2007 Wrangler safari rack

[TexasTJ]

I have a 2 door 2007 jeep wrangler that im going to be useing for Camping (don't want to drive across mexico in a 98 Tj on 35's). Right now im looking into two difrent ways for packing my gear, ether a M416 Trailer or a roof rack.
I wanted to see if anyone has any experience with racks for the JK. I have lookied at the rack from "JK Rack" and "Warrior Products" safari rack. I like the Worrior racks price (around $500.00), but it dose not lend its self to haveing a ladder added and it dose not tilt back like other racks. So anyway if there are any other options out there on rack I am game.

This is the worrior rack1

and the JK Rack

 

[Metcalf]

I'm a pretty minimalistic type traveler.

I don't like roof racks because they add the weight in the worse possible area. The weight is over your head changing the CoG as much as possible.

If you need space for extra gear think about it like this. What you you rather do if you had to pack 200lbs around. Would you want to pack it around on your back, or would you want to pull in in a cart?

Spreading larger loads like that out over another axle is only going to make your drive train last longer. Personally I think its much less hard for the jeep to pull the weight than to pack it. The downside is that the trailer itself adds weight. I think a nice light trailer is a great choice off road. I would suggest building it with common wheels and tires. That way you can share the spare tire between the two, or if things get really bad you have two more spare tires.

I have seen some pretty neat trailers over the years. One of the best modifications I saw once was a small trailer with a STOUT front a-arm style jack that had a REAL size swiveling tire. The 3rd tire was the same size as the other tires and functioned as the spare tire. It was really neat. You could disconnect from the trailer and pull the trailer with tow line if you had to from firmer ground. Too bad it was before the time of handy camera phones.

Personally I am a pack lighter type person. I can go to Moab for a week with two people in a TJ and not have gear over the tub line. If you start looking around you can find some interesting areas to pack things away in a jeep. Its not like you need to be able to get to every little spare part in less than 2 minutes.

The worst consequence from having too much weight is the degradation in off road performance with every extra pound....especially ones over the rear axle.

 

[adrenaline503]

I agree with metcalf. Make a list of what you to bring, weigh it. Then see much you can carry. Then discard what you need to make weight. Then pack the jeep without a rack or trailer. See how much you have left. Then figure out what to do. If it is a few light things, clothes in drybags on a roof rack is not going to kill you. If you want a RTT and that sort thing, then evaluate your priorities from there. I am a less is more kinda guy myself, especially in a small vehicle.

 

[TexasTJ]

While I agree that keeping the cog low is really inportant from building my Tj, this jeep is as tall as its going to get. (rubicon Coils 255 BFG's) I can fit all my gear in the jeep and not have room for the dog or have the dog and no room for gear. That why Im looking for more room for trips longer than just the weekend.

 

[articulate]

That why Im looking for more room for trips longer than just the weekend.

You ought to look at storage ideas for inside the Jeep. Tuffy drawers, perhaps the Mountaineer Rack, etc.

I agree with these fellas about the roof rack. Geesh, and I have a roof rack on my Jeep. It's a poor place to haul equipment, but they are nice for attaching awnings, affixing radio antennas, shovels and so on. It's a miserable place for coolers, tubs full of cooking equipment, and similar large items that you want to get into with frequency. Not fun to load and unload, you risk piling way too much weight up there and screwing with the handling of the jeep, etc.

Trailer time . . .

 

[TexasTJ]

sounds like a trailers the right idea to me aswell. I should have goton a 4 door and this would not have been a problem

 

[jagular7]

I am building a luggage trailer for my TJ. With one kid, the interior is fine with a wet cooler for drinks, dry cooler for food, cold weather jackets, pillow, overnight bags, etc. the back seat fills up quickly. Then to add, on the trail, the coolers are belted in the seats, but the rest is not. Add another kid (I usually take both) or the entire family (wife decides to come), there is no room in the Jeep. Besides, I can empty my interior for the trails with a trailer as well as make it hold the windows/doors when they come off.

What you are looking for as a trailer has been called several different names, luggage trailer, motorcycle cargo trailer are the most common among many others.

Here is what is cheap to put together and you can do it with simple hand tools. Get a Harbor Freight 40"x48" trailer with either 8" ($140) or 12" ($170) or cheaper with coupon sales. Then add a Sears roof top cargo carrier. There is one on Ebay right now out of Springfield, MO for BIN$300 with a longer tongue. Luggage Trailer
Another one just sold off Ebay for $500 that had the 8" rims, was painted to match a motorcycle, and had some extra sheetmetal for 'flare' as a bed/wheelwell.

I'm putting together a trailer that is left over from the boat trailer. I've got a used Sears roof carrier off CL for $35. I using the back end of the boat trailer. I'm doing the bearings/seals now and looking for better wheels (4on4) for new tires.

I looked around for ideas and came up with many different versions for a box on a rolling frame. For a container, use a whiskey barrel, an antique steamer trunk, an antique wood trunk, aluminum truck bed box, or how about a smaller version of the military M416 Jeep trailer.

I'm thinking of going with the military trailer box. However, I've recently been offered an opportunity to purchase the cut away back end of a TJ. Haven't worked out the cost details, though.
Hope this helps.

 

[stick]

I really don't like how that Warrior Rack1 mounts. You can even see in the pic you posted that the support on the side has buckled the sheet metal a little. Maybe they had something really heavy in the rack, but if you're going to be using it for real camping gear and stuff, I'd want something a little better than that. Get an M416 or M100 if you can. Thats your best route. If not, get a better rack than the Warrior Rack1.

 

[XXXpedition]

i like the idea of the storage box on the hood (or should i say in the hood?)
that keeps the CoG low... :xxrotflma