in my old and beloved Golf V (and I think there are also on the new ones) I had a couple of holes in the front door on the roof part for the roof rack screws so as to better distribute the weight, while in the rear door there were only some "invasions" or grooves without screws (unfortunately), but perhaps living in Italy the availability of roof racks for the golf is much easier and more extensive unlike circulation with the antenna tower where they would stop you after a few minutes 😅 as a surveyor I can tell you that in addition to the vertical and horizontal force there is the "torque moment" (it would be the rotation force which I don't remember what it's called in English) which causes a further effort on the pivot point or "rotation hinge" , you were very foresighted in putting in the tie rods, but out of fear I would have also put progressive springs in the cables to reduce the stress to a minimum. In any case, always an excellent, very explanatory and simple video that can be shared by everyone, maximum respect and admiration... 73 de IZ3QVB CIAO
We have those holes on our North American cars, too. They actually intended to prevent the factory rack clips from sliding out and crooked. Now that I know more about the weak points in my roof rack, I'd like to look at the internals of other brands to see if they're stronger. Regardless, I think my next car will have a permanent factory roof rack for additional strength. Thanks for visiting!
I am not engineer but I will in layman's terms without any numbers . You have an array of antennas on a tower that's moving. Just like a tall real tower any hurricane winds would be a concern. Your miniature experiment I would think the stress to the rear of that rack ? Did the back of that cross bar show stress crack? Every time you take that highway that rear bar takes all the g forces. Just like a hurricane hitting a tower. I would suggest that the forces was all around that rack. Great equipment though I am surprised it lasted as long as it did..pulling thr tower in a trailer may work as your vehicles will block head winds.
Thanks for the comment! The crossbars are fine, no cracks at all. It's possible that the deformation of the internal rack tower pieces prevented the crossbars from being exposed to the forces that might damage them. Being on the trailer, however, may change things. There is no longer that protective flex; plus, the trailer moves more abruptly than the car. I mentioned in my tower improvement video that it's subjected to at least gale force winds every time it leaves the house. Well, now it's subjected to earthquakes, too! HAHA! I will run more tests when I'm done replacing my trailer's wood floor. Thanks for visiting!
in my old and beloved Golf V (and I think there are also on the new ones) I had a couple of holes in the front door on the roof part for the roof rack screws so as to better distribute the weight, while in the rear door there were only some "invasions" or grooves without screws (unfortunately), but perhaps living in Italy the availability of roof racks for the golf is much easier and more extensive unlike circulation with the antenna tower where they would stop you after a few minutes 😅 as a surveyor I can tell you that in addition to the vertical and horizontal force there is the "torque moment" (it would be the rotation force which I don't remember what it's called in English) which causes a further effort on the pivot point or "rotation hinge" , you were very foresighted in putting in the tie rods, but out of fear I would have also put progressive springs in the cables to reduce the stress to a minimum. In any case, always an excellent, very explanatory and simple video that can be shared by everyone, maximum respect and admiration... 73 de IZ3QVB CIAO
We have those holes on our North American cars, too. They actually intended to prevent the factory rack clips from sliding out and crooked. Now that I know more about the weak points in my roof rack, I'd like to look at the internals of other brands to see if they're stronger. Regardless, I think my next car will have a permanent factory roof rack for additional strength. Thanks for visiting!
Still haven't bought a roof setup 😅 need a rig for next summer so thanks for more vids.
Any time! I have more videos in the works, some ham and some car. Stay tuned!
I am not engineer but I will in layman's terms without any numbers . You have an array of antennas on a tower that's moving. Just like a tall real tower any hurricane winds would be a concern. Your miniature experiment I would think the stress to the rear of that rack ? Did the back of that cross bar show stress crack? Every time you take that highway that rear bar takes all the g forces. Just like a hurricane hitting a tower. I would suggest that the forces was all around that rack. Great equipment though I am surprised it lasted as long as it did..pulling thr tower in a trailer may work as your vehicles will block head winds.
Thanks for the comment! The crossbars are fine, no cracks at all. It's possible that the deformation of the internal rack tower pieces prevented the crossbars from being exposed to the forces that might damage them. Being on the trailer, however, may change things. There is no longer that protective flex; plus, the trailer moves more abruptly than the car. I mentioned in my tower improvement video that it's subjected to at least gale force winds every time it leaves the house. Well, now it's subjected to earthquakes, too! HAHA! I will run more tests when I'm done replacing my trailer's wood floor. Thanks for visiting!