Giant Roof Rack: $1150
This extra-large, heavy-duty, walk-on-top roof-top cargo rack came into being as part of an art car idea that I wanted to make real and take to the world-famous Burning Man event in the Black Rock Desert area of West Central Nevada in 1999.
Well ... one thing led to another ... and ... the contraption I called “The Great Pyramobelisk of Ruth” finally emerged. Ruth was my girlfriend at the time, so I named it in honor of her. At first, she wasn't sure she wanted her name associated with the rig ... but ... when she saw how much fun everyone (including her) were having riding around on it, she became a believer.
The Pyramobelisk principal parts, starting with the main platform roof rack, are now up for sale.
Key features of this fantastic cargo rack are:
Extra large; Extra Strong; Extra Light for its size; Side shelves for ladders and other “tie-on” gear; Inert gas heli-arc welded non-rusting 6061-T6 alloy aircraft aluminum frame; Five sport-utility style cross-roof support frames … and … a half inch thick walk-on plywood deck.
As far as I know, these features are not available, at any price, from any commercial source. Folks, this fantastic roof rack is one-of-a-kind!
Below are some photos and other helpful information.
For general convenience a pdf file with a lot of the same information as presented in this section can be downloaded to your browser by clicking HERE.
The roof rack supporting a lot of weight on the playa (dried up lake bed) at burning man:
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Pictures of the roof rack from various angles:
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Roof Rack Sketch with Dimensions:
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Nominally Comparable Commercially Available Roof Racks:
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Pyramobelisk Principal Parts Are Now Up For Sale:
The Pyramelisk is basically an erector set on steroids. It consists of aluminum channels and gusset plates that assemble, using stainless steel hardware, into any number of diverse finished strutures. Once assembled, these components make light-but-strong platforms and-or shade structures for Burning Man expeditions and other adventures.
Large
Rectangular Frame Panels (qty of 4) weigh 54 lbs each
Medium Rectangular Frame Panels (qty of 2)
Weigh 32 lbs each
Upper Rectangular Frame Panels (qty of 2) Weigh
16 lbs each
Also, there is a single
Rectangular Frame: 36 lb
And then there are two, four wheeled undercariages and two, plywood floored, welded aluminum platforms. The Platforms are 7' 3" and 14' 3" long. These platforms would make excellent walk-on-top roof racks for small to medium size vehicles. For more detailed structure dimensions, click here:
Design Details (PDF file)
All said, there is a lot of aluminum, wood and wheels for sale here!
Pyramobelisk Side Frames: $250
The side frames were design to be light-but-strong. Side frame member elements are connected using dozens of custom made 3/16" aluminum gusset plates. The diagonal truss members are 7' 1" long. The fastening hardware is all stainless steel. Because all the frame pieces are identical, the side frames can be easily dissassembled ... and then ... if desired ... reassembled into other, very different shapes.
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Pyramobelisk Platform Decks - Potential Roof Racks:
Seven footer: $450 Fourteen footer: $650
These platform decks would make excellent indusrial level car-top carryers and sleeping tent platforms. The plywood decks would need to be pressure washed or replaced ... no big deal. The platform frame elements were mig welded and the truss design is very strong. Ladders and other gear may be attached to the platform frames in a hundred different ways. The platforms themselves may be litterally lashed to normal roof racks already installed on a vehicle, thus vastly increasing car-top carrying versatility and load bearing.
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Pyramobelisk Undercarriage and Wheels: $375
The undercarriage is set up for eight wheels, four on each "truck." The wheels are air filled and 360 degree castoring. These are not cheap wheel assemblies! For reasons I can't remember, one wheel has been removed
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Pyramobelisk Blurb and Design Information:
Blurb (PDF file) Design Details (PDF file)