Easy, Inexpensive DIY Roof Rack using Superstrut/Unistrut
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- Опубликовано: 1 мар 2019
- After getting rid of my roof basket and adding a narrow roof box, I was looking for an affordable, customizable way to mount a few more items along the other side of my Subaru Forester's roof. That's when I discovered Unistrut/Superstrut. Here's how I pulled it all together.
If you only need to mount traction boards to your roof rails, take a look at the video ALNSM Overland posted (just yesterday!) where Jordan comes up with a clever DIY mount for his boards:
• DIY RECOVERY TRACKS MO...
Comment below if you'd like links to anything, but there's nothing obscure or hard to find here. Unistrut or Superstrut materials are usually available in large home improvement stores (you'll probably find it in the electrical department next to the conduit).
Superstrut material:
amzn.to/2SnJD14
XBull Traction Boards:
amzn.to/2XNxc4L
FuelPax 3.5 gallon gas can by Rotopax:
amzn.to/2YbqFA2
Quick Fist mounting clamps:
amzn.to/2JO17Qf
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I’ve been using unistrut for 30+ years as an electrician and love seeing new uses for it. Sometimes it takes a new dog to teach an old dog new tricks lol
Whoever invented Unistrut deserves a Nobel Prize. It's even available in fiberglass.
That salvage place is a goldmine. Wish I had something like that.
New 10' piece of superstrut in Canada costs 86$, galvanized. Sold out at the 8 home depots in my metropolis... Gr.. What the heck. No used pieces sold on craigslist or FB marketplace..... Very frustrating.
I live in Europe and noticed it is surprisingly expensive, probably because galvanization. You can use aluminum profiles, which are probably going to be expensive as well.
Update: It cost me 600$ Canadian for the unistrut materials & fastners from Home Depot.
@@proxyicarcus you guys are getting robbed. I can get 3m (9-10ft) galvanised for like £20
So much to appreciate in this video: the info and the clean, calm editing style.
I have been trying to figure out a way to mount my small spare tire on the roof next to my narrow ski box. Weeks (or months) later i discovered this video. Now i know what to do! I’m super thankful for this!
Found your video a couple years ago and loved the ideas you had. Back now today gaining renewed inspiration to better attach my RTT to my Jeep. Thank you again for such a great idea utilizing Unistrut!
So much useful info. The methodical way you figure all this out is great. You are fortunate to at least have an idea of the items you need to make it work. As much as I love my Home away from home depot, spending hours in the isles trying to get things figured out is tedious. Thank you for this!
Oh my lord.. I've been working with a similar kind of Unistruts/Superstruts, except from Fischer, on a daily basis for months now, never would have thought I could use it for a roof rack before seeing this, thank you!!
Done it. This was one of the best builds of my life. I researched a lot before I started but didn't need to fudge one thing. Everything worked on a Ford Edge. I painted the entire thing (including the roof) with bedliner and it looks absolutely amazing. One thing though, at high speeds, unistrut/superstrut (knotched) will hum in the wind. It will get annoying. Solution: get some rubber bands and wrap the bars. Completely solved the hum. GOOD LUCK and thanks softroadingthewest!
Wrap the bars? Can you please give more details?
Seeing a lot practical thinking in your project, thanks for sharing man !!! Respect!!!!
My favorite diy roof rack video yet.
Doing a sport trac ( insert Ford joke) this spring . Love the idea of recycling materials for it.
Great video man! Love the resourcefulness
I discovered that about 6 months ago at a local hardware store. It’s great stuff. That’s a great setup , thanks for sharing!
It's easy to miss when poking around looking for DIY solutions as most stores seem to stock it with the electrical conduit. Thanks for watching!
Yes, I've been using SuperStrut since last november! such a cool DIY solution
It's great stuff! I can't believe I hadn't discovered it before. Thanks for watching!
Donald! This is genius! Besides your thoughtful DIY roof rack system, I like how you also went with the cargo carrier box. I too will be going with the cargo carrier box. I plan on going with the Thule motion XT Apline and carry a full size spare traction boards and lots of camping gear.
Thanks Jon! I'm certainly not the first to build a roof rack out of superstrut, though I may be the first to do it this cheaply, LOL. And yeah, as much as I liked the rugged "overland-y" look of the basket, ultimately function has to win out...a box makes so much sense in so many ways. I'm thrilled to never again have to muck about with ratchet straps in the cold dark early morning, pre-coffee, trying not to be late to meet trail buddies. And maaayyybe regain an MPG or two as well I hope...this turned out reasonably streamlined...
Nice work! I love to see a nice frugal build.
Thank you!
Love your creativity and resourcefulness.
I love these DIY videos. Gives me lot of ideas for building up my GF8. I'm very cheap and these are perfect! Thanks.
