Not all vehicles are created equal, some manufacturers include a handy rain channel that is located around the rim of your roof.  This rain gutter comes in handy for fitting a universal roof rack.

The universal steel roof racks come supplied with brackets that simply clamp to your vehicle’s rain gutters using the included fasteners, but if you are like many vehicle owners and your vehicle doesn’t have gutters built in, from the manufacturer, you are going to have to mount your roof racks in a different way.

There are a few different ways you can attack this task, but the simplest way to attach a solid set of steel roof racks to the top of your vehicles regardless of make and model is by fastening your steel roof racks to a set of existing roof rack cross bars or sports rails using a set of rated steel U-bolts.

All that you may require is a helping hand from a friend to lift the steel rack onto your vehicle’s roof and to help align your U-bolts for the perfect fit.

When aligning your u-bolts it is wise to remember that if you can make sure that the steel tubes that run cross-ways on your steel roof racks are supporting the whole weight of the roof rack mounting u bolts.

It is also a good idea to mount your u-bolts as far to the outside of the vehicle as you can get them.
Mounting them as far outboard as you can will give your roof rack the widest and longest foundation meaning it will put less stress and strain on your vehicle.

NB: no matter how sturdy your steel roof racks are fastened to your vehicle it is important to make sure that all fastenings are in compliance with your local state regulations regarding the fitment and fastening of a roof rack or roof rack system.
Mounting a set of steel roof racks to your vehicle, whether there is a fitment kit or not, easily opens up your journeys to the practicality offered by a set of full length steel racks. They will allow you to take much more with you when you go away, and as an added benefit when you are choosing your camping upgrades you will have an easy place to mount an Adventure Kings 4×4 Awning or even an LED light bar with integrated mounting holes and a handy side rail which makes mounting a breeze.

There are many ADR (AS 1235-2000) compliant steel roof racks on offer at 4WD Supacentre of varying lengths widths and features; 

Full length steel roof rack

• Suitable for larger wagons and SUVs integrates a full length side rail and tie down points along the perimetre has three central cross bars that can be used to fasten to fixed points on your vehicle. Also utilises a mesh base for easy cargo carrying

Steel Roof Top Tent Rack

• Similar to the Full length steel rack however only has a front perimeter rail. This rack is designed to suit most roof top tents available on the market allowing them to be fastened to the rear whilst still being able to contain cargo at the front with the perimeter rail. Also includes light bar mounting points.

Steel Tradie Roof Racks

• The steel tradie rack incorporates 8 separate cross bars, for extra torsional strength, it can also be used to fasten a standard sheet of plywood or gyprock, being 220cm long and 125cm wide and with the side rails you have plenty of options to fasten your gear and includes the standard led light bar mounting holes on the front

¾ Length Steel Roof Rack

• This rack is ideal for smaller SUVs and vehicles that don’t want to lose functionality of their sun roof. A ¾ rack uses many of the features of a Full Length Steel Roof Rack but is only 190cm long allowing for less aero dynamic resistance. There are also the standard led light bar mounting holes on the front.

½ Length Steel Roof Rack

• The half-length steel roof rack is 125cm x 125cm and is perfect for hatch backs and smaller 4WD’s like the Suzuki Sierra, Jimny and Vitara. This size can even be fitted to smaller hatch backs and dual cab utes and it uses the standard led light bar mounting holes on the front

Steel Flat Racks

• The Steel flat rack by Adventure Kings uses a steel frame with 4 steel cross bars that support the load; there is also the standard led light bar mounting holes on the front. The steel flat rack is flatter and lower profile than many rack systems on the market allowing more roof clearance for underground carparks.

All of the Adventure Kings roof racks can be made to fit just about any vehicle you can imagine. With a little ingenuity and some cheap parts available at any hardware store you can convert your vehicle into one mighty touring machine!