Westcott Designs roof rack sag/issues
- Thread starter phantasticphil
- Start date
I have a Wescott rack on order. I will update when I get it and install, this is a helpful thread.
All right guys, for those of us who have the rack and are awaiting parts or those of us who have noticed a slight bit of sag… I took a few minutes this evening to remedy mine. First I forced some cardboard between the rails and the roof of the cruiser, then barely loosened all the top bolts in the legs of the rack. Drew a line on an extra trim removal tool (the straight flat kind that’s kind of like a paint scraper) so I knew the “thickness” I wanted all the way around. Starting at the front so I was sure my windfaring would still be tight, and worked my way back alternating sides. And then obviously tightened everything back up (slightly more than I was comfortable with last time) and I’m happy with the result. But I reckon time will tell. Maybe this helps some of yall! Cheers!
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OP
- Thread starter
- #44
I have two, one is an ovs 180, other is a 23zero rask shower on a swing out bracket. Haven't used the ovs much yet but so far it seems fine. Really like the rask shower tent, it deploys either super fast so I end up using it all the time.
Installed my rack today. It looks good, but I'm not happy about the front most bracket. You have to cut a slot in the top roof strip to fit it in and it only uses VHB tape to affix itself to the roof. This allows for a small amount of up and down play in the rack at the front, where you really want to lock down the positioning because it affects where the front faring sits.
This is the front bracket:
I'll watch it for a while and if it seems to be moving I may drill a hole through the rack and the bracket and put a bolt through to prevent up/down movement. This front part wasn't in the instruction video so it seems like an add on and not a very elegant solution. Overall the rack looks good and it's very solid once installed.
I didn't like the bulky look of the Sherpa and I've owned a Prinsu before (they love to use crappy hardware wherever they can...don't get me started on Prinsu/CBI) and I like how low profile the Westcott is. I guess in the end it seems like it will be ok but I just don't like this front solution.
This is the front bracket:
I'll watch it for a while and if it seems to be moving I may drill a hole through the rack and the bracket and put a bolt through to prevent up/down movement. This front part wasn't in the instruction video so it seems like an add on and not a very elegant solution. Overall the rack looks good and it's very solid once installed.
I didn't like the bulky look of the Sherpa and I've owned a Prinsu before (they love to use crappy hardware wherever they can...don't get me started on Prinsu/CBI) and I like how low profile the Westcott is. I guess in the end it seems like it will be ok but I just don't like this front solution.
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Because of this thread I reached out to Westcott via the messenger app on their website asking for clarity on the front mount situation. I received a call back from the owner himself (I recognized his voice from the youtube videos) and he assured me the rack, when installed correctly, is rock solid and I should not be concerned over these issues.
The problem is the instructions for installation do not necessary instruct on how to properly install.
Just saw this video showing the roof rack with over 2000lb.
Looking at that video - I noticed two differences from the install video:
1. That roof rack has the front brackets (Weight Test 1:59) vs at the end of the install video (Install Video 10:00) you can see they aren't there
2. They're using multiple washers with the spacers (Weight Test Video 4:37) vs the install video only using the spacers (Install Video 7:07)
I don't doubt that the roof rack is strong when installed properly, I'm worried I got a prototype version that won't be able to replicate this feat.
Here's a picture of mine without the brackets:
1. That roof rack has the front brackets (Weight Test 1:59) vs at the end of the install video (Install Video 10:00) you can see they aren't there
2. They're using multiple washers with the spacers (Weight Test Video 4:37) vs the install video only using the spacers (Install Video 7:07)
I don't doubt that the roof rack is strong when installed properly, I'm worried I got a prototype version that won't be able to replicate this feat.
Here's a picture of mine without the brackets:
Ok, this made me uncomfortable. Leaving aside whether a customer's criticism is legitimate or not, the angry response by Westcott is a red flag for me. It is a lazy intellectual retreat to 'haters gonna hate' rather than a measured counter argument showing why they are correct. It is akin to a motte-bailey like, defensive response, and very unprofessional.
Wescott may be correct about their design. The original poster is also correct that the installation instructions were incomplete.
Flipping off customers? Weak. Low class.
Funny thing is he's not even addressing the missing front bracket issue in the first place. Not mentioned once
I have a Prospeed rack, so I was just curious and following the thread; but agree, after seeing this yt response, not really impressed with them anymore
Was looking at their roof racks as well until I seen the video response…
You know, I’m very happy with this rack, and I’d have to agree that my slight sag only happened because I didn’t torque the bolts down enough. But that was a very cringy video. I’m by no means an engineer or have any kind of knowledge of weight distribution or whatever, but they did have a buttload of washers on those spacers… 
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I'm wondering if the washers account for the curvature of the roof of the LC?You know, I’m very happy with this rack, and I’d have to agree that my slight sag only happened because I didn’t torque the bolts down enough. But that was a very cringy video. I’m by no means an engineer or have any kind of knowledge of weight distribution or whatever, but they did have a buttload of washers on those spacers…
He says to make it flat for the test he has to add washers the roof is not flat.
But isn’t that the point of the feet?
Maybe I’m just misunderstanding this whole thing, but nobody’s roof is flat… the feet secure to the car and the rack is supposed to adjust somewhat on the feet. Couldn’t they just have set it right on the ground and done this whole thing just to prove it doesn’t slide down the feet? Like the whole point of this is to prove it doesn’t sag under weight… I feel like they stacked enough washers to help hold it up
I agree, that was a cringeworthy video. I have a Westcott build with roof rack and I'm very happy with the products and service and I have to agree they do have their haters, but that is not a professional way to address them or any of us.
After watching that video, I amend my opinion...go and buy anything else. I think someone is buying supplements at gas stations.
