Are roof racks really worth it?

[NatersXJ6]

I feel the side winds more than wind resistance with the tents on top. That would matter in Wyoming on the highways!

Nobody has mentioned that the Jeep just looks a hell of a lot better with the Gobi rack. I'm pretty well locked into not removing the top thanks to the wife and kids, but I might rethink the look with the top down?

Either rack or trailer, both will sell very easily if you change your mind. At most you lose a few hundred bucks, which is about like renting either for a few months...

 

[Yarjammer]

I love my Gobi (this is my second one) and couldn't imagine not having one. I like the idea of a trailer, but would consider it an "and" instead of an "or." I didn't notice a significant mpg loss until I added an RTT and an awning on the side; even then it was only a 1-2mpg loss. I don't run carpets and run larger tires so any additional wind noise from it is indistinguishable.

Regarding your concerns about a 300# dynamic load rating... Most racks are only rated for 150#. I would get tired of loading stuff up there long before I hoisted 300# up there. I think the most I have managed to load up there was ~200#. When parked you can load up to 800#! Before my RTT, I would haul two chairs and cooler up top and enjoy the elevated view or take pictures.

If properly loaded with the bulk of the weight in front of the rear axle it doesn't handle too bad, even with stock the suspension. I'm not going to lie, it can get dicey if you're making any erratic lane changes or fast turns with a decent amount of weight but you learn the limits fairly quickly and adjust accordingly. Unladen, you don't even notice it's there. Those who are concerned with COG being dramatically altered are generally those who run their vehicles in nearly stock form. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this, but it is also a reflection on their sensitivity to vehicle dynamics. Everyone has a personal level of comfort with different alterations or modifications to what the OEM intended.

The increased height is a genuine concern that I generally recommend people figure out before making the investment. Take note of the clearances of places you frequent on and off the trail. Will your vehicle clear your garage if you park in it? Will the addition of a rack preclude you from going up to the next size tire due to clearance concerns? I think it is a tossup between the MBRP and the Gobi for holding tightest to the roof line. If you are running a OEM style soft top and like to raise and lower it frequently, I would steer clear of the Gobi. I have an Off Road Heros top that rolls vice flips thus allowing me to go topless without having to mess with the rack.

 

[kojackJKU]

I have been debating the Bajarack or surco. I like the surco because it's quick on and off when I need it only. All other times its off the rig. My trailer is my pop up camper, so, when I am taking that, put on the rack for our gear and go.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: If you bought a jeep to use as an off-road explorer/camper/treker--YES a roof rack is worth the money, but

There are probably 10 different rack mfgs and 50 different configurations, so the purchase/use of the rack takes a lotta homework, otherwise you'll hate/never useit, or feel like you wasted your money-

My rack and trailer have been used for many different purposes over the last 5 years and I don't regret any ofit-

Other than a labratory test, my rack has no effect on mileage and the trailer costs about 1-1/2mpg-

If you bought a jeep to ENJOY the off-road, was it worth it ?

Whatever you do to that jeep requires THOUGHT, so that you won't regret the money spent, don'tchathink ?

Whatever-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[kojackJKU]

I thought the sole purpose of backwoods travel is to fit into tight places as compact as possible.. For instance.. While in WV the trail we took (New River Gorge) had fallen trees and other obstacles in the way.. If one was to enter this trail with the roof rack.. they would have to stop ever 10 mins and cut (using a chain saw) something out of the way.. This is one reason one should storage items within the the cargo area as well as within the roll cage.. But the displacement of these items is also important.. One might even have to relocate items forward more toward the engine area. Hence the 07 - 010 Wranglers have a 10'' gap (give or take) between the engine and radiator.. A perfect spot for the ViAir system.. which currently is in the back of the jeep. I'm not saying that I don't like the roof racks.. But in my current condition.. I would never be able to remove anything from the roof.

No, the purpose of backwood/overland travel is to see many many places you would not see otherwise. I could care less if I can fit into the tightest places possible. that sounds more like rock crawling to me. spend all day going 2 miles. Not my cup of tea.

 

[mtbxj87]

I like mine. I don't use it a lot, for my application it looks good (IMO). Even with it on I can get 22mpg highway.
I plan on reinforcing this so I can carry more weight and stand on it, great for star gazing.