Good luck with your build, and thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video, I just built a Superstrut rack to hold my 2 kayaks on my 6.5' A.R.E shell to go to Zion, it worked great. Makes my old Thule rack seem like a chump, way more flexible, i use different 5' crossmembers with different fittings for different applications- bikes, ladders, kayaks. Takes just seconds to install.
That's awesome! I'm still super happy with my setup (which I've since painted and it looks much nicer now). Just the other day I scored some more pieces of Superstrut for next to nothing at the reuse-recycle center and have an idea brewing for a new project...love this stuff! Thanks for watching!
Super strut is a great invention! I converted a 14' travel trailer into a 12' utility trailer with 10' super struts. It was indestructible! Also, you can place plywood in groove side to make a platform or "sliding" door/window. I used the big stuff and it worked great for allowing access to the "closed" sections of the trailer. Great job again! I may have to stop watching your videos because my project list grows every time I do. Lol 👍💯
Nice! I really like how versatile this material is. I have some more pieces floating around the garage and I keep eyeing it and thinking to myself...hmmm...what am I going to do next with this stuff? :-)
Looks so much better than the basket
Great idea with budget in mind. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome build very straightforward instructions how all vids should be. You just proved not all things need to be bought from some very expensive sporting goods store. Working on my new rack now 2000 Chevy Tahoe for a Sonora Mexico off road Desert Trip Make new trails man good vibes from San Francisco California
This is pretty cool! I was considering something similar but wasn't aware of anyone trying it (and posting a video of it to show what he/she did). This could give others a good starting point. Thanks!
This buy is owesome. This is a great video. I gave it a mighty thumbs up.
Perfect sized shovel for "dooky duty". 😁cracked me up.
Really creative use of commercially available material. It gave me a lot of ideas (materials-wise) for a future awning mount on my existing Thule rack system.
Nice, good luck with the awning project, and thanks for watching!
Dude! This is legit! Looks awesome!
Gave me inspiration for improving my overland rack, using unistrut for the sides to mount max trax
Just found your channel and it has been awesome so far. I love the idea of using what you have to get out and explore. I did a quick look, but haven't seen the video on your diy awning. I'd love to see how you made that. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! And yeah, we still haven't got around to shooting the awning video but we're planning to tackle it this weekend! Thanks for watching!
Outstanding! Thanks for the ideas.
Awesome job that looks great! I was going to settle for a harbor freight rack but this looks a lot nicer and I can leave it empty when I'm not traveling and get better mpg. Glad RUclips algorithm recommended me this.
There are some cool videos for this where you can make entire rack out of unistrut. Also there’s Aluminum if you wanna save some pounds.
Another great one full of innovative ideas!
Thanks Dan!
Fantastic video well done I’ll keep watching new videos from you I plan to use many of your tips n tricks
Awesome build, thanks for sharing
very helpful thanks so much, im loving the ideas im getting for my new used Forester
Nice setup. I made a similar recovery trax mount use two perforated square tubings u-bolts and knob bolts for my roof rack.
Never thought about Bring for strut! Thanks for the great idea!
It's rare...I hit Bring pretty regularly and almost never find strut, I think it goes fast. I really really lucked out here I think. :-)
Sick video!!! thanks for making this! been trying to figure out how to mount my x-bulls on a budget. This video is going to help me out so much with my build and budget! Your the best!
Thanks! If you just need to mount x-bulls without all the other stuff, be sure to check out Jordan's video ( ruclips.net/video/aI5nf3w2s2w/видео.html ) for an even easier solution that doesn't require messing around with the superstrut components.
Yeah my first pair of chills came with a bag but sometimes they can get pretty muddy when you loan them out. You just don't want that mess in your rig. In my case a full size van. I think I can modify to hang on the rear door hinges.
Very nicely done .
Ha Bring Recycling - yes one of my favorite places!! Great video thanks for positing it very helpful :).
This is awesome. I need to figure out some sort of cheap roof rack for my CRV, it doesn't have anything right now.
I stumbled across your Unistrut video while trying to design a ladder rack. Well, I have to tell you that this Springfield Guy was shocked then very happy to see Goofy's muffler shop in the frame as you went to Bring Recycling. First time I have run across a RUclips video from a local. Keep up the good work and I look forward to following your adventures!
Thanks for all the great videos. Just recently purchased my new forester wilderness & have been getting a lot of great ideas for my build from your channel. Thank You. If your ever plan on going to Anza Borrego in SoCal, would love to hook up as I am San Diego area. Thanks again !!!
Great vid
Good use of refurb materials
That's a nice little setup. I could see doing something similar in the bed of my pickup.
You sir, is the man!
Very clever, well done!
Absolutely great video
Fantastic! Great work.
