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Not sure when my actual car will arrive, but the roof rack came yesterday. Really impressive build quality: steel and aluminum. Not sure what the rooftop load limit is, but the rack itself is gonna absorb a fair amount of it. It screwed together pretty quickly with an impact gun and star drive. The ladder rear mount is an amazing chunk of milled aluminum.
damn! that thing is nice! hopefully the coating is heavy duty and won't start rusting.
How much did it run you? How does it mount to the roof...no drilling onto the G right and completely reversible?
This was about $4300 but shipping from Germany was a lot. It's really heavy. It mounts using the factory roof rack mounting points. The LeTech roof rack for the prior version was $2K more Because it had a much more complicated mounting system using the rain gutters. So, mostly reversible, the lower mount of the ladder attaches with an industrial adhesive.
Now that the car has arrived I can install the roof. Haven't installed the ladder yet, I want to drive it around a bit and see if I like it. Once the lower ladder mount is cemented in place, you're committed!
How noticeable? Like bad enough you regret buying it?
Re wind noise:
Well, no one buys a Gelandewagen for it’s quiet cabin; it’s got the aerodynamics of a UPS truck. However the whistling of wind around the rack is definitely discernible at highway speeds. I’ve decided I can live with it since mostly I’m at lower speeds and I dig the way it looks and the extreme functionality.
I’ve been holding off mounting the rear ladder, which is the ultimate commitment since the lower mount glues to the paint with Wurth industrial adhesive, so once it’s on its never coming off. But right now I’m inclined to do it.
I have the LeTech ladder on my 1997 G300td which I bought in 2017. For a ladder, I have used the ORC version which I like a lot
I think it is a little too heavy and the G wallows a bit in the curves. I have stock tire size, but it is a SWB as well.
The rack was purchased from GfG in Gotha, Germany.
I had the Baja rack on my old 1995 G320 SWB and it was much lighter and less noticeable when driving.
very nice SWB, did that come from Europa? Yes the rack is pretty heavy. I can't recall what MB says is the roof load limit but I recall thinking that after you've added the LeTech, you were basically limited to a couple of pillows and an inflatable raft! I think it's effective load limit is very high, but MB are thinking about highway behavior. This rack is pretty extreme, basically designed for off road expeditions.
Question - how do you attach stuff to the roof rack? Have you put on a rook top tent? I'm considering the LeTech rack but I don't understand how things like tents, jerry can holders etc. attach to it. Thanks!
Still loving the roof rack? Can you post some pics from the side?
Yep, the rack is great. I like the distinctive look, and it is amazing how often I use it, its great to be able to just throw large objects up there and schlep them around. I no longer notice the wind noise, and frankly the G wagon is an aerodynamic disaster anyhow, so that was always a small complaint. It adds height, so pay attention to parking garages (6'10")
But it's amazingly well made, solid as a brick, and holding up well even though its parked outside 24/7.
It has plenty of tie down points just around the edges, but I bought stainless eyebolts from McMaster Carr and use them in the three lateral channels if i need more points.
You win the award for the greatest most comprehensive answer to a simple question. THANK YOU! So cool to see that you can use circular eye bolt with washer vs. having to have a special clamp or "s" washer. Glad you are still loving it. I think I'm going to make the purchase - where did you buy from?
Originally Posted by Ersatzs2
Yep, the rack is great. I like the distinctive look, and it is amazing how often I use it, its great to be able to just throw large objects up there and schlep them around. I no longer notice the wind noise, and frankly the G wagon is an aerodynamic disaster anyhow, so that was always a small complaint. It adds height, so pay attention to parking garages (6'10")
But it's amazingly well made, solid as a brick, and holding up well even though its parked outside 24/7.
It has plenty of tie down points just around the edges, but I bought stainless eyebolts from McMaster Carr and use them in the three lateral channels if i need more points.
You win the award for the greatest most comprehensive answer to a simple question. THANK YOU! So cool to see that you can use circular eye bolt with washer vs. having to have a special clamp or "s" washer. Glad you are still loving it. I think I'm going to make the purchase - where did you buy from?
Thanks, I happened to be walking out there so easy to take some photos. I bought it through Viking OffRoad however their site no longer references it. Gwagenparts seems to have the LeTech for the older 463, so presumably they can order this one too.
Ordered 5 months ago. Finally arrived! Love it. FYI was toled by gwagenparts.com that this rack is now officially a Mercedes part and price has almost doubled. Makes sense if you've seen the recent rollout of the G-Squared and this is the rack they used.
Great garage! Mine could look like that if I tore down the wall into the great room. Of course, I could then take over the entire house since I'd be single. (lol)
11-06-2019, 09:44 PM
