Who uses a roof rack and what for?

[mph]

I have a Yakima Megawarrior with an extension and haven't needed to upgrade yet. It carries shovel, ax, bikes, and kayak. Pretty much what I need. I do like some other higher end models but just don't want to spend the $$$..

 

[rusty_tlc]

If you have room for all your gear inside I'd skip it. Even with light stuff it raises the COG for your truck, which is in general a bad thing. Fuel economy would be the other consideration, not so much for cost as for the impact on range of the vehicle.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I have an MBRP rack on my '08 JKU Rubi, that I use to carry tents/ladders/boat/plywood/sheetrock and

There's no noise and relatively no loss in mileage (Just rack), it provides a stronger hardtop stability and rollover strength, Nope I ain't gonna testit !!

:costumed-smiley-007:bike_rider: JIMBO

 

[chrishaynesusa]

I love my GOBI rack

 

[Corey]

My new BajaRack MG model serves one purpose, to hold my bed.

 

[Desert Dan]

Around town on weekends I use my rack to haul lumber, fence boards, pipe, re-bar, bags of planter mix and steer manure and anything that won't fit in the back of the H3.

On long expo trips I carry shovel, gas, water, firewood, folding chairs, folding table and Action Packers.

The problem with a rack is that you end up taking more stuff than if you didn't have a rack.

 

[fireman33]

I use mine mainly when i go camping. I put the tent, chairs, small bbq and propane stove up there. Eventually ill add brackets for an axe, shovel and high lift jack. imo a roof rack is a must when you like to do long trips.

 

[robert]

I leave my Yakima bars on all the time. It has a bike rack and kayak saddles on it most of the time but I have a Yakima box I add if needed. I tried taking it off when not in use but I'm lazy and I seem to find it handy for all sorts of other stuff too.

 

[SunMan]

Surfboards and fuel for me...

 

[AFSOC]

Hi guys,

I wasn't sure why I needed one.

There have been a couple of occasions where it would have been handy, but not vital,

Judging by your op, I would guess you do not need a roof rack.

I tend to go by the guide that if you don't need it, don't get it. If you have never used it, don't keep taking it (first aid-kits, extinguishers and good judgment are exceptions).

Hanging around this forum can easily create an impression you NEED this, that and the other. That just isn't true. Your own varied experience and equipment (that's what it was before "kit" became the preferred term) will determine what you NEED. Lots of us here are romantics, image conscience, label collectors and fauxverlanders. We enjoy nature, travel and appreciate fine quality. We use those interests to justify continued gear purchases and vehicle mods. The large majority of us do not or cannot get out on the road as often as we want. Most of us spend our time planning for the too rare journey, dreaming of adventure and focus on building an overland vehicle. It's a harmless hobby and dovetails with hobbies of travel, exploration and adventure but should be seperated and isn't vital to one another.

Let your experience be your guide. It's really easy to go overboard with "must haves". Just accurately determine if it is a must have or a wanna have before shelling out the coin.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: That was so well puy and so true !!

Judging by your op, I would guess you do not need a roof rack.

I tend to go by the guide that if you don't need it, don't get it. If you have never used it, don't keep taking it (first aid-kits, extinguishers and good judgment are exceptions).

Hanging around this forum can easily create an impression you NEED this, that and the other. That just isn't true. Your own varied experience and equipment (that's what it was before "kit" became the preferred term) will determine what you NEED. Lots of us here are romantics, image conscience, label collectors and fauxverlanders. We enjoy nature, travel and appreciate fine quality. We use those interests to justify continued gear purchases and vehicle mods. The large majority of us do not or cannot get out on the road as often as we want. Most of us spend our time planning for the too rare journey, dreaming of adventure and focus on building an overland vehicle. It's a harmless hobby and dovetails with hobbies of travel, exploration and adventure but should be seperated and isn't vital to one another.

Let your experience be your guide. It's really easy to go overboard with "must haves". Just accurately determine if it is a must have or a wanna have before shelling out the coin.

If you want to doit and can--doit !!

two main restrictions--Daily Driver/ finances--

If it's neither--you can pretty well do what you want to do-

My JKU is my toy and I don't worry about gas mileage or finances--I enjoy my rack !!

:coffeedrink: JIMBO

 

[Lichen]

After buying an OZ tent, I was forced to buy a roof rack. The tent is too long to fit in either of my vehicles.

 

[seanz0rz]

offroad/camping uses: chairs, tents, firewood, fuel cans, the "bucket". anything fairly light / hazardous goes up there.

general duty: furnaiture, boxes, bags of mulch, pipe, lumber, steel, auto parts like steering racks. i use my roof rack alot when i dont want things inside my vehicle.

the furniature was a funny story. a box that was about 4 feet square and 5 feet high, containing a recliner, wouldnt fit in the back, so i had the guys toss it up top. i drove really slow on the way home, worked out great!

i dont even have a "heavy duty" roof rack. my surco flexes quite a bit, but its still plenty great for everything i put it through!

 

[Forum Ninja]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Sorry for not replying sooner, been away with work.

Some really nice looking racks there (and rigs). Making me quite jealous :drool:

I'm sure I could find use for one, but not convinced I really need one at the mo as there'll typically only be two of us going away in it. Think it's best to finish setting up the van and see how I go for storage and carrying capacity and then get a rack sorted if needed.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[96discoXD]

I have a Yakima Mega Warrior rack mounted on top of my ARE DCU topper. It has a couple lights on the front, and I have two of the large action packers that fit perfectly on it that will be used to carry all my clothes, sleeping bags, pillows, camp chairs etcetera that are fairly lightweight.

I may put a floor on the rack to make it easier to carry smaller stuff too.

I also have fabricated brackets to carry a shovel, axe, and a hi-lift jack on the other side.

While in camp I will use it to attach my tarp/awning to for shelter.