Artificial raingutter

[Kevin B.]

Anybody ever make their own artificial raingutter?

I'm trying to figure a way to run my softtop and keep my roof rack. I've got Thule guttermounts that I'll bolt the rack to, and I'm thinking on bolting artificial gutter to the roll bar in back, through the Kayline.

The bracket doesn't figure to be too much trouble, but that artificial gutter sells for 50 bucks each, retail. I'm thinking some 14g stainless and a little work on a brake, tough enough? Or should I be looking at 12g?

 

[Rusted]

Yakima sideloaders are half that price, and come rubber coated, bolts, washers, RTV to seal them, etc. Still kind of spendy but if they work it they could save you time and money compared to Thule

Depending on how they are designed I would go with 12G or greater. Depends on what kind of weight you want to carry, but a few bikes with a 70MPH wind, or a bumpy road with a cooler full of ice can put a lot of force on those corners. Can you do anything with some angle iron, shorten one length so it fits better (a plasma cutter and using the inside of the angle for a cutting guide would be about the right distance and would help keep it straight), and you could make some really beefy mounts.

 

[Kevin B.]

Yakima sideloaders are half that price, and come rubber coated, bolts, washers, RTV to seal them, etc. Still kind of spendy but if they work it they could save you time and money compared to Thule

Depending on how they are designed I would go with 12G or greater. Depends on what kind of weight you want to carry, but a few bikes with a 70MPH wind, or a bumpy road with a cooler full of ice can put a lot of force on those corners. Can you do anything with some angle iron, shorten one length so it fits better (a plasma cutter and using the inside of the angle for a cutting guide would be about the right distance and would help keep it straight), and you could make some really beefy mounts.

Yah, saw those sideloaders right after I posted - the price is right, and I think that's how I'm gonna go.

For the bracket, I'm considering finding some pipe with an ID to match the OD of the roll bar, cutting out a panel to bolt to the roll bar, and welding a vertical bracket with a gusset or two to bolt the sideloaders to. I don't get what you're saying with the angle iron, shorten what length?

 

[Rusted]

I don't get what you're saying with the angle iron, shorten what length?

The angle iron was to re-create what the yakima side loader is, but homemade. Go with the yakima if it will work for you.

I may not be following what you have in mind, but here maybe some solutions for the ID/OD clamp you were describing


http://www.bulbamerica.com/eBay/Images/4xO-Clamp.jpg
or
http://www.tripleateam.com/water/d/79841-2/rzrlightbar1.JPG

 

[Kevin B.]

The angle iron was to re-create what the yakima side loader is, but homemade. Go with the yakima if it will work for you.

I may not be following what you have in mind, but here maybe some solutions for the ID/OD clamp you were describing


http://www.bulbamerica.com/eBay/Images/4xO-Clamp.jpg
or
http://www.tripleateam.com/water/d/79841-2/rzrlightbar1.JPG

Oh, copy. Yah, that would work well to. I've got some cut-up bed frame that would have been perfect for that, but I think I like the sideloaders better.

I like that bulb-america link. I go into these projects thinking about all the creative and wonky ways I can ghetto-rig a solution, and I neglect to look for practical solutions somebody else already came up with.

 

[Mug]

Hey Kevin,

This is one thing I was thinking about.

8427A54
Edge Trim J-Type, Alum, 3'L, 21/64" Opening (A), 1-11/64" H (B)
In stock at $8.29 Each

It comes from mcmaster.com under aluminum extrusions, although you might find it locally.

Here's another link: http://www.extrude-a-trim.com/pages...n.asp?id=15&cat=J+CAPS&catm=Glass Mirror Trim

Looks like the industry term is "J" trim or mirror trim.

I think this is what Keith was referring to with the angle iron:

Good luck and let me know if you need help bending or welding.

Marshall