I'm sure some of you might be in the same boat as me.....we want raingler nets but don't have hundreds and hundreds of dollars to spend.
I'm also really into projects and keeping myself occupied at home. So I figure I'll make my own nets.

This is the VERY beginning stages to this right now but I just wanted to let some know in case you wanted to keep it on your radar. I'll try to take as many pics and give as many details as possible.

So far I've ordered 100yds of nylon from hxxp://www.drdcorp.com/strap-cord-hardware/strap.htm
Some metal o-rings from hxxp://www.strapworks.com/Metal_O_Ring_p/mor.htm
and some side release buckles from hxxp://www.strapworks.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SRBSA&Show=TechSpec s
I'll have everything I need except thread for about $130 (w/shipping + tax).

I figured I'll probably have too much nylon but may end up making some grab handles and who knows what else (i.e. fire extinguishers support, luggage straps, etc.)

The stuff should be here on Monday, but I'm going to measure the openings between the cage in the meantime. The nice thing about doing this is I can make them custom to fit anything I want (i.e. doorways).


More to follow...

 

subscribing...I have a full set of Raingler nets. I am a little disappointed that the fit to the roll cage is not very precise. The panels are too small IMO.

 

From the looks of some of the pictures I've seen of Raingler nets, your right, they don't have that precise fit. With making my own I can make the side gaps a little smaller and even the space between rows/columns smaller.

I've never heard of the aspen nets. I'll look them up later just to get some more ideas.

Joe, it seems that the O-rings are important to the build so that you can tighten them without slack on one side.

I can't wait to start these

Question for those who have them - what are the size of the squares (row to row, column to column)? 5-6"?

 

I know I'm gonna get flamed for this, but I got a set of the Raingler nets on eBay for $100, directly from the company... I was the only one to bid on them... They were for my 2dr & only the side & rear nets... I lucked out! They fit very well, well enough to keep my dog in, for the most part...

 

the aspen nets are CHEAP for a reason they SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the netting doesnt reach to the sides at all, the strap that is supposed to wrap up and over the roll bar doesnt reach to allow you to actually put them together, the netting only goes to the top of the seat. they didnt stop the dog from climbing thru the sides and also he was able to just go right under the net and hope over the seat, oh yeah they were worth it

 

I got home today and the nylon was already here. I ordered on Monday (Presidents Day).
I just took some preliminary measurements and may start laying them out. I should make a template out of cardboard first though because I don't want to waste the nylon, but I'm just to anxious.

WeGo, I'm going to use a regular sewing machine with, probably, a leather needle and heavy duty thread.
I'm planning to leave an inch or 2 on all sides to allow for some stretching and tightening.

 

I got the regular nylon. I figured a 1,000 lb breaking point is more than enough for me. I'm basically using it to keep things from blowing/falling out.



I worked on the net last night. I will post pics when I get home tonight, but let me start with a narrative.
I went outside and measured the opening for the back net. My measurements were roughly 47" x 25". The 25" can be made a little longer depending where you want to attach it on the bottom. When I laid mine out I made the bottom longer because I wasn't sure if I wanted to attach them lower. If I do add the row I'll have to make the strap long like the current bottom one. The long straps are made that way so that I can sew the nylon around the O-rings. The tops of the side columns should be long too but I don't feel like editing the pic.



I think the Raingler makes there openings (spaces between rows and columns) about 5" on center. I decided to do 4" on mine since it'll contain things better. So I made a 3" square template(since that is the size of the actual hole now, inside to inside) and laid out my rows. Then I laid out my columns on top of them and (starting with the center piece) I put a dab of hot glue to keep them in place until I sew them.




When I was all done I had the layout above.
I'll have a total of 11 columns and 7 rows. The columns were cut 27" (for the overhang), the short rows were cut at 42" and the longer rows at 47".
I probably won't be able to sew them until this weekend though.

Question so far?

 

I wish I had seen that before starting this. $60 for everything and no sewing...that's great.
I searched "Raingler" under the Write-Up section instead of Show & Tell.

Oh well, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a sh!t load of nylon left...maybe. We'll see when I'm all done.

 

I just noticed your location. I'm in MD now but I grew up in South Jersey...Egg Harbor City. My wifes grandparents are in Mount Holly.

Good Luck with the season.

 

I still haven't sewn anything but like I said before I hot glued the pieces together until I sew them.

This is what I have so far.

Back

My artist rendering



The rows laid out and beginning to put on the columns. Start in the middle.




I think I'm going to add another row to the bottom (a long one), make the bottom one in the pic the same as the shorter length and do the same with the 3rd row down. That way my O-rings/straps will be even spaced 1-2-1-2-1. You'll understand when I show the pics later.




Sides

I made a template from cardboard (pizza for dinner) and fit to size on the Jeep. I used 1" masking tape to take it a step further so that I knew exactly where the straps were going.



As you can see in the picture I made the outside straps longer so that I can wrap them over the O-ring and fold back to sew onto itself. Once everything is sewn I can cut the strap that will actually go around the bar...another perk of using the O-ring.