Mounting Wheels/Tires on Roof Rack

[timmy]

I was thinking about getting a roof rack for next year to haul around my drift spares. Has anyone had any luck with mounting wheels on their roof rack? Good idea or stay away?

Thanks

Timmy

[Pantless Spency]

something like this should work

mount the roof rack bars closer together so the wheel is held by it, then secure the wheels.

[SmokeE30]

I have a basket type rack that I have hauled tires around with no problem just be sure to securely strap them down I even use a bike lock sometimes just in case, I do not want to be responsible for chucking a wheel at somebody's windshield on the highway. But as long as you secure them properly it's a great way to carry tires without having to put them across the back seat

[R3Z3N]

I did it similar to the Porsche pic. I bought some half inch steel bar stock, drilled holes for u-bolts to tie the bars together, where the wheels would sit about an inch from the roof. I cut the bar stock a little long so that my straps could tie to them. I will try to get a pic...

Also mounted the tires as far back as possible so that I could open my sunroof without accidentally damaging it, but wind noise with it open either way was terrible.

[Deathtoll]

I did it similar to the Porsche pic. I bought some half inch steel bar stock, drilled holes for u-bolts to tie the bars together, where the wheels would sit about an inch from the roof. I cut the bar stock a little long so that my straps could tie to them. I will try to get a pic...

Also mounted the tires as far back as possible so that I could open my sunroof without accidentally damaging it, but wind noise with it open either way was terrible.

Oh come on.. i know u had that 18 wheeler towing your car.. Knight Industries style.

[Nick_S]

You could just mount your load bars close enough to cradle the wheels and tires, then just strap em down.

[R3Z3N]

Oh come on.. i know u had that 18 wheeler towing your car.. Knight Industries style.

You got it backwards, I was pulling the KNIGHT trailer...because S52 POWA! However it was full of tires because racecar.

[R3Z3N]

You could just mount your load bars close enough to cradle the wheels and tires, then just strap em down.

Just a heads up, if you don't tie the bars together, there is alot of torque on the roof from the bars being shoved apart. I only put 3 tiers on the roof because all 4 up there is close to 150lbs, up high, and the mount that ties to the lower gutter mount is not long, only the top is on the yakima and thule racks. I wanted to be prepared if I rear-ended someone...I also strapped as close to the bar/wheels as possible instead of through the centerbore just incase the rear strap broke, there would be less of a pendulum.

[Xat1cZ]

roof rack for practicality !? .. never heard of such thing!

[rkettner]

How well are the roof racks secured to the rain gutters? Could the whole mess break off under hard braking?

[bmwguy325is]

I did the above mentioned thing with Yakima cross bars. I put 4 275s across the roof. To alleviate wind noise and improve mileage I made a spoiler to get air over the tires.
I always ran to tie down ropes through the center bores to hold them down. I never had the bars move to much. as I crossed the ropes so the squeezed the bars together or kept them from splitting......
I found it much easier to just throw the tires in the back seat
and now I am looking for a tire trailer.

[R3Z3N]

A tire trailer would be bitchin, but I would hate to have a tow hook hanging off the back of my car...yes I am vain ;-) I bring enough to the track sometimes (depending on distance, the further it is the more I bring) that I need the roof racks. I can only fit 2 tires in the trunk anyway, 1 in the spare, and 1 on top as I keep my 10" Lukebox in when I hit the track.

[R3Z3N]

Here, took some pics of my setup:

[M-technik-3]

This is a better alternative.