Thinking of switching it up. ZJ only, no trailer.

[Smksignals]

Well I have been thinking lately about switching up my car camping set up. I currently have a 94 ZJ 4X4 V8 and tow a M416 behind it. My thoughts are to ditch the M416 and go solo with the ZJ.

I saw a 4WD magazine with a white 4DR JK with the ARB roof rack and Simpson RTT, Front Runner 40l water tank, and Rotopax gas cans all on the roof of the car. I would like to have the same set up.

So, what are some thoughts out there on all this weight (including 2 adults sleeping) on the roof of a ZJ Grand Cherokee with only 2 Yakima or Thule bars. My roof looks like it has a slight curve to it. So I think I can only get 2 Yakima bars up there, not 3. The third I believe would be high centered.

I understand the higher weight on the roof of the car and raising the center of gravity and that is something to think about. I just wonder if the roof is strong enough, and would only 2 bars be sufficient?

TIA,

 

[BIGdaddy]

I'd have you do a swing-away carrier with your fuel and water, but certainly you'd be fine with the RTT up there.

Things to thing about are static and dynamic weight ratings. Most SUV roofs can only handle about 200-300lbs of dynamic weight, which a rack and RTT come close to, but usually don't exceed. (check out the bajarack RTT rack)

Once you are stopped @ camp, you're dealing with static load ratings. Most Jeeps, cruisers, etc...can easily support 2-3 people in a RTT without ANY issue at all. The best way to do it is to spread the weight between as many load points as possible(distributed load vs. point load)

cool beans.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

I am running a Cherokee with eeziawn rtt. I only used 2 Thule bars on the stock roof rack tracks all summer and it worked. I broke one Thule tower but they warranted it. I think I broke the tower in Gonzaga bay when my shoddy bracket that was holding my ARB awning gave out and put all of the weight in the other bracket.

I put at least 3 thousand miles on that way this summer. Didn't notice the break till I dismounted the tent for the season.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

Oh yea, the best thing that happened to me recently is picking up a front runner 40l tank from wil at Sierra. That thing crries the weight as low as you can go and fills in the void that used to be the rear footwells. Next is rotopak on the swing out tire carrier.