Great job the best part is that works and is reliable thx for sharing
Great ingenuity and creativity on finding ways to accomplish your goals. I may think of doing the same until I could afford a legit bed rack for my truck.
COOL IDEAS !
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TAG ALONG WITH YOU ! BE SAFE ! ENJOYED !
Nice, Clean, Creative 👍
Excellent video! I have recovery boards like yours and was thinking of using 4 nylon standoffs over the bolts with a wing nut. But two straps is a much simpler idea. Thank you!
MDK Somewhere in the comments here someone pointed out that even a single long strap run diagonally from, say, the front left bolt to rear right bolt would also do the trick with even fewer pieces. Alas, I already cut up my piece of metal strapping. 😄
After seeing this I'm for making some more changes on my rack 👍
Great video really enjoyed it 👍
Great ideas! I enjoyed watching how things turned out. Have more fun adventures!
Simple. Clean. Nice.
Great idea! I was pondering splurging on one of those Yakima Load Warriors, but I think I may do this instead.
Great inexpensive mods. I love it. I am going to steal this idea for my Sequoia.
Nice, good luck with the build!
I was watching this going "man that looks kind of like Bring recycling..." and then I see the Jerry's sign and I was right! Wow another Eugenian in the wild! Thanks for the tips. Gonna go to Bring today and do the same.
I take a look every time I'm at Bring (which is pretty regularly, heh) and most times I'm there, there's no unistrut. I got lucky a couple of times, but either it doesn't come in very often, or it goes fast when it does. Still...always fun to look around there. :-)
Well done!
Great idea I might use it thank you very much
Absolutely fantastic.
Very nice. Good alternative to expensive roof racks. 👍🏻
Months later I'm still quite pleased with it. I recently made a few changes to the setup. I'll have the promised "part 2" out at some point in the coming weeks (or months). Thanks for watching!
softroadingthewest Nice. I'm curious.
Good job..that's the good part of a DIY, you cam make things the way you want for a lot less. your videos are very well done,kudos. keep on trukin.
Nicely done.
Thanks so much for the inspiration.
That’s awesome love some good diy
WOW, What a GREAT video! Thank you sir. Awesome music and narration. You need to give classes, lol.
Great idea. Good job.
This is good idea! This should allow the rack to extend light weight 4 ft PVC pipes both sides so you can add plastic sheets as sun shades for your rest area camping around your SUV.
Great job!
Thanks! Some months later I'm still happy with how this worked out. Thinking about a few tweaks but otherwise super satisfied with the superstrut.
Soo weird when you stumble upon a video and it's filmed in your town 😀
Gotta love Eugene!
Wow in from the Eugene area, cool seeing stuff like this so close by
I'm an electrician and use unistrut all the time.
You blew my mind with this. Bruh
Like. You essentially ditched the traditional roof "basket" and made a literal home-made roof mounting "rack"
Love it. I believe there are even plastic caps you can buy to tidy up the ends.
Yes, there are. Ultimately I've mounted a different awning there which has covered those dangerous ends. :-)
Very cool. Been thinking about Super Strut for my trailer rack when I am ready. There are a lot of different attachments you can use.
Just so you know, they make a square washer that slides into the super strut. They come in 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 inch holes and are pretty thick. They are a bit spendy, but you don't have to use fender washers to keep your bolts from pulling through.
Watch your head..... It looks a bit scary with those ends poking out past the door edges. They also make a end pieces to make your ends look nicer and safer.
Also, if you look at you paint can in mentions not to use on galvanized metal. Made me laugh since your main concern was the temperature.... My roof rack is made out of galvanized conduit and it is a pain to keep paint on it. Spray on bead liner seems to work the best, but it still peels with time.
Good luck and thanks for sharing. George.
Hey George, thank you, these are useful tips. I did see some superstrut square washers at the store and they looked much more appealingly solid than stacking up regular washers & fender washers, but I couldn't find any that would fit inside the channel. My store didn't have a huge selection of fittings so I probably should do some poking around online.
The current configuration is temporary...I do plan to cut down the length of the cross pieces once I know for sure how I was to keep everything, and then fit some end caps. I'm not terribly tall though and fit underneath the jutting ends, so I at least am not in too much danger. Probably should hold off on inviting my basketball player friends along until I've tidied that all up though. 8^D
Oohhh...I had no idea about the paint on galvanized metal. I've painted a few random bits and pieces of galvanized before but nothing that was subject to any real abuse. I did get a can of flat primer in addition to paint hoping to help it adhere, but I suppose that doesn't change much...I mean, it's still just paint, right? Hmm, maybe I'll check into the bed liner stuff instead...
Thanks George!
