Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Roof rack damage
Some f kwit closed a parking garage door as Mrs Baben was trying to exit her offices last night. There was no indication or warning of the door closing, it just came down as she was passing under it, and she was in a queue of vehicles. Have a look at some of the pics, more in the gallery. Apologies for the poor quality - it was dark already, and we couldn't get the D3 into the garage for obvious height reasons.
As far as I can see there is no damage to the vehicle, although I will have this checked by LR just in case. I am most worried about the captive nuts that hold the front brackets of the rack. If these are weakened we could have endless s t on our Safari trips.
I reckon its very lucky that the garage door missed the D3 roof, otherwise I might be bailing out the missus for assault at the moment. On a serious note, what if it came down faster and hit the windscreen. Could have hurt the missus pretty bad. Thanks god the kids weren't in the car.
I wonder what would have happened with the Front Runner rack if this had been installed. That thing is so solid it might have ripped the roof off the D3. Maybe this is why LR designed their rack with the "detachable" front end?
This is gonna be an interesting discussion with the facilities manager......
7th Mar 2007 4:47 am
LeighW D3 Decade
Member Since: 31 Jan 2006
Location: Brisbane, AUS
Posts: 920
So sorry to see the damage inflicted upon your D3 Baben. So glad that no one was hurt though.
From the photos, it would appear that the roof rack absorbed most of the force and although it has been structurally compromised the roof has not been deflected in any visible way. The lines still look OK. The removal of the damaged rack will indicate the damage to the captive nuts in the tracks. LR (your dealer) most likely will be best to advise on whether they can be replaced or it is more serious. And we know you love to "go bush".
I sincerely hope there is no structural damage to the D3 and the design of the roof rack has done it's job and made itself the "sacrificial lamb" as it appears that way.
LeighLeighW
The old girl is on her third engine...
* first ran a bearing (design failure in original engine)
* second had a failure of the water outlet on top of the engine (pls check yours)
7th Mar 2007 5:26 am
STEVEGABS
Member Since: 19 Feb 2007
Location: GABORONE
Posts: 25
Ouch
Are you going to replace it with the same LR one or FR?
8th Mar 2007 11:46 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
replacement
I already have the FR, so I'm not terribly worried for my safari's. Would like them to replace the LR one though
8th Mar 2007 12:57 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
or maybe they pay you for the LR one and the hassle then your FR one will be mostly if not completely paid for
8th Mar 2007 1:34 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
At the moment, they are looking at paying my lawyer too....
8th Mar 2007 2:00 pm
AP Moller
Member Since: 23 Feb 2007
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 246
roofracks
The LR rack is flimsy of construction. I have used Frontrunners on my vehicles, including a D1. No problems, even when I caught a boabab at night on Kubu island!
I wanted the LR rack because it loks pretty. When I saw the (lack of) construction, pop-rivets and plastic, my min was made up. Nice car, bad rack.
Wind cheetah low profile is the answer.
8th Mar 2007 4:44 pm
AP Moller
Member Since: 23 Feb 2007
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 246
oops
sorry about lack of spelling
8th Mar 2007 4:45 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Fitted the Front Runner rack again this weekend. Damn that thing is fiddly to fit!
On the upside, I don't trip over the rack in the garage anymore.
LR rack in the dumpster
12th Mar 2007 8:15 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
Re: roofracks
AP Moller wrote:
The LR rack is flimsy of construction. I have used Frontrunners on my vehicles, including a D1. No problems, even when I caught a boabab at night on Kubu island!
I wanted the LR rack because it loks pretty. When I saw the (lack of) construction, pop-rivets and plastic, my min was made up. Nice car, bad rack.
Wind cheetah low profile is the answer.
I think this an over exaggeration ...it may not be as engineered as the frontrunner, which is a fine sturdy rack...but the LR rack is fit for purpose. The plastic upstands are just covers for the metal struts for asethetic purposes. The LR rack is much quicker to fit than the Frontrunner and I suspect it is a bit quieter too. 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
12th Mar 2007 8:29 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Nowt wrong with the LR rack. As DG says, its fit for purpose, ie. about 50-75kg load. And yes indeed it is a bit quieter than the FR. As I said above, I wonder what would have happened if the FR rack was installed - it may well have damaged the vehicle.
PLUS - the LR rack I can install by myself. The FR rack is a bit more of a challenge. BUT, its capable of handling much more abuse.
Horses for courses gentlemen, thats what were talking about.
DG are you a tad grumpy this morning?
12th Mar 2007 8:39 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
Baben wrote:
DG are you a tad grumpy this morning?
Always looking grumpy.... but not necessarily feeling it 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
12th Mar 2007 8:58 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
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kwit closed a parking garage door as Mrs Baben was trying to exit her offices last night. There was no indication or warning of the door closing, it just came down as she was passing under it, and she was in a queue of vehicles. Have a look at some of the pics, more in the gallery. Apologies for the poor quality - it was dark already, and we couldn't get the D3 into the garage for obvious height reasons.
then your FR one will be mostly if not completely paid for 
Always looking grumpy.... but not necessarily feeling it 
