Roof Racks To Protect From Hail; Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Tony Laubach]

Greetings... wanted to ask those who have roof racks for hail protection. I've seen many vehicles that have these that extend over the windshield area and was curious about the costs, where you had it done, if they are removable in the off-season, etc? Also would be curious to hear your reviews and thoughts of it; did it hold up well, how big of hail does it hold up to, how is driving with it? Etc.

I am taking in all thoughts of those that have these. Certainly would welcome pictures to show how they're attached/installed.

I am in the process of purchasing a new vehicle, and I am considering a few options. I will likely put some Line-X coating over the horizontal surfaces to start, but am giving some thought to the roof rack idea and wanted to get some thoughts and/or suggestions.

Thanks all in advance!

 

[Dan Robinson]

From 2015-2021, I used a rig based on wire shelving panels mounted on an aluminum bar stock frame. In 2022 I rebuilt the rig with galvanized hardware cloth (also called "hail cloth" not-coincidentally) which is much lighter in weight. It uses most of the original aluminum beam framing from the first rig. All of the hardware are things you can get at any home improvement store (aluminum bar stock, 1/4 bolts and fender washers, etc)

With the Subaru, I attached the rig to the roof rack using u-clamps. With my current Toyota, I'm using the roof rack mounting studs (1/4"bolts).

I can install the rig in about an hour, and take it down in a little less. The design is pretty simple: just make an aluminum frame for the hardware cloth, attach the cloth to the frame with zip ties. The most technical part of my setup is the rollers I use that allow the rear liftgate to open under the rear guards.

The hardware cloth survived 4.5-inch hail in Nebraska. Be aware that this material is really rough to work with before you get it installed (it will scratch you up good if you're not careful). Unrolling it it the worst part.

I have a few photos here:

Season forecast update for 3/20, hail shields progress

 

[JohnHuntington]

Greetings... wanted to ask those who have roof racks for hail protection. I've seen many vehicles that have these that extend over the windshield area and was curious about the costs, where you had it done, if they are removable in the off-season, etc? Also would be curious to hear your reviews and thoughts of it; did it hold up well, how big of hail does it hold up to, how is driving with it? Etc.

I threw together one out of plastic tubing before heading out to chase a few years ago. As a prototype, I just threw on plastic mesh thinking I would eventually change the frame and mesh to metal later, but it actually has worked well enough that I just left it and have used it for a few years. I take the whole thing off and put it in my storage unit in the off season.

Here's details on the guard:
Storm Chasing Hail Guard Prototype — John Huntington

My car has a bunch of pretty big dents from Happy TX a couple years ago but my windshield survived that storm so I think the plastic worked pretty well in golf ball sized hail. I don't expect it to work in baseball or anything.
Great Plains Storm Chase 2023 — John Huntington
(Scroll down to June 11 for the video)

 

[Shawn Camp]

going to build one......based on Eric Nguyen............bike rack and Aluminum Square Tubing...........metal supermarket.....and yakima-bike rack.........then put weather stuff.............on top. its that simple...........for yakima.......make sure to get ........clamps,locks and all parts needed for your rack.

I AM BACK..........WILL TRY TO POST MORE.............WHEN I..........CAN.

Shawn C.

NBCDFW.COM

"TEXAS NEW........SEVERE-TORNADO-STATION......IN DFW"


"WE HAVE THE TOOLS............AND THE TALENT

 

[Tony Laubach]

Sorry all for the delayed responses... I have been swamped with about two million things since this post. I did purchase my new vehicle, my #1 choice, the 2023 Subaru Ascent. She's now seen 6 tornadoes in her first three days out, so she's off a hot start.

@Dan Robinson ; I would love to pick your brain. I am very interested in that 'hail cloth' idea. I would love to have something that's more lightweight, and given your testing of it in Nebraska back in April (the event that retired my Forester), it would suffice beautifully. I am doing a Line-X layer on the hood and roof at the end of May, but that won't keep the windshield safe (I asked about Line-X on the windshield, but apparently it would block my view of storms haha j/k).

I guess the starting question for you, Dan, would be where did you get the hail cloth? I would probably need to hire out the framing to someone as I have no skills/tools to do that kind of job myself. I don't have the MacGyver in me to rig up something like that. Ideally, I would love to run support beams from the hood near the windshield (as opposed to all the way up front as to keep them out of the shot as much as possible). But also make it removable when I don't need it in the off-season.

But thank you all for your suggestions, and please keep them coming... I imagine I will tackle this project after the heart of this season concludes, so just trying to skirt the hailcores til I get the Line-X done and will start eying a way to keep the windshield safe after.

 

[Dan Robinson]

The hardware cloth is in the fencing section of any Lowe's/Home Depot/Menards. You can get pretty much everything for a hail guard rig at those stores. The aluminum bar stock is easy to work with - it is structurally strong, but you can cut it easily with a hacksaw blade and drill bolt holes with a normal bit. The hardware cloth can be cut with either a hacksaw or wire cutters. Again, the hardware cloth is a significant scratch hazard. I zip-tied some paneling trim pieces on the exposed edges of it to reduce that risk when carrying and installing the finished guard pieces.