Can you put a doorway dolly on a roof rack?

[Matt W.]

As simple as that. Just need to transport one for a shoot and don't want to rent a truck just to move a dolly. Thanks!

[Erik Bien]

That depends: what kind of doorway dolly? What kind of roof rack? What kind of vehicle?

I know a guy who actually uses his doorway dolly on tracks mounted to a roof rack (while the vehicle is parked, obviously), but he has

A — an older, very lightweight Matthews doorway dolly with small "hot button" skate wheels
B — an older Range Rover with self-leveling airbag suspension and receiver hitches on both bumpers

and

C — a "safari" style roof rack sturdy enough to walk on, and custom hitch-mounted track supports.

The standard "luggage racks" one often finds on the average passenger car seem mostly decorative; lots of lightweight plastic and thin aluminum tubing I'd hardly trust to keep a sleeping bag or a plastic cooler secured at highway speeds.

[Matt W.]

Thanks! It's a pretty nice third party ski rack and we are driving locally (10 mins from rental place on country roads). Attaching it with ratchet straps through the windows. Matthews dolly with hot button wheels....my fingers are crossed. Otherwise what would you recommend? Renting a truck at Home Depot?

[Tom Wills]

The Matthews Doorway Dolly is 117 pounds, and then add on a bit for the Hot Buttons. Maybe it's safe, maybe it isn't, you should check your roof rack's ratings, but "ski rack" doesn't sound like it's made for that kind of weight. Also, how are you planning to transport the track?

If you can't do it with your vehicle, go get a U-Haul. Much cheaper than a truck from Home Depot, and you can work out of the back of it for the whole shoot day. I've worked out of the back of one as an improvised grip truck on a few occasions, and while it's not as nice as a dedicated truck, it'll be a hell of a lot better than trying to fit everything into small vehicles.

[Brian F Kobylarz]

As simple as that. Just need to transport one for a shoot and don't want to rent a truck just to move a dolly. Thanks!

OPTION 1 - Bypass the roof rack and make an alternate with speed rail and the heavy duty suction cups. If you can build a rig for MP cams and lighting...
or
OPTION 2:
if we keep it simple and you are going very short distances at low speeds:
Not my first choice (that's why I own a truck) - but there are areas I have not been allowed to bring commercial vehicles.

The Matthews Doorway dolly weighs 92 pounds with the standard wheels still on.
No need to factor in the weight of the sides and handles - those fit nicely inside the car.

Next, take the wheels off (1-1/8" wrench) - takes only a moment or two. Weight is getting closer to 85 pounds.

Get two pieces of that split rubber/foam pipe insulation (that stuff in the plumbing dept at Home Depot or Lowe's) - secure them on the rails with plastic wire ties - does wonders to keep a roof load from wanting to slide.

Next, place the dolly upside down on the "rubberized" roof rails (carpeting facing down).
Orienting the dolly sideways works better - the stripped dolly is about 48" long - fits nicely and provides access to more lashing points.

As far as tie down:
Use racheting heavy duty nylon straps with secure tie points.
If rope, use manilla (never nylon - it stretches).

The greatest danger is sudden stops and turns.
If you don't think you can make it become one with the car, don't even consider it!

[Matt W.]

This roof rack can almost certainly take it (we've transported canoes with it), but I'm just renting a U Haul to keep the rental place happy. Now I have to deal with the rental house being completely unresponsive since I sent in my rental form 10 mins after they closed for the weekend without them telling me when they closed. Oh well... Are same day rentals (process in the morning; have gear by the afternoon) unheard of for something as simple as a dolly?

Norwhich, CT, btw? I spent too much time there last summer. Totally dig Sazon, though. Thanks!

[Brian F Kobylarz]

Norwhich, CT, btw? I spent too much time there last summer. Totally dig Sazon, though. Thanks!

Been located there for a while. It's not quite the end of the world, but you can see it from here.
Where did you end up?
From my front steps, I can walk to Sazon in about 5 minutes... Miss Saigon is another favorite.

A rental house should be responsive - especially if you have an account.


[Edit] If you are still somewhat local, I have two Matthews Doorway dollies, Losmandy Portaglide sleds, over a hundred feet of straight precision track plus both 10' and 20' circles...

[Matt W.]

I don't have an account is the issue--I'm usually not the one paying for rentals and don't have production insurance for this $400 shoot (another reason I decided to go with the truck so there's no risk of damage)--so I can understand the situation, but it's frustrating if my whole shoot falls through due to the rental house taking too long setting up my account. I just hope they get back to me and can process the order Monday morning.

I work in Hartford (in post), but I am shooting in Boston. If this rental falls through can I send you an email, though? There is a lot riding on this shoot, unfortunately. I'll try Miss Saigon next time I'm in the area. I remember the city had good food.