Chapter 08
What our DIY rack cost
Our DIY cost at the time
These were our prices at the time and can change. The value was not only the price: the modular pieces could be sourced locally and assembled around the rail already on our van.
What the comparison really showed
The DIY approach gave us a simple rack system without waiting on a large international shipment. The crossbars are the common piece; the mounting hardware is what connected them to our rail-based setup.
| Component | Our cost at the time |
|---|---|
| Crossbars | ~$45 |
| Awning brackets | ~$30 |
| Bolts + hardware | ~$10 |
| Total | ~$85 |
| Commercial rack quote | ~$600 |
| Shipping to Mexico | ~$340 |
| Total commercial quote | ~$940 |