Max Load Hanging From Ceiling Cross Structures?

I thought I read (BEMM maybe) that the ribs can support 200 pounds. I would happily hang a kayak, but I do not plan to hang myself. But then, a hammock would be interesting.

So the ribs themselves shouldn't be a problem, as long as I choose my holes wisely.

That is my thinking. The holes 7 1/2" from center line fit 1/4" plusnuts. The holes about 12 more inches further out can be drilled out to same size (slightly too small). At least that's what I did.

jethaden said:

I thought I read (BEMM maybe) that the ribs can support 200 pounds. I would happily hang a kayak, but I do not plan to hang myself. But then, a hammock would be interesting.

Click to expand...

You'll need to hang a compression member such as chain link fencing top rail from the ribs, then hang the hammock from that. Otherwise you'll be putting substantial horizontal force on the ribs in addition to the vertical weight. They probably are not designed for that. Hang the hammock from the same point on the compression rail as the suspension from the roof ribs to avoid putting bending moment into the rail. Me, I'm going to use a floor-supported frame. Search "spurtle stand" for pics.

I've done a lot of thinking about roof loads.

One of the commercial rack companies quotes Ford as saying the roof is rated for 420lbs? (Right at that)

I think that's hooey, but I do recognize that the unibody nature of the beast complicates things a bit. I'm still thinking that a gross of 750lbs would be a serious load. I did put 4 adults, 2 standing, 2 stepping into stirrups attached to my roof rack, as a test load when making my rack. That was about 950 total.

I do worry a bit about torque in what little off road driving I'll do. My rack frame is very rigid. I put 3/8" poly pads between the rack and roof to have some flex... We'll see.

Longboard said:

.....cut...... I only weigh in at 150 lbs. (gotta do some more pull-ups I guess). Is this ok? ....cut....

Click to expand...

From an engineering standpoint, you may want to consider that you are a live load while doing pull-ups. Look up live or dynamic loads.

While you may only weigh 150 pounds, you may have the strength to place much higher loads on the van's ceiling, even while hanging off the floor. I don't know how you do pull ups so I'm not judging to what extent you can exceed your weight.

Sometimes people do damage to equipment without even knowing what they did wrong. That may have been the case in the Sprinter roof damage you mentioned.

You also have to consider that you're 150lbs and 150lbs pulling on something with the help of gravity will likely have a pulling force that exceeds 150LBS.

Ted,
In what school did you go? Are you kidding me?

monte said:

Ted,
In what school did you go? Are you kidding me?

Click to expand...

Monte, F=MA. He prolly got past 3rd grade. You?

Wondering if anyone has successfully hung a hammock or chair from any of the roof ribs. I'm thinking for installing one or both on mine.

perchancetodream said:

You'll need to hang a compression member such as chain link fencing top rail from the ribs, then hang the hammock from that. Otherwise you'll be putting substantial horizontal force on the ribs in addition to the vertical weight. They probably are not designed for that. Hang the hammock from the same point on the compression rail as the suspension from the roof ribs to avoid putting bending moment into the rail. Me, I'm going to use a floor-supported frame. Search "spurtle stand" for pics.

Click to expand...

These anchors look like they would resist quite a bit of horizontal pull
http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/315537-post3.html
wondering if I can manage two anchor points right behind the driver and front passenger seats that would also resist substantial horinzontal pull

Btw did you make a Transit spurtle stand yet? pics :nerd:

rickhoran said:

Wondering if anyone has successfully hung a hammock or chair from any of the roof ribs. I'm thinking for installing one or both on mine.

Click to expand...

if you've done it plz post some updates

Thirtynine said:

These anchors look like they would resist quite a bit of horizontal pull
http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/315537-post3.html
wondering if I can manage two anchor points right behind the driver and front passenger seats that would also resist substantial horinzontal pull

Btw did you make a Transit spurtle stand yet? pics :nerd:

if you've done it plz post some updates

Click to expand...

The stand awaits the van...

Haulin,

Thanks for the post and pics. I never saw removable threaded eye bolt anchors with an internal and external thread. Where did you get them? Do you have a part number?

Rick

Thanks Haulin! Will try and find them locally and let you know how I make out.
Rick

Looks great! Wonderful idea!

I'm going to hang some surfboards across three roof ribs... should be about 50 pounds or so. im using eyebolts and plusnuts