wilderness roofrack - how stable is it?

[ox4mag]

This is an interesting topic because I once owned a Kargomaster and now have the Garvin Wilderness Rack on my 05 TJ. The Kargomaster was lighter than the Wilderness Rack because the tubing is hollow whereas the Wilderness rack is a sold construction. The Kargomaster rack was much easier to 'swivel', meaning that if you have a soft top and you want to take the top off, all you have to do is unbolt the two bolts in the front that are mounted to the windshield, then pull the Kargomaster rack backwards as it 'swivel's 90 degrees, then open your soft top. With the Wilderness rack, you have to unbolt the rack from the carrier in the front, then unbolt the frame from two bolts that are drilled into your body (yes, you have drill into your Jeep in order to use the Garvin setup), to then 'swivel' the setup in order to open your top. It's more time consuming and since the rack is heavier, you have to have two people doing this or you just won't get it off.

With that said, for the price, Kargomaster is hands-down a better option as you can get the rack for $300 or less, and another $200 gets you the roof rack to go with it. Garvin's setup costs twice as much though the construction is top-notch as the welds are fine quality and the design is more aesthetically pleasing that the Kargomaster for some people.

I'm going to be doing an official 'review' of the Wilderness rack in the Apr/May issue of JPFreek so check it out then.

Frank

 

[pwc]

Isaac doesn't mind drilling into his truck. He did that within 2 months of owning it.

Tough call......The Kargomaster sounds simplier, but I know you're going to bash the crap out of it.

 

[86cj]

I have been riding the fence about a roof rack myself, I had visions of a Maggiolina on top of my LJ before I saw the price. Not to many racks offer the big load capacity that would be needed. I even had thoughts about making one, so thanks for sharing....

I have webwheeled the stability subject to death and have not ridden in a Jeep with a rack. It seems to me the actual amount of wind noise and poor handling is one of those things that you have to just do and decide for yourself if you can tolerate the trade offs..

I am already half deaf and drive (like I understand the Jeep thing) so a roof rack may work for me..

I would like to see one of the TOPFIVE racks in person:

http://www.topfiveracks.com/unlimited.asp

 

[ox4mag]

I will mention that it doesn't seem like the road noise with the Garvin rack is substantial. I've driven at speeds in excess of 75 mph and it's not very noticeable at all (and I'm not deaf). Also, one of the nice things about the Garvin setup is that the payload is pretty substantial. I imagine the roof rack will hold at least several hundred lbs. of gear no problem.

 

[kd_walmsley]

SeaRubi,

I use a Kargomaster Congo Cage without the Bushman Steel Rack on a Wrangler with great success. The marketing terms are rather silly. The “Congo Cage” is the rack portion and the “Bushman Steel Rack” is actually the basket portion.

I carry my two person folding tent cot, 10’x10’ E-Z Up instant shelter, a very light weight folding table, two very light weight folding chairs, and two light weight backpacks. This load/rack combination has easily survived low difficulty American trails ranging from Fins and Things to Hell’s Revenge. This setup is completely painless on routes like the White Rim Trail.

At a svelte, ballerina like 127 kilos/280 lbs. And 1.9m/6’3” tall I do not have any problems climbing around on the rack for picture taking and route viewing. The weakest point is where the rear rack mounts bolt to the tub. Use a backing plate to distribute the stress and periodically check the boltholes in the tub for elongation.

Everyone has different loading techniques that suit their preferences/experience/mission requirements. I prefer not to use the popular rimmed metal basket. Composite decking or Mo-Mat and a fanatical dedication to checking tie down straps works well for me.

I also enjoy the easy of lifting the rack to drop the soft top. It is a very simple operation as previously described. The noise generated by a roof rack is a non-issue for me. A leaf sprung, aggressive tread, large tire, soft top, enhanced cooling system, modified motor and exhaust jeep, is simply never going to be a quiet vehicle. If you need a quiet vehicle, look into the Toyotas. They are fantastic light duty trucks.

I am sorry I cannot help you with a rack-to-rack comparison, as Kargomaster is the only commercial brand I have experience with.

Safe Travels,

Kevin

 

[Gear]

I still perfer my custom rack. On my 97 TJ I had the rack and rear basket made for $600. Built in a day, simply awesome. The center bar was removable and I could drop the soft top without having to remove anything other then the center bar.

My latest rack has several cool features. Yakima size tubing allows for mtn. bike, kayak, Thule box, and the aluminum panel to be easily attached and removed. I made the front opening so the windshield can be lowered. The top center and rear bars simply unbolt so I can slide my hardtop in and out. Here are the photographs. This rack was $1000.

 

[toyrunner95]

i had a wilderness sport rack on my 4runner, it was kinda small but it held what i needed to haul. i think it was rated up to like 600 pounds or something, didnt make too much difference in noise or gas milage and i kept my spare tire up there 24/7. drove from pullman to auburn at least 4 times a year without any rattles wind noise or anything. i would buy another one if i had the chance.

wish i still had the truck for that matter.

 

[86cj]

Thanks again Gear, Those are some good shots, nice rig......

Your rack is the best execution I have seen and inspires me, any pics of the rear leg mounting?

Let's see the bender, die and tubing cost about the same as having it made....Yep, I'm one more pic from talking myself into it.....

I can imagine how well it works, the one and only time I was in Moab (mid Sept) I opened the sun rider once and never put top down. My soft top and the Moab diner were the only shade I could find, in the 100's all week.

 

[Beowulf]

May be if we all keeping buggin Safety Devices they will make this one.

I would chop off the bar over the rear fender and one going down to the rocker guard. This is meant as an exo cage and I only need a rack.

 

[Beowulf]

 

[86cj]

Beowulf,

Great pics, I have one far away pic of that rack and did not know who made it.......

Thanks for sharing,,, Good info!!