Hey everyone, I recently picked up a RAM Promaster 2500 for a camper conversion, and I’m hitting a bit of a wall trying to decide on the right roof rack setup. Since the Promaster has that unique roof curvature and those factory mounting points, I want to make sure I get something that fits perfectly without needing to drill extra holes if I can avoid it.
I’m planning on mounting two 200W solar panels and a MaxxAir fan, so I need a rack that’s modular enough to work around those. I’ve been looking at the Flatline Van Co and Front Runner options, but I’m curious if they are worth the premium price or if a simpler crossbar system like Thule or Yakima would do the trick. My main concern is wind noise on the highway and making sure the rack can handle the weight of an awning on the side. Does anyone have experience with how these different brands hold up over long trips? I’d love to hear about your specific setups, especially regarding ease of installation and how you managed the layout with fans and panels. Which specific roof rack brand or DIY configuration have you found to be the most reliable and quiet for the Promaster 2500 high roof?
Honestly, the Flatline Van Co Promaster Roof Rack is the safest bet for stability. It handles heavy awnings and solar panels better than crossbars, and those factory points are super solid.
In my experience, before you drop big money on a rack, you've gotta consider the dynamic load vs. static load on those Promaster factory pins. While Flatline Van Co Promaster Roof Rack is a solid choice, I've found that Front Runner Slimpro Van Rack Kit for RAM Promaster offers a bit more flexibility for tricky layouts like yours.
Over the years, I've seen people struggle with wind noise because they didn't account for the air gap under the solar panels. I'd honestly suggest looking into the Aluminess RAM Promaster Roof Rack as well. It's pricey, but it's built like a tank and handles the weight of a heavy Fiamma F80s Awning without any structural groaning. If you're worried about safety, definitely stick to these integrated systems rather than DIY crossbars... the curvature of the Promaster roof makes crossbars a nightmare to level properly. Just be cautious with your weight distribution so you don't mess with the van's center of gravity!
Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷
Like someone mentioned, those factory mounting points are just not as solid as they look on paper. Honestly, I have been staring at my roof for two weeks now and I am just so disappointed with the options. It is basically a huge headache no matter which way you go. It reminds me of when my uncle tried to build his own setup for his camper:
I was super worried about the same thing when I started my 2500 build last year. Reliability was basically my top priority because I do a lot of high-mileage trips through some pretty windy corridors. I spent so much time worrying about those factory pins and if they would actually hold up with a full load of panels and gear. Here is what I learned from my own journey:
Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.