- Location
- Denton, TX
But. But.. but I want the good shiat.. thx tho, I'm guessing that style would work..
How To - Strut Channel Cross Bars / Roof Rack
- Thread starter outback97
- Start date
That sucks, because these really are perfect for this application. The last time I bought any of these was in 2019, but are you saying they've been out of stock for two years? Seems weird that they'd keep the SKU if that were the case. Have you tried contacting McMaster Carr to see if they have any estimate of in stock date? I know things being hard to get is a 2021 theme. And if you can get them they cost more. But maybe they have more on order.
As far as other sources, I found the actual part number from a package of one of these clamps. It says Alpha Series UB2PA.
Some other sites list them but all show higher prices and most out of stock.
Alpha Series U Bolt Cushion Clamps, Electro Galvanized - UB2PA (Options: 2" Pipe Size)
Alpha Series U-Bolt 2" Pipe EGCUSTOM ORDER PRODUCT: Call for Lead Time & Price
unistrutstore.com
Item # UB2PA, Alpha Series™ U-Bolt Assemblies On Dunham Rubber & Belting Corp.
Browse Item # UB2PA, Alpha Series™ U-Bolt Assemblies in the Dunham Rubber & Belting Corp. catalog including Item #,Item Name,Description,Clamp,Cushion,Size,Dimension A,Dimension B,Dimension C,Dimension D,Dimension E,Dimension F,Dimension G,Dimension
Those other options look like handy clamps but IMO for this purpose I don't think they will be quite as easy to use nor as strong. But definitely post some pictures if you come up with something.
I think if I wanted to put together my rack right now and couldn't wait for the 2-3/8" to come back into stock, I would either use a standard u-bolt dipped in plastidip or some other rubberized coating, or I would try to get a 2" vibration damping clamp to work. May require a slightly larger ubolt than what it comes with, and cutting the plastic insert into two pieces, but it should be able to conform to the bars and it's currently available.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
Note I have not verified that this would work! Try one before you buy several.
- Location
- Denton, TX
Dude, score! I put in the time but.. That's a lot of legwork! To be honest I put the list together in '19 but didn't get around to it till now.That sucks, because these really are perfect for this application. The last time I bought any of these was in 2019, but are you saying they've been out of stock for two years? Seems weird that they'd keep the SKU if that were the case. Have you tried contacting McMaster Carr to see if they have any estimate of in stock date? I know things being hard to get is a 2021 theme. And if you can get them they cost more. But maybe they have more on order.
As far as other sources, I found the actual part number from a package of one of these clamps. It says Alpha Series UB2PA.
Some other sites list them but all show higher prices and most out of stock.
Alpha Series U Bolt Cushion Clamps, Electro Galvanized - UB2PA (Options: 2" Pipe Size)
Alpha Series U-Bolt 2" Pipe EGCUSTOM ORDER PRODUCT: Call for Lead Time & Price
Item # UB2PA, Alpha Series™ U-Bolt Assemblies On Dunham Rubber & Belting Corp.
Browse Item # UB2PA, Alpha Series™ U-Bolt Assemblies in the Dunham Rubber & Belting Corp. catalog including Item #,Item Name,Description,Clamp,Cushion,Size,Dimension A,Dimension B,Dimension C,Dimension D,Dimension E,Dimension F,Dimension G,Dimensioncatalog.dunhamrubber.com
Those other options look like handy clamps but IMO for this purpose I don't think they will be quite as easy to use nor as strong. But definitely post some pictures if you come up with something.
I think if I wanted to put together my rack right now and couldn't wait for the 2-3/8" to come back into stock, I would either use a standard u-bolt dipped in plastidip or some other rubberized coating, or I would try to get a 2" vibration damping clamp to work. May require a slightly larger ubolt than what it comes with, and cutting the plastic insert into two pieces, but it should be able to conform to the bars and it's currently available.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.www.mcmaster.com
Note I have not verified that this would work! Try one before you buy several.
I want to tote a kayak and be able to toss some totes up there while I work outta the back end etc..
I'm going to call them Monday but I'm remembering they didn't have as many as I wanted last time and this time they're out so maybe it'll be in quickly.
I was curious so I just gave McMaster a quick call. Unfortunately they don't have any info on when they'll have those vibration damping u-bolts back in stock.
