The Ultimate Guide to OCAM Roof Racks: Function, Fit and Safety

 

Choosing a Roof Rack That Meets Your Needs 

 

At OCAM, we’re all about meeting our customers’ expectations, whether this is providing sturdy canopies and trays for all your work needs or expanding space on utes and 4WDs with roof racks tailored to your vehicle. Simple, practical and affordable additions like that make life, work and travel a whole lot easier. 

 

Well-appointed and engineered racks in durable builds do more than just let you carry gear that otherwise won’t fit in tubs or trays. They free up space in the cabin, prevent scratches, dents and damage from bulky items and increase safety by balancing the weight of heavy and longer items. 

 

These additions also double as sturdy bases for lights, antennas, awnings and the increasingly-popular roof-top tents when exploring unchartered trails. Our extensive roof rack range covers everything from simple cross bars to flat platforms, baskets and hybrid tradesman racks in a range of sizes and mounting configurations to fit almost any vehicle sold in Australia.

Consider the Different Types

The purpose of the rack and the gear you’ll be transporting has a huge say in the type of roof rack you choose. For instance, platforms feature longer, flat profiles and multiple tie-down points. This makes them a good option for carrying and securing larger and longer items such as sporting gear, off-roading essentials and building materials.

 

Basket or cage racks feature raised side rails - ideal for smaller items and equipment, ranging from tool boxes and spare tyres, to extra luggage or camping gear. The rails keep everything safe, and double as mounting points for off-roading lights or awnings. 

 

Another popular option, tradesman types, blend the platform and basket designs to offer the best of both worlds. They include side rails fitted, making them ideal for a mix of bulkier and smaller items, ranging from tools to ladders and timber. 

 

There are also purpose-built roof-top tent racks to safely and quickly pitch a tent, plus offering a basket area at the front for additional cargo. 

Sizing Racks Right

While lengths and widths are dependent on your vehicle, OCAM makes buying a roof rack in the right dimensions straightforward. Choose from racks built for single, extra and dual-cab utes without encroaching on ADR regulations (in terms visibility, safety and vehicle integrity). Or longer racks for the larger rooflines in 4WDs. 

 

Aluminium Platform. Brackets & Rails in Stainless or Mild Steel?

Materials determine durability, strength and overall looks. Almost all platforms are manufactured in aluminium nowadays.  The steel platforms are way too heavy.  But for the mounting rails and brackets which provide the carrying capacity and strength, stainless steel is the preferred choice for outright durability in heavy-duty uses, whether off-roading or for daily work purposes. Stainless steel rails and brackets are usually treated with powder coated finishes to resist wear and corrosion. They are, however, at a higher cost than the mild steel alternative rails and brackets, which are also finished in powder coated finishes. 

 

Aluminium platform varieties, whether in standard alloy or high-grade 6063-T5 grade featured in our Signature roof racks, have a considerably lower weight for more flexibility with larger and heavier loads. They also have comparable strength to older steel designs, with corrosion resistance. Easier cleaning, reduced maintenance and upscale looks are other factors working in their favour. 

 

The Link Between Weight Loading, Roof Rack Weight and Safety

When setting out to buy roof racks, weight loadings might cause some confusion. Basically, it refers to two things - your vehicle’s rated roof limit and that of the fitted rack. The maximum weight the rack can carry while driving is the rack’s weight loading limit. And the vehicle roof weight limit is the total weight your ute, 4WD, van or other vehicle can carry, defined by the manufacturer to ensure roof and vehicle integrity. 

 

Here, take into account the weight of the rack itself. As an illustration, most vehicles have a 100 kilogram roof capacity. Subtracting the weight of a typical roof rack (between 25 to 30 kilos) leaves you with 70 to 75 kilos to work with. For this reason, aluminium racks are ones to consider if you’re carrying more gear. 

 

All our roof racks are rated for considerably higher weight loadings than the roofs they’re attached to. With that said, consider the safety implications of overloading the rack with heavy items that can exceed the vehicle roof weight limit. This can lead to fines, but more serious is roofs caving in or causing accidents. 

 

Consider distributing weight along the length of the rack to reduce strain at the front or rear axle, ensure more grip and reduce fuel use. For maximum safety, have all items secured to tie-down points to prevent movement (specifically when off-roading and on unsealed roads) and do periodic checks.

Roof Rack Mounting Systems 

To ensure installing roof racks is simple and quick, first consider rack compatibility with your vehicle’s roof type. These come in several variations. 

 

Flush rail mounts have lower profile rails sitting directly on the roof. These are common in popular road-oriented models like the Ford Everest and Toyota Kluger, with racks often gripping the rails with clamps.

 

Raised rails are more common, with the rails placed higher to reveal a considerable gap between rails and roofs. You can fit racks directly to the rails or use them for mounting crossbars. 

 

Gutter and roof ditch systems are seen in most vehicles primed for real off-road use, such the the Toyota Prado 120, 150 and 250 series, LandCruiser 70 & 80 series and older versions of the Nissan Patrol. They provide durable clamping, often with higher load capacities to fit larger and longer roof racks. The multiple mounting points additionally mean they stay secured to the roof regardless of the terrain or payload. 

 

Track mounts are another sturdy mounting type, with longer metal tracks lining the length of the roof, and allowing for roof racks of various sizes or in different configurations. These are common in many ute models, as are fixed point mounts seen in newer ute models like the Ranger and Hilux. 

 

Installing Roof Racks

Once you’ve determined the mounting system in your vehicle (and purchased the right rack), time to get it on. Let's walk you through the simple steps when installing a gutter-mount rack:

 

1. First of all, unpack all contents. Ensure all bracket mounts, rubber inserts and fasteners are included. Some kits also come with allen keys and spanners. 
2. Install the brackets. There are multiple slots. Brackets are fixed to the rack with the provided bolts. This is best done with the rack flipped over and adjusting brackets to the width of the roof without fully tightening the bolts. Once one bracket is done, continue with the rest.  
3. Install the second part of the bracket using the shorter bolts and supplied washers and tighten with a nut on the outside. Follow up with the remaining brackets. This is the part that sits in the gutter mount and allows for height adjustability. 
4. Insert the rubber inserts. These shield the paintwork during installation and with the rack loaded. 
5. Grab a mate, flip the rack over and centre the brackets over the gutter mounts. 
6. Ensure all brackets are aligned, and you have the rack at the height and position you’re happy with. 
7. Tighten all the loose bolts and nuts to secure the rack against the roof and gutter mounts. 

 

Step back and enjoy the view. 

 

For roof rack installation on other mount types, visit our YouTube channel. 

 

There, you’ll find videos for vehicles without factory mounting points and which require drilling, and racks installed on popular off-roading models, such as the Prado.

Enjoy the Convenience of Roof-top Tents with Matching Roof Racks

Roof top tents provide unmatched comfort and convenience. They offer enhanced safety and warmth as they are perched above the cold ground, and away from the reach of many curious animals and insects. They can be installed on matching roof racks with sturdy metal hardware, and come in sizes that can comfortably fit up to four occupants. You can also choose from a variety of hard and soft-shell materials to stand up against any weather. 

 

Explore our extensive range, and handpick tents that meet your needs. Features range from ladders, mattresses in various sizes, insulated inner liners for colder areas, integrated heating, cooling and lighting, and so much more. Pair your choice of roof-top tent and a matching off road roof rack combo and enjoy the discounts.