Gobi Stealth or Rhino Rack Backbone

[BlackRubiX]

I'm in the market for a roof rack and have narrowed it down to either the Gobi Stealth Rack or the Rhino Rack Backbone. I have a 2015 JKUR with a hardtop during the Winter and a Bestop Trektop NX for the summer. Just wondering what owners of either have as pro's and con's. Thanks!

 

[Flyfishjeep]

We love the Gobi Stealth so much we are adding a second on to our latest JK. It is a well thought out rack and has plenty of options to suite your needs. My only complaint (if I was to have one) is that they are built to order and take 5-7 weeks to get (unless you find a used one for sale someplace). The Gobi doesn't attach to the top so it can always be on (with or without a hard or soft top). the ladder is a plus and helps when it comes to loading and unloading. I never really thought I would use it, but I find I am constantly climbing up to move stuff around (great place for star gazing too!). They are not cheap, but I find the construction and fit are excellent.

 

[kojackJKU]

If you are not going to be running really heavy, I would recommend the rhino, its very low profile, i.e. does not hold up wind. Then, if you are not using it, it can be removed easily. If you are going to be carrying a RTT, and LOTS of weight, the GOBI or BAJA rack is my two favorite options.

 

[ZMagic97]

I recently sold my JK that had a Gobi Stealth: great piece of equipment and very well made. I highly recommend it. Keep in mind, you will drop about 4MPG. I know it may sound false, and I didn't believe it until it happened to me.

 

[XVENTURE TRAILERS]

Being a professional user of the Rhino Rack Pioneer Tray with Backbone mounting system for JK with over 32K cross country and off road miles on the system, I can tell you from experience that this system is top-shelf through and through. The ability to remove the JK's top like you normally would without a rack is just where the great features begin. They have thought things through very well, like the the main support beams on the tray run parallel to your vehicle so there is no whistling and minimal wind noise and resistance as with most every competing rack system. Because of this this it provides the best gas mileage of all the racks out there.

Rhino Rack has probably the most extensive line of mounting accessories on the market today as well. I use a wide variety of mounts on the Schutt Rig and everything is plug-and-play. Build quality is stellar, it just doesn't get any better. Aesthetics are the best around over all other rack systems IMHO. Finally, you will find that Rhino Rack is the best priced system available at this time. In stock ready to go.

Here is how it installs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSoeXJbYz6s&feature=youtu.be

 

[kojackJKU]

Love it. thanks for the information and first hand experience. I love the xventure too! that trailer is very very nice.

 

[BlackRubiX]

Being a professional user of the Rhino Rack Pioneer Tray with Backbone mounting system for JK with over 32K cross country and off road miles on the system, I can tell you from experience that this system is top-shelf through and through. The ability to remove the JK's top like you normally would without a rack is just where the great features begin. They have thought things through very well, like the the main support beams on the tray run parallel to your vehicle so there is no whistling and minimal wind noise and resistance as with most every competing rack system. Because of this this it provides the best gas mileage of all the racks out there.

Rhino Rack has probably the most extensive line of mounting accessories on the market today as well. I use a wide variety of mounts on the Schutt Rig and everything is plug-and-play. Build quality is stellar, it just doesn't get any better. Aesthetics are the best around over all other rack systems IMHO. Finally, you will find that Rhino Rack is the best priced system available at this time. In stock ready to go.

Here is how it installs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSoeXJbYz6s&feature=youtu.be

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Looks almost identical to the direction I am going on my JKUR. What lift do you have?

 

[kojackJKU]

Looks almost identical to the direction I am going on my JKUR. What lift do you have?

same here, If I do get bumpers, It will be the warns. They are the ones I keep going back to.

 

[BenHedrick]

I too recommend the Gobi. I've been very happy with it. I'm not running the RTT anymore but still plan on keeping the Gobi.

Ben

 

[XVENTURE TRAILERS]

AEV 2.5 inch

 

[XVENTURE TRAILERS]

One thing I've found is that I don't like the light bars on the roof at the front of the rack anymore. They look cool but in actual use they blast the hood with light too which causes eye fatigue and makes the transision back to vehicle lights even more difficult. Especially on a white rig.

I prefer Intensities on the bumper below the hood line much better.

Thing about that Gobie is the rail across the front is a noise maker and looks best with the lights there.

My 2 cents.

 

[BlackRubiX]

AEV 2.5 inch

35"s or 33"s?

 

[XVENTURE TRAILERS]

33's. With all that stuff I'm dragging around on top of the rig I'm pulling down average 12mpg with trailer loaded to 2k lbs.

Handling is excllent. Much improved over stock.

 

[Yarjammer]

If you like to run a soft top in the summer, Gobi. The #1 problem with Frontrunner, MBRP, and the Rhino is they neuter the best part of owning a Wrangler (removing the top.) The Frontrunner can be run without a hard top but a soft top is a no-go. I've bought two Gobi racks and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a third.

I must provide counterpoint to ZMagic97's claim of a 4mpg loss from mounting a Gobi Stealth. The rack itself with nothing on it will result in a 1-2mpg loss. I found that how you mount the wind deflector plays a part in this. IIRC the bottom of it should be ~1" in front of and above the windshield frame; The initial way I mounted it had me losing an additional mpg and was much noisier. Once you add a light bar and a RTT... now you see a 4mpg loss.

Things to remember if you decide to get a Gobi:
* They are made to order, so the lead time varies.
* You can get it in colors other than black if you ask.
* You can have them configure the windshield mount for a specific lighting setup you have in mind. If you have other minor requests that don't mess with the jig they can usually accommodate.
* Verify your bumper works with the design; some require mods/brackets to fit properly.

 

[XVENTURE TRAILERS]

Again, the Rhino Rack Pioneer Tray with Backbone Mounting System allows removal of the Hard Top as normal. The Backbone System now makes this possible. So you can take the Rhino Rack product off the Neuter list : )