There's also this version (currently in stock):
www.mcmaster.com
Being stainless it's a lot more expensive than the normal zinc coated ones, and will be more difficult to cut if you wanted to trim down the threads at all. But, on the plus side it's going to be more corrosion resistant.
You could also try 2-1/4" muffler clamps.
There's also this version (currently in stock):
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
Being stainless it's a lot more expensive than the normal zinc coated ones, and will be more difficult to cut if you wanted to trim down the threads at all. But, on the plus side it's going to be more corrosion resistant.
You could also try 2-1/4" muffler clamps.
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- Location
- Denton, TX
Same here, couldn't tell me when they'd be back in. I didn't get these ^ parts referenced though.
I got a quote back on some from someone you'd mentioned yesterday at 18.something but sub sub par more than likely.
I got a quote back on some from someone you'd mentioned yesterday at 18.something but sub sub par more than likely.
It's saying "ships in 1-3 weeks" on McMaster now. I guess that's some progress over out of stock.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
- Location
- Denton, TX
Got everything shipped and together on the bench. I need to go grab some spring nuts and blk paint. Pics to follow.
Thanks for the write up and all the extra leg work helping me out~
Thanks for the write up and all the extra leg work helping me out~
Sturmovik
Bought an X
This is a very good thread , it helped to gather my parts when I worked on my roof rack here .
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ5Aev5vtu8
Joeleonard
Test Drive
- Location
- Wheat Ridge, CO
Hi! Jumping
in late on this thread, but just bought a roof top tent for my 2002 X. Would this be a good set up for that or is another suggested/best practice for attaching an RTT. My RTT has unistrut attached to the bottom already.This started off with my needing a solid and low profile way to mount Rotopax fuel cans to my roof. It has become for us a versatile crossbar / rack system that gets used on almost every trip.
Using the channel strut crossbars we have carried all of the items below, sometimes multiple items at the same time, depending on our needs:
Rotopax fuel cans
Treds (traction boards)
Shovel
Awning
Firewood
Lumber
Cargo boxes
Canoe
The basic system involves
Two or more 40” to 48” lengths of strut channel
Two U-Bolts per crossbar
Spring channel nuts
End caps (optional but recommended)
The strut channel (aka unistrut, superstrut) I have used is low profile (13/16") solid (versus slotted hole), cut into sections to span the width of the roof rack. A 10' section happens to divide equally into three 40” pieces. If you only want two crossbars, then a 6’8” length cut in half works well. I have used stainless steel, and powder coated steel. Both work well. The powder coated steel is easier to cut and drill than the stainless.
A note on strut channel: I prefer the solid versus the slotted hole. If you slide your spring nuts along solid channel they move easily. If you have slotted strut, inevitably the spring will poke through the slotted holes and prevent easily reconfiguring the locations of the nuts.
If you want a little overhang on the crossbars for more mounting flexibility, eight foot lengths cut in half have been perfect for carrying our canoe.
You can find strut channel at industrial, electrical or plumbing suppliers, Grainger, McMaster Carr, etc. It's used in a lot of applications.
McMaster-Carr
The ends of the strut channel can be a little sharp, so you can use end caps to prevent scrapes and cuts. I got these from Mcmaster Carr
https://www.mcmaster.com/cadinlnord/3312t11
I don’t own a RTT but I’m sure you could make something work with this general concept.
Note that mine is a 2nd gen xterra. I’m not sure if your 1st gen’s rack tubing is the same diameter. If it’s different you’ll need different ID pipe clamps but the idea would be the same.
Does your strut channel run sideways or in the same direction as the truck? You could post a pic of what you’re working with and I’m sure we could come up with something.
Meet the LumberLifter 3000 accessory. Figured out how to haul some 16’ pressure treated boards today.
A buddy gave me his old Thule T2 bike rack some time ago. I took the bike trays off and shoved some unistrut in the square tubing, added some hardware and other bits I had laying around and came up with this. It worked great, didn’t push my luck with weight but it was very solid carrying what I’d guess was at least 120#. PT wood is heavy stuff.
A buddy gave me his old Thule T2 bike rack some time ago. I took the bike trays off and shoved some unistrut in the square tubing, added some hardware and other bits I had laying around and came up with this. It worked great, didn’t push my luck with weight but it was very solid carrying what I’d guess was at least 120#. PT wood is heavy stuff.
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