Help understanding roof weight limits?

[mikeofthenorth]

As I read it, the roof weight limit (dynamic load) is 110lbs, which really put a damper on my search for a RTT that could handle 3-4 people, and even limits options for 2 person. Having said that most every time I see a Bronco RTT build, it's got a roof rack (weight) and an RTT that is 120-140lbs, sometimes more.

Is the 110lbs limit more of a conservative CYA number from Ford, if so what's the real number, how do I determine if a tent is light enough? Or does a good quality roof rack (Trailrax?) modify this limit by better distributing weight onto the structure? Looking now the Trailrax says 850lbs static load limit, is a good rack the trick to making a these larger RTTs work? https://trailrax.com/products/trailrax-modular-roof-rack-for-the-ford-bronco-4-door

At the risk of asking another obvious question, when the Trailrax says a dynamic load limit of 300lbs is it safe to say that excludes the weight of the rack itself?

Thanks!

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[CalvinT]

You should call Trailrax and ask them. From my conversations with Trailrax they consulted with Ford engineers when designing their rack.

A dynamic load limit for a rack would have to exclude the rack whether it be Ford's rack or the Trailrax rack. For it to mean anything else it would require you to know the weight of the rack.