crew cab wanted to use the space just as you mentioned. He used two Yakima crossbars and half of a Yakima Megawarrior basket. I've been thinking of doing the same thing but with a Basketcase. Think it's a great idea.

 

[buckland]

Just found out Basketcase is discontinued. Looking for the short one for sure. Expensive to buy a big one to cut in half. Gotta be one out there somewhere 2 ft x 4 ft x 6".

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Just found out Basketcase is discontinued. Looking for the short one for sure. Expensive to buy a big one to cut in half. Gotta be one out there somewhere 2 ft x 4 ft x 6".

Watch craigslist. Use Searchtempest to get all the lists in your general area...

 

[hebegebe]

I picked up a used basket case a couple yrs ago had a local welder section it shorter he did a great job but it cost as much as the basket!


Sent from my iPhone using Wander The West

 

[buckland]

sounds like a plan...I have a welder... tho amateur at it... won't be pretty but that could work

 

[LuckyDan]

Seems that with the woodworking/canoe building skills displayed at your alternate site I'd expect a cedar strip basket with a custom thin cut oak or ash epoxy laminate wind fairing to be in order .

I've considered having one bent up out of aluminum sheet or expanded metal and mounting it to an old gutter mount crossbar set I have to car top a boat or canoe but so far the idea exists only in my head.

Good luck with your decision and approach.

 

[XJINTX]

I too was looking for a basket for some extra space as I have a Hawk on my f250. After a little research my wife and I decided on a receiver mounted cargo tray. However since it would be a pain to remove and add each time we stopped and packed up so we added the http://rakattach.com/ swing away receiver rack. We got the swing out to the left side large model. So we can stop swing it out of the way and access camper. Do not need to unpack until we need something. I went with left swing so it's not in the way of exiting to the awning covered side of out rig

 

[longhorn1]

XJINTX, wish we had gotten a swing out one. I pack things low so that the door can open and set a small piece of plywood on top. We can you the ladder steps as a grab bar and we can get in and out. It is PIA, but we make it work. I bought the Rubbermaid 2 step and parked the heavy hitch step in the garage. I'm watching this post because I like the idea of rack and basket over our F250 crew cab. My hitch basket came with a waterproof bag. The price $150+/- was better than the heavy stow - away plastic ones at $800+/-. Looked at your link on phone and hard to read. Is this like an adaptor that I would use with my existing cargo carrier? What is the price for the large, no pricing on web site? jd

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[ruidososinglespeed]

I use a Rhino-Rack steel mesh platform. They are very low profile and seem to offer the most sizes. I think mine measures 25" x 60"...perfect fit over the cab on some Yakima Crossbars.
http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/roof-trays/steel-mesh-platforms

 

[norcalhawk]

Buckland,

Go to: Gallery, then to Members Gallery, scroll down to "2008 Hawk" by Lighthawk, then to his Archives, then to Camper Mods. There you will find his set up with Yakima Racks/Basketcase on cab install. I'm sure you can contact him for info. I'll do the same setup once I get my new Ram. Presently, my basket is attached to my racks up top. Hope this helps.

Happy trails

 

[buckland]

Bingo... this (Rhinorack) just might be the answer. If I add a (well not a ash basket!....or laminate wood ...though that would look pretty ... )
I was thinking I could haver 2 extended square stock aluminum extending from the over cap onto with this basket is attached...saving to buy into a Yakima bar over cab. This could work and be cheaper. I love this forum ...always a work in process.Gets one thinking.
They purpose of this is to carry the bulky sand mats for getting out of a stuck situation. Only happens on bad days ... so having then there out of the way 99% of the time is good.

 

[buckland]

Thanks to all above that have sent great ideas and alternatives.... I have learnt a lot from folks here and with the patient advice... humor especially ....just hit the joke section ...wow 75 pages of great jokes!!!...okay .... some bad....real bad

 

[takesiteasy]

Bingo... this (Rhinorack) just might be the answer. If I add a (well not a ash basket!....or laminate wood ...though that would look pretty ... )
I was thinking I could haver 2 extended square stock aluminum extending from the over cap onto with this basket is attached...saving to buy into a Yakima bar over cab. This could work and be cheaper. I love this forum ...always a work in process.Gets one thinking.
They purpose of this is to carry the bulky sand mats for getting out of a stuck situation. Only happens on bad days ... so having then there out of the way 99% of the time is good.

