Surco Safari Rack

[daverami]

What are your thoughts on this rack? I'm thinking of getting some type of rack for my ARE canopy, which has rails installed. I have a set of Yakima towers and bars, but I think the Load Warriors mount onto the towers and bars, making it a little high in the air. The price on the Surco is a little better also.

 

[adrenaline503]

I had one on my jeep. Its pretty nice, lightweight, but not overly tough. I would buy another one.

 

[Martyn]

Send a PM to elcoyote, we had a cargo rack for sale in the AT garage sale not so long ago, it may still be available.

 

[jbs]

I ordered one of these for my 4Runner and was not too impressed with it. It seemed a bit on the flimsy side. I didn't really test it out, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I did like the flat slats that made up the floor, but felt the unsupported sides of the floor slats had too much overhang and flexed too much.
My lack of confidence in its strength was enough that I went to the trouble of disassembling it and paying a restocking fee to return it. The Yakima Megawarrior I replaced it with is much more rigid, but still not in the expedidtion class with ARB, AO, INTI, Gobi, etc.

 

[kcowyo]

My experience with the Surco Rack was similar to the comments jbs made.

That was back in '99 or 2000 when I ordered it. It just seemed kinda chintzy but at the time it was a cost effective option to the high dollar Garvin Wilderness racks. I sent mine back as well.

They may have improved the quality since then. I've seen plenty of them out there over the years so they may hold up better than I was willing to give them credit for.


*edit - daverami, I have a Thule Playpen rack on crossbars and towers sitting in storage. It's in great shape but I can't find the keys to unlock the basket from the crossbars. So it sits propped in the corner as one big unit ready to mount. If you get serious and ready to buy, shoot me a PM. I would be willing to sell it, I just have to figure out how to box it up for shipping.

 

[Martyn]

I ordered one of these for my 4Runner and was not too impressed with it. It seemed a bit on the flimsy side. I didn't really test it out, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I did like the flat slats that made up the floor, but felt the unsupported sides of the floor slats had too much overhang and flexed too much.
My lack of confidence in its strength was enough that I went to the trouble of disassembling it and paying a restocking fee to return it. The Yakima Megawarrior I replaced it with is much more rigid, but still not in the expedidtion class with ARB, AO, INTI, Gobi, etc.

I'd agree that the SURCO not the world's strongest rack, it has a fair amount of flex in the slats. If you are looking for a top quality rack check out our Baja Racks at the bottom of our accessory page http://www.adventuretrailers.com/accessories.html these are really built.

 

[adrenaline503]

yea, its a light duty rack. its suitable for soft goods, i wouldn't carry jerry cans up there.

 

[tjbliley]

My basket goes with my Kongo Kage on my Jeep. It is from Kargomaster. It has survived a rollover on the prev owners vehicle before I put it on mine. Only thing wrong is it has a bent side rail. Otther than that it is real tough.

 

[Brett M]

I have a Surco mounted on my Cherokee. Like everyone has said, it's a light weight rack. Mine is pretty old, and the paint is starting to come off. It's also riveted together.....unfortunately, oh mine the rivets are coming out. I've only used it to carry lighter items, sleeping bags, my Springbar, nothing really heavy. For the money it's alright.....just remember it's "light" duty.

 

[SuperTrooper]

How would the Surco rack do holding 1-2 jerry cans, a small tent, sleeping bags and maybe a shovel? I found this article on planetisuzoo.com to stiffen up the weak floor of the Surco racks http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm?id=98&Reinforcing_the_Surco_Safari_Roof_Rack

 

[madizell]

If the main structure is riveted, it won't last long on the trail due to flexure. Also, if it is riveted not welded, there is likely a reason for that, such as too thin metal for proper welding, which would also suggest that it won't last. You are also intending to mount it to a flexible surface if I understand you correctly, which will only accelerate the process of undoing a riveted structure.

 

[BriansFJ]

We have one on a Suburban used for SAR on some pretty rough roads. The vehicle gets really abused but the rack has held up well for 3+ years. It usually carries a shovel, hi-lift, and asorted lightweight goods (packs, aluminum litters, etc.). Worst damage was when it got hung up on a tree branch. It broke the factory rails to which the rack was attached, and one of the rack mounts, but the rack itself survived to be reinstalled once all that stuff was fixed.