whats wrong with the muffler clamps?

 

Nothing wrong really, just looking for alternatives and something less likely to dent or crease the rails.

Years back I searched high and low for an inexpensive replacement for the FourTreks clamps. There are plenty available as many different industries (theater lighting for example) that utilize clamps in this size and for the weight of a Hi-Lift jack. But the sheer load that a Hi-lift would put on them in an accident doesn't justify their use IMO.

However, none of them are much cheaper or better than the FourTreks clamps.

The muffler clamps are indeed the best option.

You are certainly welcome to prove me wrong with your own research.

Thanks, doubt I will find anything revolutionary, I guess that's why I'm asking if anyone has found other alternatives. I tried searching but haven't found anything. Sometimes that's because there's nothing to find, sometimes its because one is using the wrong search terms.

 

Years back I searched high and low for an inexpensive replacement for the FourTreks clamps. There are plenty available as many different industries (theater lighting for example) that utilize clamps in this size and for the weight of a Hi-Lift jack. But the sheer load that a Hi-lift would put on them in an accident doesn't justify their use IMO.

However, none of them are much cheaper or better than the FourTreks clamps.

The muffler clamps are indeed the best option.

You are certainly welcome to prove me wrong with your own research.

 

outback27,
I did this search last year and didn't really some up with anything that works really well.
McMaster has these,

but they only come with 1/4"-20 hardware, so you can't just put a longer bolt in them and make it work (if you're trying to mount a hi-lift jack).
They would provide a good platform for bolting unistrut or angle together to make a rudimentary roof-rack.
If you do go with unistrut, McMaster carries this part

 

McMaster also has the vibration dampening u-bolts

http://www.mcmaster.com/#u-bolts/=vxeodh

I would use pieces of exhaust pipe and exhaust clamps similar to what surf and snow did when he built his roof rack


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Thanks, doubt I will find anything revolutionary, I guess that's why I'm asking if anyone has found other alternatives. I tried searching but haven't found anything. Sometimes that's because there's nothing to find, sometimes its because one is using the wrong search terms.

Gotcha. The search terminology can be foreboding.
I went down a very deep rabbit hole when I found some clamps that are used in light and scaffold rigging. Here's a couple of things I found :

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00387G1VY/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_ap_am_us?ie=UTF8&tag=vig-20

http://www.amazon.com/Brand-Chauvet...X14/ref=sr_1_16?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1338566272&sr=1-16&tag=vig-20

I could not find anything in 2.25" at any number of supply houses that were less expensive than the fourtreks. And as they are designed for something else, were not an ideal alternative IMO. They can hold quite a bit of static weight, but the dynamic load in an accident would likely sheer the clamp apart.

For the record, I do not endorse the use of these products to mount a Hi-Lift or other heavy device to the roof rack of your vehicle.

 

I've been eyeing these to make a poor man's removable Rotopax carrier for the roof:

http://www.mcmaster.com/?error_redirect=true#3176t36/=vxf2ph

 

Those work well. They need a bit of a liner to fit well. Silicone strip makes it perfect.

 

Thanks guys, some great suggestions!

At this time no hi lift. Rotopax between the roof rails, awning mount are a couple things I had in mind.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0019...eywords=muffler+clamps+2.25&dpPl=1&dpID=51R8F5qhO7L&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SX200_QL40
This should be good I think to place rear lights


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