Acari Drill Free Mounting Platform for Ford F150

[Fillmoreranger]

The Acari Products website has information on one of their products, which is a roof top drill-free mounting platform for various pick-up trucks. My focus is the Ford F150.

The product information states the platform is used for mounting becons, lights, antennas, GPS, etc.

Since I am new to all of this, I am asking those more knowledgeable if this would be a good choice for mounting antennas, in lieu of drilling holes in a pick-up truck roof.

Knowing enough only to be dangerous at this point... I am concerned about adequate ground plane and ensuring a good, clean antenna signal.

Thank you.

 

[W5LZ]

I think I would like to see one of those things first hand before saying much about them. From watching the video, I got the impression that there isn't really much metal-to-metal contact there. Maybe only the screws which normally hold the 3rd brake light in, which may certainly be enough?
I do like the way the thing 'fits' though. I saw a similar thingy, just a metal plate, on another site and almost got one (just too expensive though). I didn't see a price on this thing, maybe I'm glad I didn't!
- 'Doc

 

[unit_399]

You didn't mention what kind of antenna you intend to run, but I would question this thing's ability to handle a tall antenna if it is only held in place by the 3rd brake light screws. Hard to tell if it's made of metal or plastic. If it's plastic then grounding could be a problem. Good looking piece though, and if it can be made to work will be a lot better than drilling holes in the 150's roof. 73s

- 399

 

[Superidgit]

I'm with W5LZ and Unit_399 on this one. I see grounding a problem and strength. I'd rather like to be able to touch, lick, and smell one before I bought one.

Perhaps an email to the compant could clear up, some of the questions for you.

 

[AudioShockwav]

If you go watch the install video the two light screw`s and there looks like it has a couple of shaped clamps that reach up inside and hold on to the roof of the Cab.
I would Call them and talk to them....decide what antenna you are going to use and tell them.
That way they can advise you about what it will hold.
Ask them what kind of antennas there present customers are running.
It kinda looks like it is targeted at public safety/ems type of stuff.
It is a nice looking unit.

73
Jeff

 

[pro151]

The 2 large clamping pads look like they would support anything you wanted to mount on the device.
I see a large grounding problem when using it as an antenna mount.

 

[Whiplash-265]

watching the video...at 1:45 it looks like those untreated, metal brackets will be resting against the roof (the padding is on the mount side). that'd be my biggest turn-off about it

i've added a backrack to my truck (haven't tried an antenna from the top of it as yet), but plan on attaching a plate to the top of it 1/8"-1/4" x 4" x 12"...hopefully it'll work, i don't like using magnet mounts on body parts (roof)

 

[Dakota29]

watching the video...at 1:45 it looks like those untreated, metal brackets will be resting against the roof (the padding is on the mount side). that'd be my biggest turn-off about it

i've added a backrack to my truck (haven't tried an antenna from the top of it as yet), but plan on attaching a plate to the top of it 1/8"-1/4" x 4" x 12"...hopefully it'll work, i don't like using magnet mounts on body parts (roof)

I own one of these and put it on my 2011 Ford Super Duty and can say that the aluminum does not touch the roof at all. The clamps that go up inside the brake light hole have foam clamp pads between them and the metal cab roof and there are also foam gaskets between the aluminum and the cab roof on the outside.

I guess from the video is it somewhat hard to tell, but the gaskets create the weather seal and prevent it from scratching the cab roof. Hope this helps! I have a Whelen Mini-Justice light bar mounted on the platform and it works great.

 

[Whiplash-265]

I own one of these and put it on my 2011 Ford Super Duty and can say that the aluminum does not touch the roof at all. The clamps that go up inside the brake light hole have foam clamp pads between them and the metal cab roof and there are also foam gaskets between the aluminum and the cab roof on the outside.

I guess from the video is it somewhat hard to tell, but the gaskets create the weather seal and prevent it from scratching the cab roof. Hope this helps! I have a Whelen Mini-Justice light bar mounted on the platform and it works great.

owning one beats seeing a video of one..
ya i saw them add the "rubbers" underside of the brackets but nothing where the roof would rest and thought "uh-oh"...glad to hear in reality it's very different

 

[Dakota29]

Someone please correct me if this wouldn't work... (I dont have much experience mounting my own antennas). Could you ground an antenna to the metal frame inside the cab? Not the sheet metal on the outside, but the roll bar/structural heavy duty metal inside the hole where the brake light was originally? When installing mine you could definitely see that metal inside. Would that provide sufficient grounding?

Also, Unit 399, the platform is not held in place by the light screws but is held by two large aluminum clamps. The screws that originally hold the light in place are reused to attach the light to the back of the platform. Once the clamps are tightened it is actually very strong and I would say it shouldnt have any problem holding a larger antenna.

Someone with more antenna install experience please let me know if my suggestion for grounding would work... Im certainly no expert.