Roof rack to carry 4x4 frames

[Matt W.]

Hi all, question from a new freelancer:

I need a way to carry 4x4 frames in a regular (non-hatchback) car.

My grip gear is meager. I'm getting a few c-stands, combo stands, beefy babies, apple boxes, etc. But I need 4x4 frames (any recommendations for what you'd bring? I'm thinking one empty (for gels), one opal, one quarter grid, one half grid), 4x4 flops, flags, nets, etc., and some bead board of course.

Now, I can't fit this in a '99 Camry. I fit a piece of 4x4 bead board once and it cracked in two.

I've seen things like this online

http://www.discountramps.com/roof-luggage-rack.htm

but it needs to be 5'' wider.

What do people do to carry grip gear in a regular car? The rest of my kit just barely fits as is. Could I buy one of these and pay a friend to weld in wider bars? Also, anywhere to buy affordable cases to carry lights around? Need a case for my 1.2k hmi, a few fresnels, etc.

Thanks!

[Mark Phelan]

Sometimes you just run out of room. Can't fit the world in a Camry. Might be time to look for alternative forms of transportation.

[Matt W.]

Unfortunately, I don't have the money for a new car. I really want some 4x4 frames to put together a decent kit, though.

I'm seeing stuff like this that, in theory, has the capacity for what I need (at minimum two frames of diff, two 4x4 floppies, one piece of bead board, ideally more), but I'm not sure it would fit on a mid size car (with a ski rack already installed):

http://www.amazon.com/Surco-S5050-Sa.../dp/B000CCFFSI

It might look crazy, but would it be street legal?

Of course for bigger jobs I'd want a real truck or at least a U-Haul, but for the guerrilla style stuff I'm doing now to build a reel it's rarely in the budget.

[Terry VerHaar]

... would it be street legal?

Why wouldn't it be? People put stuff like this on top their cars all the time.

[Justin Chin]

+1 on the wescott frame. I have the 72" frame and it's awesome. Lightweight and very manageable. A silk won't be the same as diff or opal in a frame, but it's great for outdoor work (as well as could be used indoors).

[William Maheras]

[QUOTE=Matt W.;905515]Unfortunately, I don't have the money for a new car. I really want some 4x4 frames to put together a decent kit, though.

Why don't you try something like this:
http://www.chimeralighting.com/Produ...Stretch-Frames

or this:

http://www.fjwestcott.com/products/p...cts&head=scrim

fold up frames, rag's in bags. Several sizes available.

[Justin Chin]

I use to put 6 4' sections of double wall track (in yakima case) and a equipment cart on my 4Runner. That's so I could fill the inside with the rest of my gear (dolly, lights, camera).

Make sure you invest in some ratchet straps to tie everything down. 4x4, beadboard and floppys will be a huge sail (even laid horizontally) on your car. I'm sure you've seen heavy mattresses lift up on cars on the highway. The gear you listed will take off if not probably tied down, even with a wind guard.

[Jeff Zueger]

I agree you should look into breakaway frames. Here is another

http://www.cinemagadgets.com/productdetail/4769

These will work well with other 4x rags and you could precut preferred diffusion with small tabs of velcro to make attaching easy

[Jason Comparetto]

I think I understand what Matt is asking for. I too have owned many cars that wouldn't fit a 4x4 floppy and yet I did not want to compromise. I have made roof racks specifically designed to carry 4x4 floppys and C-stands. Why C-stands? They simply took up too much interior space and would always get caught on things with all the knobs and stuff sticking out. Matt, contact me at jason@CinemaOxide.com and I'll make you a waterproof 4x4 roofrack

[David W. Jones]

Roof racks are a viable option. I had them on my Range Rover which was my go anywhere shoot vehicle. I could also mount a platform on them to use as a shooting deck. Another option is a small enclosed travel trailer. I have to say I don't miss trying to stuff my gear into a car, as it gets old trying to fit enough for a shoot. Hell at one point we even used one of my Ferrari's to haul gear. Yes you get to the shoot quickly but forget about carrying C-stands. A couple of years back I bought a used Sprinter van to haul my gear in, what a God send having something that holds everything.

Good Luck!

Dave