 

[OilfieldCowboy]

I love my Gobi (this is my second one) and couldn't imagine not having one. I like the idea of a trailer, but would consider it an "and" instead of an "or."

This is a good point. I was discussing it with my wife yesterday as she had this idea last fall that we make it a goal to visit and explore every National Park in the US and do it using the Jeep as much as possible. She mentioned the roof rack so she would feel more comfortable taking her turn behind the wheel since she isn't comfortable with puling trailers.

Which means a Gobi roof rack will be purchased here this spring some time. Have to get that prior to doing suspension so I can weigh the jeep fully loaded to figure out the spring rate I'll be getting.

 

[AngryRedBird]

Cowboy.. I like that dream and after telling my wife about this post.. she is still convinced that we need a trailer.. yet we may get the HighRock Storage system/tray.. As for the trailer.. and this may sound weird.. But we're looking at a smaller motorcycle pull along.. just to stores a few things like out cooking supplies and small grill, cause I don't care to much for the burnt/chard smell of the grill in the cargo area.

 

[slvyj]

Love my Gobi rack. I had it installed at the factory for free, for I live close to Denver. After it was installed, the guy from Gobi was going over it with me and I asked about the 300# rating for it has a warning label sticker. He said they have to put that on there for legal reasons, in reality the rack could support the weight of the Jeep if you role over.

I debated going with a trailer but in the end went with rack. About half the price plus in Colorado you have to pay a yearly registration fee/tax for a trailer, which can get expensive.

 

[Imnosaint]

I considered Gobi, a fan of their construction and coverage, but I calculated what would be going up top, plus the type of roads I'm navigating, much off-camber, and decided to scale down the size of rack.

I went with a Garvin sport rack, given the sparse cargo room of my rig, it allowed for recovery essentials to be stowed on top, freeing up interior space. It can be configured to create different kinds of rack-mounting options and that appealed to me. It also serves as a mount for the awning. (And I realize this application for the H3 is much simpler than mounting a rack on a JK.)

Really, for anyone sorting out a rig, it boils down to your own needs and preferences. I'm surrounded by JKs with Gobi racks that are more jewelry than pragmatic, keeping up with the driveway darlings versus spinning the rig on the outback for a period of time to see what's really needed. So, it's not a this-versus-that, or what's-worth-it, it's a matter of detailing your needs and forecasting your trips, and no one can do that other than you.

 

[rlynch356]

I am going with a rack for the following stuff... kayaks, paddle boards, firewood, maxtraxx, awning(s), and other stuff either i don't want in the jeep or need for activities.

 

[wild1]

I have a 2006 LJ I bought new also, we are in a pretty elite club. I have a Congo cage and a basket that I generally run with my soft top. It works ok as you can pull the basket off when you don't need it and the cage doesn't really hurt the mileage. I also put a set of bolt on gutter mounts on the hardtop and just use a set of Yakima bars. They work fine and coupled with my Yakima top box provide a much better storage option then the rack and goes on or off in minutes. Doesn't look as cool though!

 

[tgreening]

I've had both, across multiple platforms, and my opinion is this. A small rack is ok, for things you pretty much want to be there all the time, and sucks as a place to load and unload crap. A place to mount some lights or an awning? Ok. Loading up coolers, chairs, action packers, etc? Blows great big goats. I'll take a small covered utility type trailer any day of the week over a roof top rack. I can load/unload at pretty much waist level and never have my feet leave the ground or my arms lift anything over my head while staggering up the ladder I'd most likely need to get anything up on a rack. I can lock it all inside the trailer and dump the whole nine yards at a camp site somehwere and drive away from it. Also a reason I'd never have another RTT, mounted on the roof.

There has NEVER been an occasion where I thought "dang, sure wish I had a roof rack instead of this M416". The best setup I had for hauling crap was my M416, with a roof rack on it. Best of both right there.

 

[libarata]

The rack is worth every penny, if you cannot afford the trailer. I use my rack weekly for various things.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I couldn't survive without both trailer/rack-

Since the above, I've re-suspended/re-tired the trailer/jeep and added the Tepui RTT to the trailer-

Info later
:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO