4 Door JLU Gutter Mount Roof Rack?

[Norcal73]

Considering the Rival gutter mount roof rack. Will not be putting an RTT on it but would use for kayak, long Gazelle tent and a box of two for camping. Very hesitant about the gutter mount idea although I see plenty on here with them. Anyone that has a gutter mount rack that can provide any feedback (positive and or negative) would be great. Concerned about kayak in wind putting pressure/pulling up on gutter mounts. Is this a reasonable concern? Thanks in advance.
Similar rack to the below:

 

[rgallant]

Depends on how your gutters are attached and what they are made of. Land Rovers use gutter rack mounts but they are metal gutter like a van and have a pretty decent weight load.

Here is a note from another outfit, Warrior products, that does a gutter mount roof rack

NOTICE TO THE CONSUMER
The design of this rack (P/N 10905) is intended to allow for a bolt-on installation and makes use of the integrated OEM rain gutters in the Jeep JLU hard top for mounting. As such, the OEM rain gutters built into the hard top support the weight of the roof rack and the cargo being carried.

While we have performed significant static load testing with this rack installed on a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JLU we have been unable to collect any conclusive data from FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) that would indicate how continued loading and fatigue may affect the rain gutter over time. We have no reason to believe that proper or reasonable use of this rack system would cause damage to OEM rain gutters or hard top, but we cannot guarantee that under some circumstances the rain gutters or hard top will not fail. A number of external factors (temperature fluctuation, manufacturing variance, UV exposure, improper use, overloading, extreme vibration/jostling, etc.) may contribute to the potential fatigue failure of the OEM rain gutters. These factors are outside of our control and are the responsibility of the user. Warrior Products cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to the vehicle, rack, rain gutters, hard top or other property.

 

[Dan Grec]

I installed the Rhino-Rack backbone on my Gladiator - it goes right through the hard top and the weight is mounted directly to the roll bar.
Personally I would never do anything else - that hard top is only fiberglass (I've cut up a few of them) - and is NOT designed to hold any weight.

-Dan

 

[Norcal73]

Thank you both for the reply. I am skeptical about drilling through hardtop due to leak concerns but thats probably the best option. I have two gutter mount Rhino Rack crossbars now for they kayak but I cringe each time its on there and the wind blows.

Thanks again.

 

[Dan Grec]

Thank you both for the reply. I am skeptical about drilling through hardtop due to leak concerns but thats probably the best option. I have two gutter mount Rhino Rack crossbars now for they kayak but I cringe each time its on there and the wind blows.

Thanks again.

The Rhino-Rack pioneer platform is extremely well thought out and designed.
I installed mine myself, and once I saw what goes into it I had absolutely zero worries of leaks, and never had any, even after 35,000miles of the worst corrugations on earth.

-Dan

 

[johnsen]

I use the DeeZee gutter mount rack when I take longer trips and need to take more stuff, I usually don't leave it on. I'll have a couple pelican boxes packed and my Shiftpod mini tent on there and so far it seems fine, probably 60-75lbs The DeeZee does have feet towards the the edges that contact the roof for extra support though.