JKs with RTTs. What rack to use?

[Longtallsally]

I'm pretty against (for my personal taste) "permanent" racks like the Gobi, Garvin, or whatever due to driveability and economy hits you take with them. Even with the weaksauce below Yakima one, I lost 2-3 mpg at anything over 50 mph. On a 1k mile trip, that's a spicy meatball and actually comes close to the hit I take when towing our 3500 lb camper. The camper is infinitely more comfy than a jungle gym and can do some mild off road.

So if you are still thinking about a rack that is not permanent, make sure to get the Yakima one based on the Q Towers and not the rain gutter mount as they are really weak as has already been stated.

My dreamy dream right now is one of those Ursa Minor J30 things. I used to not like them, but the more I think about it, the more I like them. Frankly, they can be had for not too much more that a RTT and a rack. OK, well maybe double depending on your tent, but still, it's a lot cooler and I don't think would kill the economy near as bad as a sail like a rack and tent.

 

[bradfordrovers]

Boy, I definitely agree with you there. I did a road trip from Boulder to Seattle last year without the Gobi rack, and returned almost 18mpg. I did the same trip 2 weeks ago with the Gobi rack and a roof tent, and got 13!!

 

[Longtallsally]

Yeah the high quality racks look really cool (I could care less about that) and are WAY functional a la my old YJ:

The last 2 is how I drove drove cross country after grad school. However, I was younger, single, etc... Now I have to be a bit more practical with my cars, and though racks, big tires, lifts, etc. look really cool, they really are money wasted (other than for aesthetics) for me.

 

[Yulli]

My jeep already gets about 14mpg just with the 35s and regearing. Though, I have the 3.8 turd. So adding a rack is going to suck. But I'm kind of leaning towards getting a RTT.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: What was the ratio that you regeared to ??

My jeep already gets about 14mpg just with the 35s and regearing. Though, I have the 3.8 turd. So adding a rack is going to suck. But I'm kind of leaning towards getting a RTT.

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Yulli]

5:13

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Thanx Rubi, that was about the best you could do to-

5:13

Trouble is, when you goto 35s, especially if you have an auto===you're still starving the 3.8L, which is a great engine otherwise-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Yulli]

It shifts perfect and everything with those gears. It just not gas friendly. If I go with any rack I think of I'm also considering maybe upgrading my air intake and exhaust to see if it'll help balance it out. I know it won't do much but I'm sure it'll help with some better performance.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Not much I'm afraid, it'll cost you a buncha bucks for neglible improvement-

Thats why I stayed under 34" tires and went with 5.38s for my auto/w Flowmaster dual cat-back, she stays in O/D unless I Go up a long hill, I can even tow my trailer in O/D on level freeway and get 14.9mpg, however

I only did that to see if it was possible and don't normally because the tranny heat buids up to fast, so I stay in 3rd gear and go 65 mph-

My avg at 70mph(non-towing),in O/D is 17.2 mpg-but

My jeep is for off-road-just about 7 years old now--notta DD and don't see hiwy much-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[grogie]

I love my Gobi stealth rack
it fits in the garage during wintertime with 3.5" lift and 35" AT's
View attachment 204927

Wow! What a cool setup, camping spot and photo. :exclaim:

 

[Septu]

Not much I'm afraid, it'll cost you a buncha bucks for neglible improvement-

Thats why I stayed under 34" tires and went with 5.38s for my auto/w Flowmaster dual cat-back, she stays in O/D unless I Go up a long hill, I can even tow my trailer in O/D on level freeway and get 14.9mpg, however

I only did that to see if it was possible and don't normally because the tranny heat buids up to fast, so I stay in 3rd gear and go 65 mph-

My avg at 70mph(non-towing),in O/D is 17.2 mpg-but

My jeep is for off-road-just about 7 years old now--notta DD and don't see hiwy much-
JIMBO

Jim, how heavy is your trailer? 500 lbs loaded?

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: It's a 600lb basic Tentrax and with all the mods I've added and loaded with all camping gear-

Jim, how heavy is your trailer? 500 lbs loaded?

It's avg 1150 lbs-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Septu]

It's a 600lb basic Tentrax and with all the mods I've added and loaded with all camping gear-

It's avg 1150 lbs- JIMBO

Crazy how much that crap adds up. My m101 loaded is only ~1300 lbs.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: YUP, we probably don't need half ofit, untill that one time --

Crazy how much that crap adds up. My m101 loaded is only ~1300 lbs.

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Potatonator]

I have the front runner slim line track rack. Super easy remove it for road trips, bars are very adjustable. Hauls my RTT with no problems. But you have to drill holes! I have not had any problems yet and love how I can remove it by myself.