Tractor paint will fix those galvanized woes. FYI. I use it on my harbor freight trailer and galvanized u bolts for the spare, swivel mount and its shaft.
@@MarsOG310 great to know
The government is all up in my head! I was JUST thinking that i could make a rack out of strut and BOOM this video pops up out of no where! o_O
Hey Donald! Been watching your channel for a couple years now. This video inspired me to make my own roof rack too. I took what I learned from you and altered it a little to accommodate my needs. I made a video about it, and I think it would be awesome if you watched it and told me what you think! I would never post a link on someone elses channel unless they were cool with it. Its easy to find on my channel, I only have a few videos so far. I have a 2010 Forester named Penny, and you were/are a huge inspiration on my rig and my channel. Anyway, I gave a shout out to you and linked this video in the description of my video. Thanks for your awesome content.
Excellent video.own a Mitsubishi Outlander now very similar in size layout etc.own a freelander decked out for overland travel and was pretty much stuck as to how I could make the outlander into and part time overksnder
Gave me a huge amount of ideas for scotland next year.thsnjs Phil England
Thanks for the video. I'm considering building something similar for my daughters RAV4.
Suggestions:
Use spring channel nuts rather than the nylon nuts for better longevity.
Round off the edges of unistrut that stick out or put (frame or end) caps on the ends.
Consider some type of the many angle mount fitting variations on one side of the rack for your fuel can to be stored up right as that seems like it will free up a lot of space for other things. Or instead of extra expense and weight for a 2nd strut, buy a flat metal plate to mount on top of one strut and then connect the roto pack mount to it.
Instead of wing nuts use thumb wheel nuts. A lot easier to use all around especially with cold fingers, including allowing for nuts to be tighter.
Wondering why you used bulky conduit hangers for awning support that stick up, that will eventually get in the way, rather than U-boats cut to length?
Did you know that they make various types of galvanized unistrut although that building supply place may not have had any? Would save you a lot of work painting and eliminate potential for paint to scratch off and rust to occur.
I absolutely love this, I'll have to see if I can find some hardware that fits the aerodynamic factory crossbars on my Santa Fe. I was just looking for a "best of both worlds" to have a basket/rack AND a box for my weekender trips.
looking good bud.
Nice build, easy customization. From painful experience, I think you might want to find some rubber caps for the ends of those rails that stick out to the side.
Haha, yes indeed. I have in fact reconfigured this a bit and now have a conventional awning mounted there, which covers those ends. :-) Thanks for watching!
great job!!
Great work on the uni strut. I like that you kept it simple. Nicely done!
Great video with good ideas. I recently got a Can Am Defender side by side and am scratching my head about storage and mounting solutions for a shovel, gas can, chainsaw, spare tire, etc. Could spend a small fortune on OEM solutions but your ideas may help me avoid that, if only somewhat.
Super cool idea !! Ive been kicking this idea around myself.....i have front runner load bars on the bed of my truck but no rack ($650 short lol ). If I could meld the load bars and super-strut together in a decent looking way I'd be pretty happy. This video sure helps with confidence. I appreciate the share brother
Good luck, I hope you can find a way to make it work!
Great idea, and design. I was wondering what you had up there for a rack.
That recycling place is awesome! I've never seen anything like it where I am (Alabama).
It is a gem of a resource for sure! I'm always happy to have an excuse to go poke around there. :-)
Great job!!! thank you so much pal
Excelente idea!!! Muchas gracias saludos y buenas rutas!!!
I like where you went with this. I’d like to attach the super strut direct to my side rails and use them as crossbars and a rack.
Oh thank you for thinking out loud here. You just saved me $100 for cross bars I don’t need 😘
With the mounts for the maxtrax, if you get them muddy it’s hard to get them all back onto the thread system, especially if there is gunk stuck in between them. Also, those wing nuts are fiddle when all you want to do it get on with it. I’ve found 2 turnbuckle straps that have a loop sewn into each of the 4 ends and permanently mounted makes a much more flexible system.
That's a great idea!
AWESOME! Love DIY Subie ideas!
Thank you!
I have another idea for unistruts. I am going to make truck claws for my van. Attach ratchet straps and attach them to your tires. They will get you out of the mud. I am also going to build a roof rack for my Nissan van out of unistruts. Great video. Thanks for posting.
Just went back and watched this. I kept forgetting to check out what you did with the unistrut. Now this has me thinking.
I might take 2 lengths of this and run it along the sides of my basket so I can hang things off the side! Just need to find better crossbars as I only have stock bars, not sure if it is safe to ubolt these to the top as crossbars for a basket or not.
Dang, well done dude. Way to get a lot from a little. 🤙🏽
Wouldn’t mind trying those struts out as the Newer Outback’s have very narrow roof rails to work with.
Worth a try! Good luck and thanks for watching!