Planning to gradually, partially camperize our Sprinter. Getting one of those roof rack tents with ladders, and having the rest of the roof as a deck would be pretty nice.
Cost of manufactured roof racks is pretty extreme, albeit they look nice. Thinking I may be able to make a low profile rack system out of 80/20 extruded aluminum to attach to OEM roof rails, find some lightweight decking material to bolt onto the 80/20 cross pieces. Likely less than half the cost of buying premade and as strong.
Anyone here made their own and have some suggestions from their experience?

Also ladder. I see Kus mentioned steps — hadn’t thought of that but makes sense.
Mine’s a passenger Sprinter 144 standard height. Considering buying the ladder that partly bolts onto the rear door hinges. Although maybe just having one of those telescopic ladders stored inside would suffice.

I just saw MF4’s old post about getting salt water under the floor. Wish I had read that sooner. Probably need to pull it up and deal with the rust now too.