Overland Hadley mounted his MaxTrax directly to the underside of the cabover using some aluminum channel. It was a pretty slick solution. He had pics at one point up on ExPo but the pics aren't showing anymore. You could try checking with him for more info.

 

[buckland]

Thanks, at this time I have a cabinet that hold my tripod solar panel and a wind foil under the cabover but if I change that with the new truck I might consider that. OH and BTW great blog spot...great looking dog too. I like your mods and places you have gone. I hope to drive from New England to Alaska in 2017 and would be traveling through that area. Always looking to find good camp spots! Our dog co pilot passed away last year and we are now planning on a new addition. Great back seat...looks like ours.
Another friend of Aldo.

 

[XJINTX]

XJINTX, wish we had gotten a swing out one. I pack things low so that the door can open and set a small piece of plywood on top. We can you the ladder steps as a grab bar and we can get in and out. It is PIA, but we make it work. I bought the Rubbermaid 2 step and parked the heavy hitch step in the garage. I'm watching this post because I like the idea of rack and basket over our F250 crew cab. My hitch basket came with a waterproof bag. The price $150+/- was better than the heavy stow - away plastic ones at $800+/-. Looked at your link on phone and hard to read. Is this like an adaptor that I would use with my existing cargo carrier? What is the price for the large, no pricing on web site? jd

Sent from my SM-G900V using Wander The West mobile app

LongHorn, I PM'd you. But for others the RakAttach mounts into your receiver. It makes anything you mount swing away. I believe the designed purpose is so Vans or Trucks can swing away their receiver mounted bike racks for door or tailgate access and not unload bikes. Myself I'm using for a receiver tray... much like it sounds you already have

 

[Lighthawk]

Buckland,

Go to: Gallery, then to Members Gallery, scroll down to "2008 Hawk" by Lighthawk, then to his Archives, then to Camper Mods. There you will find his set up with Yakima Racks/Basketcase on cab install. I'm sure you can contact him for info. I'll do the same setup once I get my new Ram. Presently, my basket is attached to my racks up top. Hope this helps.

Happy trails

Guilty as charged, your honor.
We have the lighter gauge Yakima Basketcase, I believe. We stopped using it because the gap between the 1st gen Tundra w/basket and the bottom of the Hawk was too tight to be used conveniently. I modded the mount to hang the basket about 1/2" off the cab of the truck. So the basket is as low as it can go.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/gallery/image/6673-img-4752.jpg

We have placed compact beach chairs, snowshoes and other paraphenalia up there. Currently, I run with only the Yakima faring on the front bar. I do have a plan to cut the 1/4" rod stock on the side of the basket, at least on one side, to allow for side loading. I think I can get plastic caps to cover the exposed metal. It would increase the access from one or both sides to make better use of the space.

 

[Lighthawk]

Buckland,

Go to: Gallery, then to Members Gallery, scroll down to "2008 Hawk" by Lighthawk, then to his Archives, then to Camper Mods. There you will find his set up with Yakima Racks/Basketcase on cab install. I'm sure you can contact him for info. I'll do the same setup once I get my new Ram. Presently, my basket is attached to my racks up top. Hope this helps.

Happy trails

Guilty as charged, your honor.
We have the lighter gauge Yakima Basketcase, I believe. I stopped using it because the gap between the 1st gen Tundra and the top of the basket was too tight to be used conveniently. I modded the mount to hang the basket about 1/2" off the cab of the truck.





We have placed compact beach chairs, snowshoes and other paraphenalia up there. Currently, I run with only the Yakima faring on the front bar. I do have a plan to cut the 1/4" rod stock on the side of the basket, at least on one side, to allow for side loading. I think I can get plastic caps to cover the exposed metal.

 

[JCatt]

Not sure if you are still looking but here is what I did. Yakima cross bars with half of a megawarrior basket. Its a tight fit but secure. All I have in it is 2 pair of Maxtrax and a shovel/axe. Works for me and its out of the way.

 

[buckland]

That is exactly what I was thinking to do. It will be a bit pricey tho as I will have to look for used door mounted Yakimas and then find a half basket! It makes so much sense to use that space for things like the max trax as they are cumbersome and used hopefully never. Out of the way is good. Thanks for the photo.