JK/Gobi Roof Rack/ RTT

[JKJenn]

I love my Gobi rack, both functionally and aesthetically. However, getting the tent mounted is a real pain. Perhaps someone has found an easier way to mount? The problem is how hard it is to the mounting hardware, and I have pretty small hands, even for a woman.

I am going to be mostly mounting to my trailer now, but would like to have the option of mounting to the JK without it taking hours to get on and off the rack due to hard to reach hardware.

 

[pilosopo]

What I did is I ordered two Gobi cross bars.

I bolted the tent to those leaving them permanently mounted to the bottom of the tent.

When it comes time to mount the tent, it's much easier to reach the cross bar bolts than the tent mounting hardware. 4 bolts, and its done.

Thought there's a weight limit, the tent is still resting on the crossbars that are already there, so in fact, the per bar load is actually lower.

 

[Judoka]

When I used my RTT I had Thule towers mounted on the rack and then Thule cross bars to the tent. Unlock the bars from the towers and move tent. Easy.

 

[JKJenn]

Both are great suggestions, thanks. Seems like the Gobi cross bars would be the cheaper way to go unless I could find Thule/Yakima on CL. Although, the Thule/Yakima solution could make it easy to mount on both the trailer and the trailer....

I knew there had to be a better way than how I had been doing it!

 

[dstock]

Both are great suggestions, thanks. Seems like the Gobi cross bars would be the cheaper way to go unless I could find Thule/Yakima on CL. Although, the Thule/Yakima solution could make it easy to mount on both the trailer and the trailer....

I knew there had to be a better way than how I had been doing it!

I tried the Yakima rack mounts on my Gobi because my cargo box was too small to reach the built in Gobi crossbars. I wasn't thrilled with the fit and ended up buying a bigger cargo box that would reach the bars on the rack. I would tend towards the Gobi crossbars if it were me, they have to mount better than the Yakima ones. Haven't tried the Thule mounts so can't speak to those.

 

[wanabxtrm]

I don't have an rtt but undo have a gobi w/ yakima bars (I had gobi build it without their normal crossbars). The older style clamps fit substantially better than the newer style (I tried both prior to purchase), and 5 yrs in I have yet to have a problem.

 

[Longtallsally]

How does the Jeep handle with the RTT on there? And how big a hit on economy did you take? I recently put a rack with a basket (just a simple Yakima deal) and it killed economy and in high winds forced me to downshift a bunch. It made me VERY glad I didn't get a rack and instead went the camper route, but sometimes it is fun to think about the original plan.

The little rack costs me around 2 mpg and the afore mentioned drivability concerns. The camper costs me 3-5 mpg (depending on having the bike and a full water load as well as the whole family in the Jeep) but is INFINITELY more comfy and with the brake controller, minimal drivability impact (aside from going a bit slower). Since it takes minutes to hook up the camper and go, and with a rack, I'll always have the hit on economy, I just can't see it as worthwhile. Plus, our camper was only about $2k more than a Gobi and a RTT.

 

[pilosopo]

How does the Jeep handle with the RTT on there? And how big a hit on economy did you take? I recently put a rack with a basket (just a simple Yakima deal) and it killed economy and in high winds forced me to downshift a bunch. It made me VERY glad I didn't get a rack and instead went the camper route, but sometimes it is fun to think about the original plan.

The little rack costs me around 2 mpg and the afore mentioned drivability concerns. The camper costs me 3-5 mpg (depending on having the bike and a full water load as well as the whole family in the Jeep) but is INFINITELY more comfy and with the brake controller, minimal drivability impact (aside from going a bit slower). Since it takes minutes to hook up the camper and go, and with a rack, I'll always have the hit on economy, I just can't see it as worthwhile. Plus, our camper was only about $2k more than a Gobi and a RTT.

I know it's there but it doesn't really affect the Jeep. I have had the Jeep pretty far off camber without issue... I'm aware of it, but a bit more caution when off-road and it seems to be a non issue where I go.

In the case of my Jeep, a Rubicon with 4.10 gears and a manual transmission, I had no real change in my fuel economy with the roof rack and tent. 16mpg mixed driving all day everyday, nearly 18 on a long flat stretch at 65mph.

I really only lost mpg when I upgraded to 33s, maybe a half to one gallon or so

In high winds though, I've been in third/fourth gear or so barely able to go 45/50 when in a headwind. Crosswinds I've driven straight down the road but with the wheel at like 15 degrees of center.

Honestly though, I've had the same issues without the tent on as well coming through Palm Springs.

I think with my 3.8, and my gearing, I'm spinning so many rpm at freeway speed that the tent has little effect on fuel economy.


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