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Roof racks available - just a bit different from the norm

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we keep saying we can make anything - and one-offs are a speciality, well, heres an example

our good friend Rob Whitakker wanted a rack and board bar for his poptop equipped T25

a week in the shop - some judicious measuring, some carefull assembly and voila

robsvan.jpg
(better pics to follow)

we removed the hinges / hinged plates from one side and the roof catches from the other

the rack and board bar were manufactured to the dimensions of the poptop. The front bow of the rack and the board bar were welded to the hinge plates and matching plates were made up for the second bow of the rack, the complete assemblies were then powder coated - the rack and bar were then re-attached - the second bow of the rack having the plates drilled and rivetted to the pop top

Rob is supplying and fitting his own hardwood slats - although this is a service we can offer - or the rack could have supplied with stell slats as the others

this is a temporary fix - Rob will be respraying his van soon, so after thats done, the rack will be fitted properly using spreader plates to the inside of the poptop to prevent cracking to the fibreglass

we can offer this service to any poptop equipped van as well as providing standard racks as detailed above
 
any more for any more ??
we're getting plenty of enquiries, and one or two orders trickling in

if you've seen us at a show, you'll know just what quality these racks offer - and as said before - if you want a change of design, ring and discuss - we're very accomodating :D
 
these will take some weight......and abuse
this is one of our first prototype racks which we made way back in June last year - its been kicking round the workshop - totally uncoated, and brought out when someone wnats to carry something to a show, or a bit of furniture.......
it went to vanfest last year and was a 4 man dancefloor for a bit.......and it went to bus stopover this year and was used as a viewing gallery....see...
DSCN1001.jpg


we've just supplied a six bow to a guy in essex, and attached it to his split - he's carrying 2 13 foot kayaks on it (pics to follow)

we're currently pricing another kayak-carrying rack, and a set of heavy duty canoe bars - and if you own a surfboard, watch this space :wink:
 
couple more to try and tempt ya :wink:

a recently completed 6 bow finished in a rather fetching shade of orange :shock:
DSCN1158.jpg

DSCN1161.jpg


and one of the very first prototype racks we made - nearly two years old - totally unfinished, painted or waxed - used and abused, battered and kicked around the shop.....this thing is like top gear's toyota pickup - indestructable !! seen here fully laden for last weeks camping trip to the east coast
DSCN1239.jpg

DSCN1240.jpg

we had 3 windbreaks, 2 folding JK camp beds, a JK hamberg awning, and aluminium roll up table, 3 camping chairs, full size spare wheel, petrol can and a pushchair strapped up there !!!!!
 
Hi slim adi....

ok, question for you..... I need a rack for my '71 tin top. In an ideal world I'd have a stainless Westy 4-bow rack, as made by Creative. (No offence to your racks guys...! :wink: )

However.....the westy racks when placed on the floor ( i.e simulating the gutter on the van) are 18" tall, which is too tall as I can't then get my (already lowered) bus in the garage.... :evil: I'm sure loads of people have the same problem...?? I have about 15" of clearance to play with. I know that the square design racks as sold by JK and many others will fit as I had one on my previous van and that went in the garage fine, but being a flat and square design although it looked great when on, it wasn't that easy to clean the roof of the bus!!

For me the rack has to be shiny, period looking and I would prefer wooden slats although it's not the end of the world.

So.....can you or are you making anything similar that would fit on my (or anyone else's for that matter) van, and go in the garage?

just about every thread on racks has a 'clearance' issue mentioned in it, if you can come up with a slimline period rack you could be onto something.... :wink:

cheers guys, Carole
 
hi Carole
we mannufacttuure everything to order, so anything is possible, yes.
although we manufacture steel racks as standard, we can also offer wood slats. we can even do stainless steel bows, but this would obviously greatly increase the price.

the best thing you could do is ring andy on 07732 817575 one evening (its his business) and discuss your detailed requirements with him - we can then work you out a price from there

adi
 
Thanks for the reply Adi.....

I will give andy a call, but i don't like disturbing people at the weekends so will give him a call on monday.

cheers.... :wink:
 
thanks to willi76 for permission to use this photo of his superb looking van
this is our first customer 6 bow in a cracking finish - chromium silver powder coat
26082007253.jpg
 
Thanks to Willi76 and dna your comments were welcomed and I have indeed opted to go with the design 21 rack there building something for me rather than my having to make do and adapt. Thanks also to Slim_adi :D :D
Cant wait to see the finnished article....
 
Slim just wondering if the cheque arrived also whats the possibility of getting a set of steel wheels into the spray shop with the rack so the colours match?????
 
we now have a shiney new website

http://www.design-21.co.uk

check it out - theres a bit off adding and modifying to do (like putting the price list on) yet, but the bones of it is there

that handsome dude atop that stunning early bay is lil old me :D
 
Nice rack!

Will need a rack for next years camping.

What turn around time do you average out at?
 
Yep - that 6 bow is awesome 8)
Hopefully uesing these guys next year - started stripping the one that came
with my van and is very 'yucky' to say the least!!! :D
 
ant said:
still waiting on prices ade!!!

still trying to find a decent price for the stainless, mate
the quantities we will need mean we are being ridiculous prices. Andy is currently chasing up his various contacts and companies he contract for to see if anyone has any offcuts we could obtain......but this is also proving difficult as we need more than most folk have left

bit of a catch 22 at the moment, but dont worry - we havent forgotten you
 
slim_adi said:
ant said:
still waiting on prices ade!!!

still trying to find a decent price for the stainless, mate
the quantities we will need mean we are being ridiculous prices. Andy is currently chasing up his various contacts and companies he contract for to see if anyone has any offcuts we could obtain......but this is also proving difficult as we need more than most folk have left

bit of a catch 22 at the moment, but dont worry - we havent forgotten you

thats ok mate theres no huge rush,could you get me the non stainless prices?

cheers

ant
 
willis bus looks amazing, and the rack looks amazing too. its nice to see something different/unique
 
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