Ideas for 2021 T@B 320 S Boondock Racks?

mntrails

How are people using the current year Boondock Racks.  I can think of the following:

1) Buy a basket and lash extra gear onto it - but if you don't really want to buy a basket...,
2) Put a bike rack on it - something like a fork mount rack would probably be secure enough,
3) Use it to dry towels and laundry either directly or with the aid of a rope to a tree

Any other ideas?  The angle that it sits on the roof pretty much rules out anything long or that catches any wind such as a hard shell roof box and certainly no kayaks or other watercraft.  I'm just curious if someone has thought of something creative - at the moment, mine aren't getting used at all except for possibly #3.

Sharon_is_SAM

What is the weight limit for the rack and roof?

mntrails

I don't see a limit in the T@B manual. I found an old post though with this quote:

"I spoke to the Factory this morning. The official load capacity on the Yakima rack, as mounted, is 100 lbs"

CrabTab

I have seen posts where solar panels and auxiliary antennas have been mounted to the racks. We thought of adding the boatloader extension pole to have a clothesline free of the roof. Ultimately we just moved the racks to the shell on our Colorado. I know that doesn't take you far, but it was the best practical use we could come up with for the racks...

pthomas745

All sorts of things can go up on the rack:  https://www.google.com/search?bih=1098&biw=1920&hl=en&sxsrf=ALeKk03J0eMJagjRsGB5ST0WmVMARIwjmA:1591066380977&ei=DL_VXvGVO-e_0PEPrdWp8Ac&q=outback+rack+uses+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&oq=outback+rack+uses+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQA1CLTVjCb2CGjAFoAHAAeACAAVeIAd0JkgECMTaYAQCgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l6&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwjxy86TkOLpAhXnHzQIHa1qCn4Q4dUDCAs&uact=5

sptucker

I'm considering one of these:
https://www.harborfreight.com/150-Lb-Capacity-Roof-Mounted-Steel-Cargo-Carrier-64101.html

If it doesn't suit me, I'm only out $73 (with 20% off coupon)

mntrails

Thanks for the comments and ideas. pthomas745s links above have a lot of information in them... they predominantly focus around ways to carry bikes and baskets but also address how the racks are attached and suggestions for periodically checking them.  Good reading if you're investigating how to use the racks.

BywaysNW

Has anyone tried using the racks as supports for side awnings or tents?  They are Yakimas, very sturdy, and the ends of the cross tubes are long enough to stick a length of pvc (or a vacuum cleaner tube) on.

mntrails

While I haven't tried anything yet,  your comment made me think of using the top rack for the support of a 'bow'  holding up a small triangular tarp that shields the fan opening so I could open the cover up during the rain.  I was looking into the Fan-Tastic Fan covers and the Ultra Breeze U1400 is simply huge and not very pleasing to the eye on a small T@B.  Will keep this idea 'on-the-list' I think.

BywaysNW

Here's what a tube extension might look like.

MarkAl

I'm a kayaker and if alone, have used this "trick" and pull it out then rest one end of the kayak on it while I lift the other up onto the saddle. Plenty of strength - at least for a 60# single.

kkfouche

I'm thinking about getting a KING OA1501 OmniGo Portable Antenna. Since it has a magnet on the bottom so you can set it on your car roof, I'm thinking about a metal plate on the rack. Reception should be better on the roof of the Tab than on a tripod or top of SUV. What do you think?

BywaysNW

I took the end cap off the lower crossbar and stow my pvc tube extension inside. Replacement cap is a rubber cup for a patio chair.  

Bill_F

Bill_F

Inserted a round tubular steel bar into lower Yakima rack bar for additional rigidity and strength.

SLJ

kkfouche said:

I'm thinking about getting a KING OA1501 OmniGo Portable Antenna. Since it has a magnet on the bottom so you can set it on your car roof, I'm thinking about a metal plate on the rack. Reception should be better on the roof of the Tab than on a tripod or top of SUV. What do you think?

I just installed one on the front that makes it almost as high as the vent cover. Don't plan on taking it off.
Used 1" PVC electrical conduit.  12" of snow right now and 16 degrees so it's sturdiness it won't be tested until spring. Should be find though as it will be screwed in and glued to the post after testing.

SLJ

mntrails said:

While I haven't tried anything yet,  your comment made me think of using the top rack for the support of a 'bow'  holding up a small triangular tarp that shields the fan opening so I could open the cover up during the rain.  I was looking into the Fan-Tastic Fan covers and the Ultra Breeze U1400 is simply huge and not very pleasing to the eye on a small T@B.  Will keep this idea 'on-the-list' I think.

Yea, the vent rain covers could look better but being able to leave the vent open and never having to worry about rain or "did I leave the vent open?" far outweighs the looks.

GatorEgg

In the years of ownership my Yakima rack has had besides the original basket and spare tire:
- had two Yakima Raptor upright bike racks with bikes.
- has my Valera sewer hose tube mounted to it.
- had conduit clothes rods inside the bars which extend out of the Yakima bars.
- basket carry’s our camp chairs, rug and table.
- has my outdoor tv antenna mounted to it.
- has been one side of my hammock fix point.
  I’m sure I’m forgetting something.

CibolaSisu

@Bill_F what type of attachment on the base Yakima rack are you using? It looks wider than the standard "metal cage" most people seem to be using. Thank you!