Are roof racks really worth it?

[ZMagic97]

I have a roof rack for my better half and I to use the RTT on. I may get a trailer later, but they cost a LOT more for what I want. I like the rack more due to the ease of movement and always having it. Also, my JK is not a DD.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: My jeep isn't a DD either, but

I have a roof rack for my better half and I to use the RTT on. I may get a trailer later, but they cost a LOT more for what I want. I like the rack more due to the ease of movement and always having it. Also, my JK is not a DD.

Having the RTT on top the jeep restricts everything I use the jeep for, besides it's to high for my wife and I can leaveit on the trailer 24/7 !

Gotta haveit on the trailer !

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[kayadog]

I have a cheap Rage cargo rack on my Liberty and had a Surco rack on my XJ and ZJ. I use the rack for bikes, kayaks, surf rods, paddle boards, and anything that is too big or too dirty to put in the Jeep. Without a doubt they are my most useful modifications.

 

[Yarjammer]

As an alternative to the Gobi for those of you with OEM style soft tops that flip back, LOD just came out with a pretty cool sliding rack comparable to the Gobi. Had this been out when I was in the market I would have strongly considered this one.

http://www.lodoffroad.com/xcart/product.php?printable=Y&productid=16251

 

[Lucky j]

Can this be done with the rack loaded?

I used to run a roof rack on my YJ for ski box in winter and kayaks and other things in summer. The rack was removed and never put back once I was able to outfit my trailer with rack bars. Was the only thing missing to carry the yaks around, I already had an extentable draw bar for that purpose. Noe that I got a TJ unlimited, would like to get one, but no way that I would empty the rack to open or close the soft top.

With the YJ, the rack was remaining in place to do this. So I think I'm stock with the trailer for good.

As an alternative to the Gobi for those of you with OEM style soft tops that flip back, LOD just came out with a pretty cool sliding rack comparable to the Gobi. Had this been out when I was in the market I would have strongly considered this one.

http://www.lodoffroad.com/xcart/product.php?printable=Y&productid=16251

 

[Comanche Scott]

That's not much of a concern in Wyoming.

What an awesome picture and a beautiful LJ. Those are such cool Jeeps! :beer:

I would agree with the "and" statement, others are making.
I currently have a Yakima rack system, and mount up a long Rocket Box on the cross bars for camping. Had this on the '04 Grand Cherokee and it worked out awesome. I keep the "all up" weight max to 150 lbs (which is a lot of stuff). The down side is, it only works with the hardtop.
Since I don't have a pickup anymore, the plan is to get a utility trailer for home use, and double it up as a "camping trailer" with a pop-top camper, for longer camping trips.
Anything you can do to keep the heavy stuff low, will pay dividends when you hit off camber/side hill trails.
Might check some of the stuff that jscherb has engineered. He has sold a lot of his designs to companies. Those companies are producing this stuff for a reasonable price too.

 

[camodog]

The sliding LOD roofrack looks awesome.

 

[Septu]

They have their place... It all depends on what exactly you want it for. Personally I would just use it for my kayak... so I go without, and tie it down to my pillar guards (in the front) and to the spare tire in the rear and use foam pads for the kayak right on the hardtop. Kinda a pain when you want to get into the rear, but it's worked for me so far. If I have the soft top, I'll put it down and carry it on the stock 'cage' or if the weather looks meh, put on my bikini top to keep me more or less dry, then put the kayak on the cage.

I'd like a rack at some point... but have yet to actually "need" one... nor can I make up my mind on what I want (something just for the HT, or something that works with the soft top)... so for now, I spend my money elsewhere.

 

[kayadog]

To me, the inability to cheaply and easily mount a rack is a major drawback to a JK.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: You think that the most expensive jeep ever produced (JK/JKU) has a drawback because you can't put a CHEAP trinket onit ???

To me, the inability to cheaply and easily mount a rack is a major drawback to a JK.

Sorry to hear-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[kayadog]

Not sure what "trinket onit" means exactly, but yes, having to spend $500-$1000 plus dollars to purchase a roof rack that allows the removeable top to be utilized immediately after buying a $35,000 vehicle does limit a JK's utility for me. I live in a cold, wet climate and carrying kayaks, boards, and mountain bikes on the roof is much more important to me than taking the top off. I also prefer to not to drill holes into my $35,000 Jeep as a lot of racks require, don't care for excessive wind noise, and don't want my Jeep to look like a jungle gym.

Don't get me wrong. I love JK's and will likely buy one but it's a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to carry crap on steel roofed Jeep.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Well, that answers my post-

Not sure what "trinket onit" means exactly, but yes, having to spend $500-$1000 plus dollars to purchase a roof rack that allows the removeable top to be utilized immediately after buying a $35,000 vehicle does limit a JK's utility for me. I live in a cold, wet climate and carrying kayaks, boards, and mountain bikes on the roof is much more important to me than taking the top off. I also prefer to not to drill holes into my $35,000 Jeep as a lot of racks require, don't care for excessive wind noise, and don't want my Jeep to look like a jungle gym.

Don't get me wrong. I love JK's and will likely buy one but it's a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to carry crap on steel roofed Jeep.

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[kayadog]

That sliding rack shown above is awesome but it starts at $1500 on sale!

 

[unkamonkey]

I come from the other end of this, I have gone out for well over a week with what I could carry on my back. 2 of us have gone to Moab and camped out of my CJ3B for a week during Thanksgiving. Having children would certainly throw another wrench in the works. I don't remember the 4 of us in the family having too much of an issue while camping out of our "55 Pontiac.

 

[Mitch502]

I will have one for this reason...http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/my-zj-awning-1533661/

I like the idea of not having poles. Mine will be slightly larger probably. But that is a ways off...